Monica Lewis, Ph.D., director of athletic development at Jackson State University, has been selected for the Blackbaud Development Fund scholarship and will participate in the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) ICON Conference on April 6-9, 2024, in Toronto, Canada.
Lewis was chosen from a competitive pool of accomplished and experienced fundraisers. As a result, she will have access to enrichment educational sessions, industry leaders and networking opportunities.
“I am sincerely thankful for the opportunity provided by the Blackbaud Development Fund, enabling me to represent Jackson State University and connect with a diverse community of fundraising professionals. Interacting with seasoned professionals, sharing experiences, and building relationships with peers from diverse backgrounds would not only broaden my perspective but also open doors to potential collaborations and partnerships for Jackson State University and JSU Athletics,” said Lewis, who is also the executive director of the JSU Tiger Fund Athletic Foundation.
In 2022, Lewis was named one of the Top 50 Distinguished Leading Business Women in Mississippi. She has garnered over $13.5 million for JSU through fundraising initiatives and program implementation. She also serves as a campus advisor for the Delta Research and Educational Foundation HBCU initiative.
A native of Carthage, Mississippi, Lewis joined JSU in 2014 and is a proud alumna. She holds a certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family of Philanthropy at Indiana University and a certificate in nonprofit management from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Lewis is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and the Junior League of Jackson. She is a charter member of the JSU Madison County Alumni Chapter, a life member of the JSU National Alumni Association, and a member of the Leake County NAACP, Women for Progress of MS, Inc., the Mississippi Alliance of Nonprofit and Philanthropy, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals to name a few. She also serves on various nonprofit and community-based boards.