Elise Wilson named interim executive director of Development and Alumni
Elise Wilson has been named interim executive director of Development and Alumni at Mississippi University for Women, succeeding Andrea Stevens, who is retiring after a notable two-decade career at the university.
“I am truly honored to step into this new role and carry on the remarkable legacy of my predecessor, Andrea Stevens, who dedicated 20-plus years of service to The W. I look forward to building upon that strong foundation and working to deepen relationships both within our W family and throughout the community,” said Wilson.
As interim director, Wilson will oversee the operations of the Office of Development and Alumni as well as serve as the executive director of the MUW Foundation. Her duties will include managing directors of alumni relations and donor engagement, development and communications and information systems; evaluating personnel performance; acting as the administrative liaison to the MUW Foundation Board of Directors and to the community at large; seeking major gifts and planning, initiating and overseeing all programs of fundraising; and serving on the President’s Cabinet and Administrative Council.
“I look forward to working with Elise as she takes on this additional role,” said W President Nora Miller. “She brings along with her a strong work ethic, exceptional organizational and communication skills, abundant energy, enthusiasm and a great love for The W.”
Wilson will continue to serve as director of the Career Services and Professional Development Center (CSPDC), a role she has held since fall 2023. In this position, she serves as a liaison between the university and its students, alumni and potential employers on a state, regional and national scale. Additionally, she is responsible for developing new contacts with external organizations for the purpose of expanding employment opportunities for students and alumni.
Prior to joining The W in the fall of 2023, Wilson served as the employee engagement manager for Dutch Oil Company. She boasts extensive experience in leadership development, management training and best practices for employee engagement and retention.
Under Wilson’s leadership, the CSPDC experienced an 80% increase in student engagement during the 2024-25 academic year.
Wilson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a Master of Arts degree in Women’s Leadership from The W, and will begin a doctoral program in leadership studies at Louisiana State University Shreveport in the fall of 2025.
An active member of the Columbus community, Wilson is a Rotarian and the 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.