Advancement Communications

What We Do

Advancement Communications supports the University of Virginia and the Office of Advancement by producing strategic communications that align with UVA's fundraising priorities. An experienced and dedicated group committed to serving the central advancement community—from institutional-level and pan-University fundraisers to schools and units across Grounds—we create engaging materials that make the case for philanthropic support.

Advancement Communications work samples

See Our Work for Advancement and Across Grounds

Our work includes video and multimedia projects, Envision publications, case statements, single sheets on initiatives, gift announcements, proposal support, materials for events and stewardship, and digital projects.

Education pillar and research feature

Envision Magazine

Through storytelling and design, Envision magazine—one of the University’s longest-running publications—illustrates the power of philanthropy by showing the many ways in which alumni, parents, and friends demonstrate their devotion to and play a pivotal role in the life of this institution.

Honor the Future Brand

The Honor the Future Campaign brand and identity was designed to raise the visibility of the campaign and create a strong, centralized communications program. Creating the brand in-house gave us the path toward meeting those goals and deliver a brand that was uniquely UVA with a new, forward-looking vision. The campaign brand imagines the future as clean, elegant, and uplifting, springing forth from a foundation firmly rooted in tradition.

Office of Engagement

Our collaborative partnership with Advancement’s Engagement team has resulted in a newly branded Engagement website and digital and print collateral for UVA alumni clubs.

Partners Across Grounds

We achieve our collective goals with our UVA partners including recent work for UVA Health, the Batten School, the President’s Office, UVA Bands, and many others.

Our Team

See the friendly faces who lend their talents and expertise to Advancement Communications.

Charlotte Morford

Charlotte Morford

Assistant Vice President for Advancement Communications

Travis Searcy

Travis Searcy

Senior Creative Director

Charity Boudouris

Charity Boudouris

Director of Content Production

Jeneene Chatowsky

Jeneene Chatowsky

Assistant Director of Multimedia

William Cocke

William Cocke

Senior Writer and Project Manager

Charlotte Morford

Kyle Fowlkes

Senior Designer

Maggie Rowland

Maggie Rowland

Designer

Meg Walker

Meg Walker

Director of Digital Design & Development

Kim Wendel

Kim Wendel

Assistant Director of Gift Planning Communications

Work with Us

Process & Support

Advancement Communications collaborates with partners to write, design, and produce creative communications that reflect the University’s distinctive character and convey clear, compelling messages. If you have questions about design concerning the Honor the Future Brand, or have a compelling story, or need help with a communications project, please contact us to learn how we can help you.

The Batten School

Batten Case Statement

The case for support produced for the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy serves as the signature campaign fundraising piece for the Batten School.

Office of the President

Final Exercise Environmental Graphics

We created a series of environmental graphics and signage to highlight the half-mile procession route from the historic lawn across Grounds and into the stadium. We utilized everything from sidewalk decals, to banners, balloon arches, and even pop-up DJ music stations along the route.

Young Alumni Photobooks

University Advancement's Donor Relations team sought to create a unique gift to acknowledge and honor the unusual experiences and challenges of the Classes of 2020 and 2021 that also celebrates some of the beautiful and often less-historic moments that were captured during the students' time on Grounds.

Awards & Honors

Over the years, Advancement Communications has won more than 80 awards from the Council on Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and an award of excellence from the University & College Designers Association (UCDA).

CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE

Gold

Transform Property Into Legacy
Fundraising Case Statements and General Cultivation Publications

Silver

Honor the Future Campaign Visual Identity System
Branding (Department or Subunit)

What Drives US: Scholarships Anthem Video
Category: Videos, Fundraising

Envision Campaign Magazine Fall 2022
Fundraising Case Statements and General Cultivation Publications

DISTRICT III CASE AWARDS

Best of CASE

Envision Campaign Magazine
Category: Design, Magazines and Periodicals

Envision Campaign Magazine
Category: Fundraising, Case Statements/General Cultivation Publications

Gold

Envision Magazine Limited Edition
Category: Magazines Alumni/General

Advancement Digital Toolkit
Category: Communications PIVOT (one year category for Covid-19 related pivots)

President’s Holiday Card and Sweater
Category: Design Specialty Pieces

Honor the Future Campaign Launch Video
Category: Videos, Fundraising

Honor the Future Campaign Launch Experience (Invitations, projection mapping, etc.)
Category: Design Specialty Pieces

Silver

Reimagining Appalachia Editorial Portrait
Category: Photographs Individual

Bronze

Advancement Digital Toolkit
Category: Digital Communications Websites

Honor the Future Campaign Identity System
Category: Marketing and Visual Identity Systems

I just got out of a meeting with our Historic Preservation team and wanted to pass along some kudos from them on the quality of the video and article. Thank you all for such good work, as always.

Woody Wingfield

Director of Development and Executive Director for the School of Architecture