Home | Alumni & Giving | Giving to WSU | University Advancement

Giving to WSU

  • University Advancement

    In the Advancement Office at Worcester State University, we are deeply committed to promoting and supporting WSU’s mission of providing an accessible, high-quality education to our students. Our primary responsibility is to deliver a reliable stream of private funding to help fulfill this mission. We use the donations and grants we receive to create endowed student scholarships, underwrite student and faculty research and presentations at professional conferences, purchase state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, enhance curriculum development, and more.

    Our goal is to build a culture of philanthropy, pride, and trust through meaningful engagement and communications that reflect the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and passion for Worcester State. We foster lasting relationships with alumni, foundations and corporations, students, and parents of students. We also produce the Worcester State alumni magazine and the annual President’s Report.

  • Meet Our Staff

    Call, email, or stop by our office in Suite 231 of the Shaughnessy Administration Building. Our main number is 508-929-8141.

    Thomas M. McNamara ’94
    Vice President for University Advancement
    508-929-8033
    tmcnamara@worcester.edu

    Tara A. Hancock, M.S. ’06
    Executive Director of Alumni Relations and Engagement
    508-929-8869
    thancock@worcester.edu

    Jodi Briggs-Pickett
    Executive Director Development
    508-929-8786
    jbriggspickett@worcester.edu

    Lisa G. Godfrin '16
    Director of Advancement Services
    508-929-8979
    lgodfrin@worcester.edu

    Sean Morrow
    Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Engagement
    508-929-8279
    smorrow@worcester.edu

    Sierra Trudel
    Assistant Director of Annual Giving
    508-929-8872
    strudel@worcester.edu

    Sean Festa '14
    Assistant Director of Financial Records
    508-929-8939
    sfesta@worcester.edu

    Andrea Dever
    Assistant Director of Donor Relations
    508-929-8879
    adever@worcester.edu

    Louise Q. Taylor
    Executive Assistant to the Vice President
    508-929-8033
    ltaylor1@worcester.edu

    Ashley King '16
    Staff Assistant - Financial Records
    508-929-8866
    aking7@worcester.edu

    Brenda E. Blood
    Statistician
    508-929-8809
    bblood@worcester.edu

    Erica Jacobsen
    Staff Assistant, Prospect Researcher
    508-929-8097
    ejacobsen@worcester.edu

    Sonia Root
    Clerk IV, University Advancement
    508-929-8276
    sroot@worcester.edu

    Michelle Grandone ’85
    Phonathon Coordinator
    508-929-8548
    mgrandone@worcester.edu

    Sharon S. McDonald ’86
    Corporate and Foundation Grants Associate
    508-460-1241 or 508-929-8033
    smcdonald2@worcester.edu

    Jenna Beahn
    Administrative Assistant I - Alumni Relations and Engagement
    508-929-8141
    jbeahnmelvin@worcester.edu