University of North Texas at Dallas

SITUATION OVERVIEW:

ZRG has been engaged to recruit a Vice President for University Advancement for the University of North Texas at Dallas.

ABOUT UNT DALLAS:

Perched on a hilltop, overlooking the Downtown Dallas skyline, the University of North Texas at Dallas is the only public, accredited 4-year university in the City of Dallas. Serving Dallas-Fort Worth – the No. 1 job market in America, according to Forbes – UNT Dallas has served as a means to drive innovation, transformation, and growth since its establishment in 2010.

UNT Dallas offers their students the most affordable tuition plans in the Dallas region, helping them blaze their trail toward a bachelor’s, master’s, or juris doctoral degree while minimizing student debt. Their value-based education is accompanied by innovative, high-quality academic programs that include opportunities for rich experiential learning.

At UNT Dallas you can expand your worldview, positively impact the local community, learn leadership skills, play sports, and more. The Office of Student Life provides students an educational, holistic, and innovative environment to discover more about themselves, their peers, and the world they live in. An intercollegiate athletics program launched in the 2020-21 academic year with men’s and women’s teams in basketball, cross country, and track.

Their students also benefit from their many partnerships with non-profit organizations, school districts, community colleges, and local business partners, which allow them to expand educational access and provide unique learning opportunities for their students.

UNTD isn’t just growing from an enrollment standpoint – their tree-lined, 264-acre campus is evolving physically, as a thoughtfully-designed campus master plan fills out to accommodate more trail-blazing students.

The university’s first residence hall opened in 2017, a new $63 million student center opened in 2019, and in January 2026, the University will open its new state-of-the-art 120,000 sq. ft. STEM Building.

In Downtown Dallas, the UNT Dallas College of Law’s historic home – the former Dallas City Hall at 106 S. Harwood St. – is the city’s only public law school. This historic repurposing of one of Dallas’ most cherished landmarks – a

$56 million interior restoration – was completed in 2019 and was accompanied by a $15 million exterior facelift of the building by the City of Dallas.

Students are at the heart of everything UNT Dallas does… whether you’re the first in your family to attend college, or a professional looking to take the next step in your education and career. UNT Dallas graduates don’t just leave UNT Dallas with a diploma – their alumni are equipped with practical skills and knowledge needed to land a job. UNTD has a dedicated career center and partnerships in the business community designed to place our graduates directly into the workforce after commencement.

MISSION STATEMENT

Empower. Transform. Strengthen.

UNT Dallas empowers students, transforms lives, strengthens communities.

VISION

By 2030, UNT Dallas will become the leading public regional university in the area by delivering a holistic educational experience that integrates career-ready skills, leadership development, and experiential learning.

VALUES

• Courageous Integrity: Model exceptional standards and act in the best interest of our community.
• Be Curious: Cultivate opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating.
• Care: Champion a people-first approach to building relationships and community.
• Better Together: Foster an environment of respect, belonging, and access for all.
• Show Your Fire: Exhibit passion and pride in the experiences created.

STRATEGIC THEMES

• Rooted in community. Become the leading university in metro Dallas and the inner-ring suburbs.
• Growth. Increase enrollment, retention and completion rates with experiential learning while developing critical thinking and marketable skills for every student.
• Commitment. Relentless focus on student success.

POSITION:

The Vice President for University Advancement oversees the operations and activities of Advancement Services and Institutional Alumni and Development. The Vice President is responsible for designing and implementing comprehensive institutional advancement programs and recruiting and developing talented team members to significantly increase constituent involvement and fund-raising outcomes.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

• Serves a member of the President's Cabinet and senior leadership team.
• Develops the advancement plan and strategy, recruits and manages staff leadership to execute its programs, policies, and systems.
• Builds a staff of frontline fundraising and alumni development professionals to cultivate, close and steward institutional giving.
• Leads and directs the University's philanthropic efforts including major gifts, planned giving, annual giving, stewardship, and advancement services.
• Builds support and engagement among alumni and manage alumni support within the UNT System.
• Establishes the mission, vision, values, and overarching goals for the development of a successful, results oriented advancement program.
• Ensure the use of best practices in philanthropy development including stewardship, moves management and alumni engagement.
• Engages the community in setting the atmosphere for significant gifts and extends asks for major gifts.
• Strengthens the university's visibility through branding and messaging strategies including social media, web presence and other platforms. - Leads the university's strategic direction for raising the profile of and resources for the university.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proven track-record of success in securing significant gifts from private donors, foundations, and corporations.
• Bachelor’s degree and ten years of increasingly responsible direct experience in higher education fundraising or fund raising in a non-profit environment.
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills, problem solving, time management and technological competence.
• Strong knowledge of operational areas within Institutional Advancement and a comprehensive understanding of their inter-relationships.
• Ability to create strong relationships with high profile individuals.

