Vice President of University Advancement

California State University, Chico (Chico State) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kristine Mazzei as Vice President of University Advancement and CEO of the University Foundation, effective October 27, 2025. Mazzei will lead Chico State’s comprehensive advancement efforts, which include fundraising, alumni and public engagement, marketing and communications, and the stewardship of the University Foundation. In this role, she will partner with President Perez and leaders across campus to elevate Chico State’s visibility, deepen alumni and donor engagement, and lead its most ambitious campaign yet, Decide the Future. 

Mazzei brings more than two decades of experience in higher education and nonprofit advancement, with a proven track record of building high-performing teams, securing transformational gifts, and leading successful fundraising campaigns. Most recently, she served as Vice President for Central Development at the University of New Mexico Foundation, where she oversaw fundraising teams that achieved record growth in planned giving, corporate and foundation support, and museum, performing arts and athletics funding. 

Her appointment marks a return to Chico State, where she held development leadership rolesfrom 2014-2018. During that time, she helped launch the university’s first comprehensive campaign, Transform Tomorrow, closed foundational philanthropic commitments, and introduced innovative donor engagement strategies. 

Mazzei earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Bucknell University and her Master of Science degree from the University of California, Davis. 

Rachel Ellenport led this search with Christina Garrison and Megan Gorman.