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Senior Vice President for External Relations
Mark Luellen was appointed Senior Vice President for External Relations at the University of Virginia in March 2025. Charged with overseeing the University’s fundraising/ development, engagement, principal relationship development, corporate and foundation relations, and state government relations operations, Luellen provides leadership for programs and initiatives across the University, directs the University’s fundraising efforts and capital campaigns, and maintains the University’s relationships with external partners including state officials and UVA alumni, parents, students, and friends. Luellen works with University leadership to identify priorities and develop strategies that support the University’s mission of teaching, research, clinical care, and public service. He currently serves as the president’s representative on numerous leadership boards, including various University-associated organizations (architecture, education, health, commerce, and athletics), and sits on the board of the UVA Foundation.
Luellen came to the University of Virginia in May 2014, first as the Associate Vice President for Development at UVA. In this position, he led the University’s central development efforts, managing a team of nearly 80 development officers and staff, and played a lead role in planning for the Honor the Future Campaign. In May 2016, he was appointed Vice President for Advancement, overseeing the advancement operation and the recently completed Honor the Future Campaign, which resulted in more than $6 billion raised for the University, surpassing the ambitious $5 billion goal. Luellen worked with University, school, and foundation leadership to identify campaign priorities and define fundraising strategies that support the University’s core mission. In 2020, the University of Virginia’s College at Wise awarded Luellen the Samuel R. Crockett Award in recognition of his significant efforts to strengthen the relationship between UVA and the College at Wise.
Prior to joining the University of Virginia, Luellen was at Pennsylvania State University, where he first served as Associate Director of Development for the College of Liberal Arts, then as Director of Major Gifts, and finally as Director of Alumni Relations, Communications, and Development for the College of the Liberal Arts. In that role, he led the College at Penn State to the successful completion of its $113 million campaign—surpassing the goal nine months ahead of the campaign close.
In 2014, Luellen received the McKay Donkin Award, given annually to the full-time member of the faculty, staff, or the retiree of the university who has made significant contributions to the “economic, physical, mental, or social welfare of the faculty” of Penn State. He and his Penn State advancement team were presented with the 2014 Outstanding Teamwork Award in the College of the Liberal Arts. Prior to Penn State, Luellen served in various leadership roles for Affinity Connection, which provides alumni relations and major fundraising services to university-based affinity groups and volunteer-driven organizations on more than 60 college campuses in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand.
Luellen has been actively engaged in community and volunteer organizations. He served on the Allegheny College Alumni Council and has been a volunteer or committee member for various community organizations including Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville, the Pennsylvania Pink Zone, the YMCA’s Strong Kids Campaign, and the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life effort. He served as vice chair of the 2018 MS Society Dinner of Champions, of which UVA President Teresa Sullivan was honoree.
Luellen received his bachelor’s degree in English, with a minor in elementary education, from Allegheny College. At Penn State he received a graduate certificate in project management. He and his wife, Beth Ann, and their two daughters reside in Ruckersville, Virginia.
