University President Patrick F. Leahy, Ed.D. has named Emily Miller-Gonzalez, Director of Planned Giving within the Division of University Advancement, as the Chief of Staff to the Office of the President. The decision comes as a result of additional organizational changes to the President’s office over the course of this academic year.
“In order to help streamline communications and create efficiencies in my office, I have identified an internal candidate to serve as the Acting Chief of Staff for a term of six months,” Leahy wrote in a memo to Monmouth staff, sent on Monday, Sep. 14. “Emily Miller-Gonzalez, who currently serves as the Director of Planned Giving within the Division of University Advancement, has graciously accepted this temporary appointment.”
Miller-Gonzalez is well-positioned for the role, which includes managerial duties of special projects emanating from the President’s Office, the development of strategic presidential communications, and representing the President’s Office to internal and external audiences alike, Leahy wrote.
Closing over 5 million in gifts and pledges over the past two years, Miller-Gonzalez has introduced over 20 new members to the Shadow Lawn Society, Monmouth’s circle for recognizing donors who have included the University in their estate plans.
Previously the Director of Development for the School of Education and School of Social Work, Miller-Gonzalez helped grow the Dean’s Advisory Council for each school “… and ultimately helped to identify new members of the Board of Trustees,” Leahy wrote. “She also secured a six-figure seed gift that launched the SRF Suicide Prevention Research and Training Project, as well as a gift that permanently endowed the Virginia A. Cory Community Garden.”
“With this new role, I am looking forward to expanding my knowledge of the University, and to enhancing my relationships across University areas,” Miller-Gonzalez said. “I am excited to apply my background and professional training to help streamline projects and communications emanating from the President’s Office. I appreciate this unique opportunity to concurrently serve the Monmouth University community as our resident planned giving specialist, and hope to celebrate many new planned gift commitments in the coming year, as well.”
Prior to joining the University, Miller-Gonzalez was a major gift officer at the Rutgers University Foundation, as well as a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, teaching courses on diversity and oppression and groups at-risk in contemporary society.
Miller-Gonzalez has a Master of Social Work and a Juris Doctor from Rutgers University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from Georgetown University. While attending Georgetown, Miller-Gonzalez played women’s soccer, as well as spending the year between her undergraduate and graduate studies as an Americorps volunteer working with underserved youth in Chicago, Illinois.
PHOTO COURTESY of Monmouth University
“I thank you for your ongoing support of the Office of the President, and for warmly welcoming Emily into this important role,” Leahy wrote to end his announcement.
