Development Professionals Named Senior Directors

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Knight, Nelson, Wood

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Three University of Arkansas development professionals within the Division of University Advancement have been promoted to senior directors of development and external relations. Kellie Knight in the College of Engineering, Katy Nelson in the Sam M. Walton College of Business and Dina Wood in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences oversee the fundraising and communications functions in their respective colleges on campus.

“Kellie, Katy and Dina have demonstrated outstanding leadership in their positions over the years,” said Mark Power, executive director of development and principal gifts. “I congratulate them on their well-deserved promotions, and I know they will continue to provide excellent leadership for development growth.”

Knight came to the University of Arkansas in 2000 as the scholarship and endowment officer for the College of Engineering after a background in financial aid and newspaper editing. She became the assistant director of development in 2002 and, in 2007, became the director of development for the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. Knight returned to the College of Engineering as the director of development and external relations in June 2010. She holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications from the University of Illinois.

Nelson joined the Walton College development team in 2006 as the director of development and external relations where she oversees constituent relations and special events in addition to the areas of development and communications. She came to the university from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. Nelson holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communications from Fulbright College, and she is a past adjunct faculty member in the college’s communications department.

Wood came to Fulbright College in 2002 after serving as assistant attorney general for the state of Arkansas, a Clinton administration appointee in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the office of presidential personnel, and the Overseas Private Investment Corp. as intergovernmental affairs director. Wood has also served as a congressional campaign consultant. Before joining the University of Arkansas team, she practiced law in Rogers, Ark. Wood holds two degrees from the University of Arkansas: a bachelor’s degree in political science from Fulbright College and a juris doctor from the School of Law.