Professional Associations
Melissa Ford was appointed as Park University’s chief advancement officer in December 2023. In her role as CAO, Ford is charged with developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies that support the University’s mission and goals. She is responsible for growing the advancement program through annual giving, alumni relations, corporate and foundation relations, capital campaigns, major gifts, planned giving, stewardship, advancement services and special events. Ford also works with the University’s Board of Trustees and the Park University International Center for Music Foundation Board to further strengthen philanthropic support in support of faculty and student endeavors with an established, successful advancement team.
Ford joined Park University as its associate vice president for advancement after coming from the University of Missouri – Kansas City where she served as director of philanthropic giving for the School of Science and Engineering since 2021. Ford has nearly two decades of experience fundraising for Kansas City nonprofits, including the Kansas City Ballet, Girl Scouts of NE Kansas and NW Missouri, and United WE. In addition, Ford served as executive director for the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America for more than five years.
Ford earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance performance from Oklahoma City University. A committed community volunteer, Ford serves as a Girl Scouts troop leader, is a member of the Kansas City Young Matrons and the Kansas City Ballet Guild’s Board of Directors, serving as its president in 2022-23.