VCU news

By Tom Gresham

Elizabeth Bass will become assistant vice president of alumni relations at Virginia Commonwealth University on Nov. 4.

Bass will lead efforts to connect VCU’s 200,000 alumni with their alma mater in meaningful and long-lasting ways.

“Elizabeth’s expertise in mentoring, networking and professional development is exactly what is needed to continue our progress with the implementation of our strategic plan for alumni relations, ELEVATE,” said Jay E. Davenport, vice president of development and alumni relations. “I am confident her leadership, paired with the tenacity and dedication of our team of alumni professionals and volunteers, will further enhance VCU’s ongoing engagement with alumni worldwide.”

Since 2013, Bass has served as executive director of MENTOR Virginia, a statewide organization that partners with schools, universities, corporations and nonprofit organizations to increase the quality and quantity of mentoring relationships and to promote effective youth mentoring across the commonwealth.

“VCU Alumni welcomes Elizabeth. Her experience and skills complement the existing leadership and development teams,” said Dale C. Kalkofen, Ed.D., president of VCU Alumni. “We are honored to have participated in the selection process and are especially happy to bring a VCU alumna to the role of assistant vice president of alumni relations.”

For more than a decade previously, Bass worked with various nonprofits in engagement and volunteer leadership capacities, including as executive director of Madison House, the student volunteer center at the University of Virginia. 

Bass has served on the board of directors for ReadyKids!, formerly Children, Youth and Family Services, in Charlottesville, Virginia, and as a class trustee and Young Alumni Council member for the University of Virginia. She is a member of the Leadership Metro Richmond Class of 2015, a board member for the Grace Covenant Child Development Center in Richmond and has served as chair of the Affiliate Advisory Council for MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership.

Bass earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Virginia and a master's degree in social work from VCU.

“I am thrilled to be joining the outstanding team in alumni relations at VCU,” Bass said. “I look forward to drawing on my own perspective as an alumna of the VCU School of Social Work, as well as leveraging my experience from the nonprofit sector developing partnerships and working towards a common vision. It is an exciting time for VCU alumni relations, building on the ELEVATE plan and connecting with our Ram alumni worldwide.”