Alissa Hechter, M.I.A., interim vice president for Advancement and Community Relations, joined NSU in 2008 as a grant writer, quickly transitioned to the role of director of corporate and foundation relations and most recently served as the assistant vice president for development and alumni engagement. With a background in environmental policy and experience in both the government and nonprofit arenas, Hechter wanted to work at a university. She was drawn to NSU because of the people—colleagues, donors, faculty members, and students.
Donor Connection (DC): What do you love about your position?
Alissa Hechter (AH): “I love hearing about new ideas at the university. NSU is constantly evolving and it’s amazing to look at how the strengths of the university come together. It’s also exciting to link people who haven’t previously been engaged to the university. As they learn about the university, they always say the same thing, ‘I can’t believe I lived right next door and didn’t know.’ I love that … it comes down to the people and the impact that we’re all having.”
DC: What motivates you to come to NSU every day?
AH: “It’s the people. I love that we all come together as a team, and we have a mission to help our students. NSU is creating the next generation of leaders, and that’s very important to me.”
DC: If you could take anyone out for coffee, who would it be?
AH: “My mom. She passed away last year. She never had a college degree, never had that opportunity, so for her, the biggest thing was that I had a career. I used to be very shy and introverted, but this position took me out of my comfort zone, and she loved that I pushed myself. She would be incredibly proud that I’m in this role right now.”
DC: What’s a donor event idea you’ve always wanted to try?
AH: There’s so many personal experiences that we can have here. For instance, getting to go behind the scenes to see the life of a medical student, so that donors get to know what our students go through and what NSU has to offer. Someone suggested a night at the museum—how fun would it be to have a night at the Oceanographic Center where families could come learn all about crazy things in the ocean. Or faculty members who are experts in a particular region could take a small group of donors on a trip to that area. Any way that you can connect with people is a good idea.
DC: What does philanthropy mean to you?
AH: Philanthropy means giving back. It means giving back of your time, not just financial, and it’s really having an impact. I can say that our donors are having a tremendous impact here, whether it’s giving $5 to support our Shark Pantry or supporting cancer research. It’s all valuable in helping the greater good.
DC: What is one moment or one initiative that made you most proud to work at NSU?
AH: I learned so much being the Director of Corporations and Foundations. That role helped put me on a path to where I am now. When I used to think about fundraising, I struggled with the idea of asking someone for money, but I always loved meeting people, learning new things and building relationships. For me, Corporations and Foundations was an opportunity, because those organizations had to give away money. I took the opportunity to learn about everything at this university, find little gems and merge them with other programs so I could get support from foundations and corporations. That was pivotal in my pathway to fundraising. I realized that when you speak to donors, you’re not asking them for money. They’re actually asking you, ‘How can I make an impact? How can I help NSU?’ It’s a privilege to work with our donors who want to support our students and the community by giving back.