Mohawk Valley Community College has appointed Deanna Ferro-Aurience as Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and the MVCC Foundation, a position confirmed by the MVCC Board of Trustees at their December 2021 meeting.

As executive director, Ferro-Aurience will be responsible for developing and implementing all fundraising and development program and will work with other College leaders to maintain and expand collaborative College-wide development efforts. 

Ferro-Aurience has served the College’s Foundation for the past 16 years, beginning as Events Coordinator before being promoted to Director of Donor Resource and Development and later Director of Development, a position in which she managed high-level donors and grant-funded projects that helped the Foundation achieve key programming goals and build long-term relationships and funding resources. 

“As a former MVCC presidential scholar and student-athlete, Deanna has personally experienced the powerful impact of the MVCC Foundation,” said MVCC President Randall J. VanWagoner, “and her 16-plus years on staff provide her with extraordinary insight and vision to connect with donors and alumni to expand the Foundation’s reach and provide even more students the chance to complete their educational goals.”

Throughout her time at MVCC, Ferro-Aurience has served as Committee Chair and Race Director of the College’s Ted Moore Run/Walk, coordinates the Foundation’s annual Golf Tournament, and assists in the Foundation’s Week of Giving campaigns, resulting in more than $60,000 in annual donations toward scholarships and other funds that are distributed to students in a variety of ways. 

She also manages several grants that benefit MVCC’s thINCubator, including the New York State HotSpot and Federal i6 grants; coordinates the College’s Hall of Fame ceremony; and participates in a multitude of College committees, initiatives, and collegial opportunities. 

Before joining the College, Ferro-Aurience worked at the United Way of the Greater Utica Area as a campaign coordinator and then marketing and communications coordinator. She also served as a tour center and gift shop supervisor and assistant supervisor for Matt Brewing Company. 

She holds a master’s degree in communication from Ithaca College, a bachelor’s degree in communication and advertising management from Marist College, and an associate degree in Media, Marketing, and Management from MVCC.