Morgan State University President Appoints New Administrator to Lead Division of Institutional Advancement

Rutgers University’s Endia DeCordova Named as Morgan’s Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the Morgan State University Foundation  

BALTIMORE — Morgan State University (MSU) President David K. Wilson has announced the appointment of alumna Endia DeCordova, M.B.A., as the university’s new vice president for Institutional Advancement and executive director for the Morgan State University Foundation, Inc. The announcement comes after conducting a comprehensive national search, led by a selection committee in collaboration with an executive search firm. With the appointment, DeCordova will oversee operations for the University’s Division of Institutional Advancement, which includes the Offices of Alumni Relations and Strategic Engagement, Development, and Public Relations and Strategic Communications, in addition to the MSU Foundation and Advancement Services. Beginning on her official start date of July 12, 2023, she will report directly to the president and serve on his Cabinet as a member of the senior administrative team.

“I am very excited to welcome back home one of our own as the newest member of the University’s leadership team. Endia is a consummate professional with great expertise and is capably prepared for the opportunity. She returns to Morgan at an opportune time to lead Institutional Advancement into the next era,” said President Wilson. “I asked the search committee to scour the nation, the world, for the top leaders in this space and they delivered some very strong candidates. After reviewing Endia’s credentials and having had an opportunity to meet with her and discuss our 10-year strategic plan, it became clear to me that hands down she was not only the best person to become a leader at Morgan but was among the best advancement professionals throughout the nation.”

DeCordova comes to Morgan from Rutgers University, Camden, where she currently serves as vice chancellor for Advancement, working on behalf of the institution and the Rutgers University Foundation to advance the campus’s priorities through annual giving, major and principal giving, alumni engagement, and corporate and foundation relations. Prior to her time at Rutgers, she served as assistant vice president for Development and Strategic Initiatives for the University of Connecticut Foundation, Inc. In all, she brings nearly two decades of leadership experience in institutional advancement, primarily in the higher education sector, with positions held at Mitchell College as vice president of Advancement, Georgian Court University as assistant vice president of Development, and Manchester Community College as dean of Institutional Advancement and Community Engagement.

In her new capacity as Morgan’s vice president for Institutional Advancement, in addition to leading a combined staff of nearly 40 people, DeCordova will be responsible for leading the university’s fundraising, alumni engagement, marketing and communications, which includes managing campaigns, special events, the annual fund, major and estate planned gifts, corporate and foundation relations, constituent relations, prospect management, gift processing and acknowledgement, strategic communications and publications. She will serve as a member of the university’s senior administration leadership team and will work closely with the president, the Board of Regents, the Foundation Board, other senior administrators, faculty and staff to achieve Morgan State University’s strategic goals.

“I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to come back home to my alma mater to lead the Division of Institutional Advancement and continue to align its good work under the leadership and vision of President Wilson during the next phase of Morgan’s growth. Serving as the division’s next vice president affords me the chance to advance the university and to pay it forward,” said DeCordova. “Witnessing the tremendous growth and impact Morgan has made as a ‘National Treasure’ and Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University gives me great pride. I am thrilled to continue the work of my predecessor and collaborate with university leadership, faculty, staff, students, alumni, volunteers, industry, and the community. It is my honor to help lead and strengthen the culture of philanthropy and accelerate the upward trajectory of Morgan.”

As a class of 1999 graduate of Morgan State University DeCordova received her B.S. in Communications/Public Relations. She would matriculate on to receive her Master of Business Administration, Marketing Management from the University of Hartford’s Barney School of Business.

Endia DeCordova replaces Donna Howard, who retired from the University in January 2023. Since Howard’s retirement, the Division of Institutional Advancement has advanced under the interim leadership of Tara Turner, who had served as the assistant vice president for Development under Howard.

The Division of Institutional Advancement is committed to informing, engaging, partnering with and securing financial support from a diverse spectrum of audiences through strategically aligned communications, engagement initiatives and philanthropic opportunities. It is charged with the task of building lifelong relationships that engage the time, loyalty and intellectual and financial resources of individuals and institutions in support of Morgan’s mission, goals and aspirations. 

About Morgan 

Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

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Media Contacts:

Larry Jones or Dell Jackson, for University PR
443-885-3022