PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Andrew B. Shaindlin, a leader in strategic alumni engagement with extensive experience at major research universities, has been appointed Brown University’s next vice president for alumni relations, effective Dec. 3, 2018.

In his role, Shaindlin will oversee all aspects of alumni relations for the University, creating and directing a comprehensive program of events, activities and organizations to engage Brown’s community of more than 90,000 alumni across the world. He’ll serve as chief liaison to the Brown Alumni Association and provide leadership, vision and direction to the alumni relations staff in the Division of Advancement.

Shaindlin is a Class of 1986 graduate of Brown who served previously from 1989 to 1996 as the University’s associate director of alumni relations and director of alumni education.

Senior Vice President for Advancement Sergio Gonzalez said that Shaindlin’s experience and accomplishments make him an ideal fit to serve as Brown’s next alumni relations leader.

“Support and leadership from Brown’s community of accomplished alumni are instrumental in sustaining and expanding on academic excellence across the University,” Gonzalez said. “Andy brings tremendous vision and a track record of innovation to this role that will help us shape and execute best-in-class alumni programs.”

Most recently, Shaindlin has served as vice president for Grenzebach Glier and Associates, a philanthropy-management consulting firm, where he advised schools, colleges, universities and other nonprofits across the globe on alumni engagement strategies.

Previously, he was associate vice president for alumni relations and annual giving at Carnegie Mellon University, where he led a team of 26 in global outreach and annual fundraising for 100,000 alumni worldwide. Among other responsibilities, he directed a wide range of engagement efforts from global events and alumni communications to volunteer development, student engagement and alumni outreach.

Before joining Carnegie Mellon, Shaindlin served as executive director of the California Institute of Technology’s Caltech Alumni Association. From 1996 to 1999, he worked at the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan, first as director of alumni education and travel and subsequently as senior director for alumni programs.

Throughout his 29-year career, he has been a frequent speaker and author on topics related to global nonprofit strategy and the effects of technology on organizations and their communities. In 2007, he launched Alumni Futures, a website devoted to the alumni relations profession and covering new directions and innovative ideas for nonprofit professionals.

Shaindlin has also chaired the Commission on Alumni Relations for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and served on the CASE Board of Trustees.

He said that returning to Brown, where he not only earned his undergraduate degree but began his career in higher education, is especially meaningful to him personally. It comes at a critical time for the profession of alumni relations, he said.

“As always, alumni communities are driving support for institutions via volunteerism, philanthropy and other forms of engagement,” Shaindlin said. “But it’s a two-way street. More than ever, alumni seek some benefit in return for loyalty to their alma mater — I’m eager to help define what that benefit looks like for our diverse audience of alumni and ensure that we provide it. The overall goal is that a student's connection to Brown continue throughout their entire lifetime.”

In addition to his bachelor’s degree from Brown, where he concentrated in international relations, Shaindlin earned a master of arts in education from Claremont Graduate University in California. His concentration was higher education administration.

His appointment follows a national search. As vice president, he will report directly to Gonzalez.