Sonoma State University President Judy K. Sakaki announced today that Vince A. Sales, Vice President for University Advancement at California State University, Sacramento, has accepted the position of Vice President for University Advancement and President of the Sonoma State University Foundation. The Division of University Advancement includes Development, Alumni Relations, Strategic Communications and the Foundation.
Sales, a seasoned professional with 20 years of achievement in higher education advancement and communications, will assume his new post May 8.
"Following a nationwide search, there were a number of exceptional candidates for the position," Sakaki said. "We are fortunate to welcome Mr. Sales to the Sonoma State family. He has a remarkable record of accomplishment in University Advancement and foundation management, and I know he will provide strong and effective leadership in the areas of development, communications, alumni relations and the Sonoma State University Foundation. He understands and is deeply committed to the mission of the CSU."
Since 2012, Sales has been Sacramento State's Vice President for University Advancement and the executive officer for the University Foundation. He had also served as the university's Associate Vice President for Development before assuming the top Advancement position. Prior to his work at Sacramento State, he spent two years as Director of Development-Asia/Pacific at Stanford University. He has also held development positions at San Francisco State University, including campaign director, director of development for major and planned gifts, as well as for corporations and foundations.
"These are exciting times at Sonoma State and I am looking forward to coming to the university and joining President Sakaki's leadership team," Sales said. "With the dedicated and talented staff in place and the university's commitment to excellence, there is a lot of important work we can achieve that will benefit Sonoma State, our students, faculty and staff, and this region. I am grateful for the opportunities ahead."
Sales earned degrees from the University of California, Berkeley (BA in Mass Communications, with high distinction) and San Francisco State University (MPA, nonprofit administration emphasis). He completed his designation as a Certified Specialist in Planned Giving from the American Institute for Philanthropic Studies at Long Beach State.