Introduction

The Office of Institutional Advancement is responsible for the overall development, alumni relations, public relations, marketing and communications, and fundraising components of Alabama A&M University. The office is the means through which the school's priorities and local, state and national impact is communicated. OIA consistently builds and nurtures key relationships with students, faculty, staff, alumni and the public sector.

Contributions to Alabama A&M University strengthen a legacy that has spanned some 14 decades. Known throughout the world for its manner of achieving academic excellence without exclusivity, AAMU is an institution that offers students who seek added academic support an opportunity to pursue their dreams beside internationally recognized student scholars. Past financial support has helped the University to evolve four USA Today academic team scholars, along with a show-stopping band that has led the Tournament of Roses Parade. AAMU researchers are studying volcanic ash in the Caribbean as well as how best to eliminate peanut allergens. Giving to AAMU through any of the forms offered on this site will be funds well-invested!

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The Vice President

Alabama A&M University has announced the selection of the individual to fill its chief fundraising position.  Following the recommendation of a University Search Committee comprised of a cross-section of persons from the campus, AAMU President Robert R. Jennings has selected Allen P. Vital as Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the Foundation.  Vital will assume the position on November 1.

The advancement administrator currently serves as assistant vice president for resource development and manager of Title III programs at Xavier University of Louisiana.  A Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Vital has amassed an impressive career in institutional advancement.  He has served as director of major gifts at Xavier, where he managed a portfolio of 150 prospects and assisted the University in raising in excess of $20 million for its capital campaign. 

Vital has also served as executive director of the Baton Rouge Community College Foundation, as well as director of alumni affairs and director of external resources at that institution.  He was manager of the foundation and director of development at Alcorn State University and director of development for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where he also served as special assistant to the president.

A sought-after speaker on issues dealing with institutional advancement, planned giving and grant writing, Vital is a member of the Council for Advancement in Support of Education (CASE), where he served on the District IV Conference Planning Committee.  He is also affiliated with the National Sponsored Program Administrators Alliance, the Center for Resource Development, Rotary International, and is past president of a local nonprofit board for Maple Shade Youth and Family Services.   He holds a Master of Education degree in counseling from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Southern University, and he is a certified legal assistant in paralegal studies from Louisiana State University.   

He is married and has two daughters.