Ernie Iseminger named vice president for advancement

Claremont Graduate University (CGU) has named Ernie Iseminger as vice president of advancement.

Iseminger comes to CGU from Claremont McKenna College (CMC), where he served for almost six years as vice president of advancement. The Chronicle of Philanthropy named him to its list of “Six People to Watch in 2015” after he led CMC to a record breaking $635 million capital campaign.

Prior to CMC, he was senior associate vice president for development and alumni relations at The George Washington University. He also served as vice president for development and alumni affairs at Oberlin College, where he completed the college’s $176 million capital campaign.

“Ernie is a confident and dedicated leader with an outstanding record of fundraising and team building,” CGU President Robert Schult said. “He brings more than two decades of success in higher education, as well as an infectious energy and enthusiasm for the work we do here at CGU. He’s a fantastic addition to the university.”

His hiring culminates a five-month, nationwide search.

Iseminger and his team will work closely with Schult, trustees, and CGU’s academic deans to develop fundraising and alumni engagement strategies that highlight, leverage, and support the meaningful work being done by students, faculty, and alumni.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be at Claremont Graduate University,” Iseminger said. “President Schult, the board of trustees, the executive team, the deans, and of course the advancement staff are wonderfully engaged and supportive, and I look forward to building upon the foundations of success they’ve created.”

He will take office on Jan. 25.