Advancement Institute
We provide UT San Antonio's advancement professionals and academic leaders with a variety of custom trainings, professional development workshops, and collaborative experiences.
We will empower you to better understand the world of fundraising in higher education, offering expertise from UT San Antonio Advancement and Alumni Engagement and other entities.
We can strengthen our culture of philanthropy across the UT San Antonio community and further drive our university toward a bold future together.
Advancing Together
The UT San Antonio Advancement Institute offers education and training geared toward enhancing your skills as an Advancement and Alumni Engagement professional involved in all aspects of philanthropy and engagement.
Academic leaders and university partners are invited to participate in select professional development events throughout the year.
Signature Trainings
CliftonStrengths Workshops
Learn about your strengths as well as the strengths of your colleagues to help enhance communication, engagement, and overall job satisfaction.
One Team, One Future – AAE Integration Sessions
Participate in interactive sessions designed to strengthen collaboration across Advancement & Alumni Engagement. Topics will highlight institutional priorities, constituent insights, and opportunities for cross-team partnership, building a shared foundation for our future as one advancement organization.
Development Roundtable Topic Series
Join sessions covering a variety of topics such as managing donor portfolios, partnering with faculty members, discussing gift agreements with donors, and incorporating digital donor engagement.
Coffee & Courageous Conversations
Participate in engaging discussions that help build a sense of belonging for all employees while enhancing engagement, satisfaction and productivity.
Advancement Services Open House
Weekly open house hosted by members of Advancement Services. This session serves as an opportunity for AAE members to ask specific questions about NXT, portfolios, gift recording, and more. Specialized trainings will be offered periodically; topics will be shared in advance.
Faculty Resources
Upcoming Webinars
Navigating Holistic Corporate Engagement Strategy and Structure
Join UNITE and two seasoned Vice Presidents of Advancement for a deep dive into the strategic integration of industry partnerships. This webinar explores two successful yet different organizational models: one where corporate engagement is centralized within the advancement ecosystem, and another where it is led by Academic Affairs with strong advancement support.
Modality: Virtual
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
CASE Presents: Collaborative Leadership in Action
Join us for a session exploring how open communication and shared experiences can strengthen trust and connection across university communities. Jules and Kilian will share how new approaches to leadership engagement and cross-campus collaboration can break down barriers, encourage dialogue and build a greater sense of belonging, creating more transparent and connected cultures.
Modality: Virtual
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
7:00 am - 8:00 am
Product ShowCASE: AI for Alumni and Donor Engagement
This virtual event brings together CASE members who are exploring AI solutions with leading technology partners through short, focused conversations. As institutions look to enhance alumni and donor engagement with greater personalization, operational efficiency, and predictive insight, AI tools are becoming central to meeting rising expectations. Attendees will hear brief presentations followed by a series of matched one on one discussions designed to help institutions understand how emerging AI solutions can support their strategic goals. Members can connect directly with providers offering tools that advance personalization at scale, streamline engagement workflows, and strengthen donor and alumni outreach.
Modality: Virtual
Thursday, March 19, 2026
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
AAE Integration Session
Campaign 101
Presented by: Karl Miller Lugo, Senior Vice President for Advancement & Alumni Engagement
This session will provide a foundational overview of what makes a comprehensive campaign successful. Together, we will explore campaign fundamentals, including strategy and structure, phases and timelines, leadership engagement, the gift pyramid, and how we inspire transformational philanthropy through compelling cases and disciplined execution.
We will also examine how annual giving, major gifts, alumni relations and advancement services work together to build momentum to achieve campaign goals.
Most importantly, this session will reinforce that every area of Advancement plays a vital role in strengthening donor relationships and driving our campaign toward long-term success.
Modality: Virtual
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
CASE® Monthly Membership Webinar (March 2026)
All UT San Antonio AAE employees have access to CASE. Participate in this session to maximize your membership. You’ll have the chance to ask questions directly to CASE staff and learn how to get more involved. Don’t miss this opportunity to unlock the full potential of your CASE membership!
Modality: Virtual
Thursday, March 26, 2026
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
On Demand Trainings
Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Resources
Access on-demand webinars, subject guides, samples, articles, and more.
Evertrue: 10 Ways AI will change Advancement
Learn about the impact that AI will have on your work in advancement.
Advancement Resources
Explore webinars, blogs, samples, and so much more to help enhance your work in advancement.
Other Resources
UT System Advancement Academy
Participate in professional development programs offered to all advancement professionals, from entry-level newcomers to senior executives.
UT San Antonio People Excellence Professional Development
Explore a variety of training on topics such as leadership, personal and professional development, computer skills, administrative skills, safety, and more. Sessions are offered in-person, virtually, and on-demand.
LinkedIn Learning
Access a variety of courses, explore best practices, and gain new knowledge.
Do you have suggestions for additional training topics?
Email our Senior Director of Advancement Talent Management, Genevieve Tobias, for more information.
