Herzing University, an accredited, private nonprofit institution, is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Marion as the inaugural Vice President of Philanthropy and Engagement, effective March 4, 2026. Marion will serve on the senior leadership team and report directly to the President, building and leading a Philanthropy and Engagement department. He will focus on advancing the university’s philanthropic initiatives while expanding engagement with the broader Herzing community.

Marion is a strategic advancement leader with over 20 years of experience driving revenue growth, building donor pipelines, and leading high-performing teams across higher education, nonprofit, and healthcare organizations. Prior to joining Herzing, Marion was a key leader at The Actuarial Foundation, hired as a Fundraising Specialist, and most recently served as the Director of Development. In that role, he oversaw all areas of philanthropy, including major gifts, association giving, corporate partnerships, annual funds, and online campaigns.

“Marion brings a strong commitment to the life-changing potential of higher education, especially for first-generation college students, that aligns seamlessly with the mission of Herzing University,” said Renée Herzing, President of Herzing University. “As a respected, higher education institution recognized for excellence, Herzing continues to grow and innovate across 12 campuses in eight states and through a robust catalog of hybrid and online programs. Michael’s experience in advancement and fundraising will help further strengthen our philanthropic efforts as we build on this momentum. We are thrilled to welcome him to the Herzing University community.”

Marion’s background includes experience as a Finance Research Analyst, managing multi-million-dollar federal research budgets, and leadership roles in higher education and nonprofit development. He began his career at Eastern Michigan University, teaching and coaching speech and debate, and later served as Director of Development for Waukegan to College, supporting first-generation students. He has also increased grant revenue for organizations like the YWCA and led fundraising for national programs, demonstrating a versatile skill set in complex operations.

“Herzing University’s focus on expanding educational opportunity and creating pathways to economic mobility aligns closely with my experience and values,” said Marion. “I’ve seen firsthand how the right support can transform a student’s life, family, and future, and Herzing’s commitment to working adults, career changers, and learners balancing school with real-life responsibilities aligns perfectly with my belief that education must be both accessible and life-changing. I look forward to helping advance this important mission through philanthropy.”

Marion holds a Master of Arts in Communication and Rhetorical Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI.

“Michael is an outstanding philanthropic leader with a strong commitment to expanding educational opportunity,” said Heather Eddy, President and CEO of KEES. “His passion for educational access, combined with his experience launching donor engagement events, annual appeals, and strategic communications, makes him a remarkable asset. We are proud to have partnered on this search and congratulate Michael and the entire Herzing University team on this exciting new chapter.”

KEES supported this hire through our Executive Search service and was delighted to be selected as Herzing University’s partner of choice.

About Herzing University

Herzing University is an accredited, private nonprofit institution with 12 campuses across the country and a nationally accessible online division. The University offers career-focused programs in nursing, healthcare, behavioral health, technology, business, public safety and more. Herzing is committed to serving nontraditional and adult learners through flexible on-campus, hybrid and online learning options, workforce-aligned programming and strong industry partnerships that support the healthcare pipeline. Ranked among the best online programs by US News and World Report since 2013, Herzing empowers students with accessible, career-driven education. Learn more about Herzing and our accreditation and approvals at www.herzing.edu.

About KEES

KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a certified woman-owned nonprofit executive search firm dedicated to creating diverse teams with dynamic leadership in the nonprofit and public sectors. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including executive search, leadership development, compensation analysis, interim staffing, and HR support. For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com.

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HERZING UNIVERSITY MEDIA CONTACT:

Mueller Communications, herzing@muellercommunications.com

KEES MEDIA CONTACT: Jamie Sheffler, jsheffler@kees2success.com