Wilson named executive director for alumni and development
Mississippi University for Women is pleased to announce alumna Elise Wilson has been named executive director for alumni and development.
Wilson, who has served as interim since May 2025, brings a passion for student success and strong community connections to the university’s leadership team.
“I am honored to serve in this role and to continue working alongside colleagues and partners who are committed to advancing our mission,” Wilson said. “Our community is filled with individuals whose passion for this institution runs deep. My focus will be on building intentional collaborations across campus and ensuring we link that passion with purpose—aligning donor interests with meaningful opportunities that directly support our students.”
As executive director, Wilson will lead directors of alumni relations and donor engagement, development, communications and information systems, and career services; evaluate personnel performance; act as the administrative liaison to the MUW Foundation Board of Directors and to the community at large; seek major gifts and planning, initiate and oversee all programs of fundraising; and serve on the President’s Cabinet and Administrative Council.
University President Nora Miller said, “I look forward to working with Elise in this role. Her enthusiasm for students, deep community connections, strong work ethic and exceptional organizational and communication skills make her a great choice for this position. I look forward to her continued work with donors, as well as campus and community partners.”
As an alumna and longstanding member of the university community, Wilson brings institutional knowledge and a track record of fostering collaborative, cross-campus partnerships. Working closely with academic leaders, faculty and community stakeholders, she will guide efforts to strengthen donor relationships and connect philanthropic priorities with the unique needs of the university’s colleges, programs and students.
Ali Glasgow will serve as interim director for the Career Services and Professional Development Center while the search for a permanent director is underway.
Wilson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a Master of Arts degree in Women’s Leadership from The W, and is a doctoral student at Louisiana State University Shreveport.
An active member of the Columbus community, Wilson is a Rotarian, serving on the Board for the Rotary Club of Columbus, an Ambassador for the Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce and is a past president of the United Way of the Golden Triangle Region board. She lives in Columbus with her husband, Nathan, who graduated from The W in 2007, and their three children.