SENIOR MANAGEMENT:

Warren von Eschenbach, PhD President, UNT Dallas

Dr. Warren J. von Eschenbach is a distinguished academic leader and philosopher, currently serving as the President of the University of North Texas at Dallas. In this role, he oversees the university’s academic, administrative, and financial operations, setting strategic visions, ensuring financial stability, and fostering a robust academic environment. His tenure has seen significant achievements, including the establishment of the University’s inaugural Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning, and the implementation of strategic budgeting processes aligning unit-level budgets with key performance indicators.

Prior to his current position, Dr. von Eschenbach served as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of North Texas System, where he supported curricular and programmatic innovation across campuses. Before coming to the UNT System, he spent nearly 14 years at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, as a faculty member and administrator. He served in various leadership roles within the Provost’s Office at Notre Dame, including as the Associate Vice President and Assistant Provost responsible for overseeing Notre Dame’s 11 international locations and 48 study abroad programs, Academic Director of the Notre Dame London Global Gateway, Senior Advisor to the Provost, and was instrumental in launching the Notre Dame Technology Ethics Center as the Inaugural Managing Director.

During his tenure at Notre Dame, he successfully created the University’s first multidisciplinary minor in technology ethics; fostered partnerships internationally to support faculty research and collaborations across campus; implemented a new core curriculum for international programs; opened the University’s Center in Rome; and increased experiential learning and research opportunities for students and postdoctoral fellows. In 2015, Dr. von Eschenbach and his team in London were awarded the Presidential Team Irish Award for exemplifying the University of Notre Dame’s core values.

Dr. von Eschenbach’s academic journey is marked by his profound engagement with ethical and normative issues, particularly in the realm of technology. As a faculty member at the University of Notre Dame, he taught a wide array of courses including “Existentialist Themes,” “Ethics & Politics,” “British Moral Philosophy,” “Philosophy of Art and Aesthetics,” and specialized courses in the ethics of data and business analytics. His teaching extends to the Business School, where he developed and taught courses such as “Ethics of Data Analytics”, “Ethics of Business Analytics” (MSBA), and “Ethics of Business and Data Analytics” (MBA).

LOCATION:

Dallas, Texas, is one of the nation’s most dynamic and business-friendly metropolitan areas, known for its strong economy, strategic location, and culture of innovation. As the commercial and financial hub of North Texas, Dallas hosts a diverse range of industries including technology, finance, healthcare, logistics, real estate, and telecommunications. The city is home to numerous Fortune 500 headquarters and continues to attract startups and major global enterprises seeking growth, talent, and opportunity.

With its central U.S. location, Dallas provides exceptional connectivity through major interstate corridors and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport — one of the busiest and most accessible airports in the world. This strategic advantage supports efficient domestic and international business operations.

Dallas also offers a highly skilled workforce, supported by leading universities and vocational institutions that foster ongoing professional development. The region’s pro-business environment, competitive tax structure, and commitment to innovation make it a prime destination for investment and expansion.

Beyond its economic strengths, Dallas boasts a vibrant cultural scene, renowned dining, professional sports, and a high quality of life. The city’s blend of modern infrastructure and Southern hospitality creates an appealing environment for businesses, employees, and visitors alike.

UNT DALLAS IN THE NEWS:

November 17, 2025

New 100% Online Bachelor of Social Work Degree Launches in Jan. 2026

November 10, 2025

UNT Dallas Ranked Among Best Online Colleges by Newsweek

October 28, 2025

Center for Technology, Innovation, Development and Entrepreneurship (TIDE) Unveiled to Business Leaders

October 24, 2025

“Understand the Importance of a Degree": Top Public Safety Leaders Address Students on College and Career

October 13, 2025

Dr. Ali Shaqlaih Selected for AASCU Millennium Leadership Initiative

October 07, 2025

UNT Dallas Receives Largest Private Donation Ever: $17 Million

September 19, 2025

UNT Dallas #1 for Student Outcomes in New College Rankings

INTERVIEW PROCESS:

ZRG provides our global Clients with a rigorous and patented assessment platform grounded in data and analytics. Our interview process includes the following:

1. Initial interviews with ZRG

2. ZRG presentation of candidates to Client for calibration and discussion; Client selects candidates for consideration and initial interviews

3. Candidates complete ZRG’s on-line assessment

4. Finalist candidates advance to second and third round interviews with broader leadership team

5. Formal referencing

6. Offer extended

ABOUT ZRG PARTNERS:

ZRG is a global talent advisory firm that is changing the way companies hire and manage talent. ZRG’s data-driven approach to executive and professional search has been changing the way clients think about how to find top talent. The company’s digital Zi platform combines talent intelligence, candidate insights, and process improvement to dramatically deliver executive searches quicker and with proven better results.

