Jeff Baynham
NC State University
Associate Vice Chancellor for Advancement Services

Years in aasp
16 years (Joinedin 2009), and was fortunate enough to attend the second Summit.

Which aasp events have you attended? Please share anything memorable or meaningful.
I’ve attended nearly every Summit, many webinars, the summer series, and most recently the inaugural aasp Leadership Institute. I have many memories of the earlier Summits at the Holiday Inn Merchant Mart in Chicago and the trips down Hubbard Street for karaoke (to watch, not participate!). Reflecting on our starting point and seeing our current position is truly amazing.

Which volunteer roles have you held with aasp?
I've been involved with aasp in several capacities. Early on, I joined the finance committee and have served there since. I also spent a few years participating in the education committee, and I've presented at multiple Summits.

What motivates you to volunteer with aasp?

I am driven by many factors. I deeply value contributing to the growth and development of our industry and community. Volunteering provides an opportunity to both share my expertise and learn from my industry peers. It is also an excellent way to connect with new people and forge meaningful relationships; in fact, many of my aasp peers have become close friends. For anyone considering volunteering, my best advice is to simply say "yes"—it is the single best way to deepen your professional connections and invest in your own growth.

What do you hope to achieve in your current aasp position?

My time on the finance committee has been very fulfilling. I've seen the association's resources grow, which has allowed aasp to significantly increase the educational programs available to our members. Moving forward, I aim to continue encouraging aasp to strategically utilize these expanding resources to develop fresh, innovative learning and engagement opportunities for both our membership and the industry at large. As advancement success increasingly relies on technology and data, Advancement Services practitioners are more vital than ever to the success of our organizations. A financially healthy aasp will be there to help us all be impactful to our organizations and their missions.

How have you benefited professionally and/or personally by volunteering with aasp?

Volunteering with aasp has off ered signifi cant benefi ts both professionally and personally. Professionally, it has been invaluable in building relationships across the industry, which has opened doors for collaboration and the sharing of ideas to enhance my work at my institution. Personally, I've gained the deep satisfaction of helping an organization I truly value grow and prosper, and I've also been fortunate enough to build several lifelong friendships.

Other than your volunteerism with aasp and your career, what are your interests/passions?

Outside of my professional life and volunteer work with aasp, I have many interests and passions. I love to travel and consider myself a bit of a foodie, always on the lookout for new places to eat or a cool cocktail bar. I enjoy reading, photography, keeping up with tech and politics/current events, and getting outdoors for hiking and skiing. When I'm staying in, you can usually find me hosting or joining a board game night or binging a show.