Dakota Doman
Managing Director

ddoman@zrgpartners.com

Dakota Doman is a dynamic and visionary executive with more than 15 years of leadership experience spanning higher education administration, executive search, organizational strategy, and governmental affairs. He is a Managing Director in ZRG’s Education Practice, bringing a comprehensive perspective on leadership needs within academic institutions, especially Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Before ZRG, Dakota was the President and Managing Principal of TM2 Executive Search, the only search firm founded to provide executive talent solutions to HBCUs, where his work focused on inclusive leadership recruitment, strategic talent pipelines, and governance transformation, contributing to successful placements in C-suite and senior academic roles across the country. Under his leadership, TM2 was nationally recognized for reshaping the executive hiring landscape for historically underserved institutions, and Dakota was featured in the February Black History Month edition of Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, a national publication spotlighting leader advancing equity and access in higher education.

Prior to leading TM2, Dakota was unanimously appointed by the Texas Southern University (TSU) Board of Regents as the Acting Chief Executive Officer. He joined TSU initially as Chief of Staff and Chief Governmental Affairs Officer, where he spearheaded critical university initiatives including legislative engagement at municipal, state, and federal levels, Title III program development, institutional effectiveness, strategic partnerships, and transformative planning.

Don Hasseltine

Managing Director and Practice Lead, Philanthropy

donhasseltine@aspenleadershipgroup.com

Over his 25-year career in advancement, Don Hasseltine has held leadership positions at five colleges and universities. Most recently, he served as the Vice President for Development at Brown University where he was instrumental in launching their historic $3 billion campaign. Before Brown, Don served as Vice President for Advancement at Carleton, Dickinson, and Colby-Sawyer. He orchestrated two successful campaigns, and he led strategic planning processes at each institution. Earlier in his career, he served as Director of Annual Giving at both Georgetown University and the University of Virginia.

Don specializes in organizational development for nonprofits with particular expertise in philanthropy, fundraising, and leadership. His collaborative approach has proven to be highly effective at helping clients articulate strategy, execute impactful programs, mold teams, and build institutional self-confidence. He also carries a portfolio of high-level executive search projects and frequently places and coaches CEOs and Presidents, CDOs, and Vice Presidents. Don’s clients include some of the most recognized organizations in higher education, independent schools, national nonprofits, foundations and institutes, and more.

Don has served as a CASE Circle of Excellence Judge, led the CASE conference on capital campaigns, and served on the Commission of Philanthropy. He has been a regular presenter at the CASE International and CASE DI and DII conferences. He also is the author of Lessons for the Modern Campaign published in the CASE International Journal of Educational Advancement and a CASE white paper on the Performance Management Maturity Model for Higher Education Advancement. Currently he writes a popular LinkedIn article series called “Coach’s Corner” focusing on leadership and management issues in advancement.

Don received his BA from New England College, an MA from the University of Maryland, and a doctorate from the University of Virginia.

Jerel Booker

Principal

jbooker@zrgpartners.com

Jerel Booker is a seasoned executive specializing in talent strategy, organizational growth, and executive search, with over two decades of leadership experience across higher education, K–12, and nonprofit sectors. Most recently, he served as Associate Managing Principal and Chief Operating Officer at TM² Executive Search, where he conducted national executive searches and oversaw enterprise operations—aligning people, processes, and performance to drive organizational growth and client impact. Previously, Jerel held senior executive roles in government, education, and nonprofit leadership, including Assistant Deputy Commissioner at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, where he oversaw internal division operations, staffing, and institutional statutory compliance within core functions. His leadership spans core operational domains including finance, human capital, technology, contracts, marketing, and enterprise risk management.

Kim Farr

Senior Associate

kjfarr@zrgpartners.com

Kim Farr serves as a Senior Associate with ZRG Partners, where she develops outreach strategies to build and refine candidate pools and establishes enduring relationships with ALG candidates in the process.

Kim has worked in the field of advancement for more than 20 years. Her expertise includes annual giving, prospect research management and analysis, stewardship, and development writing. Most recently she served as development officer for foundation relations at Clark Atlanta University, a historically Black institution and the nation’s first to award graduate degrees to African Americans.

Kim has worked on multiple fundraising campaigns throughout her time in philanthropy. At Year Up as Manager of Institutional Giving, her work with foundation donors generated most of the dollars raised in excess of the $5.25M campaign goal and expanded the program by fifty percent. As the Senior Research Analyst at Spelman College, she led the prospect research team that completed the groundwork for the College’s historic, $157M campaign, which tripled financial support for students, increased investment in faculty and academic programs, and provided capital improvements to campus infrastructure.