Laura Turner to Join Drexel University as Senior Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Laura Turner will join Drexel University as senior vice president for Institutional Advancement.

Dear Members of the Drexel Community,

It is with great excitement that I announce the appointment of Laura Turner as Drexel University’s senior vice president for Institutional Advancement, effective September 1, 2025.

Laura is an accomplished fundraiser with a proven track record of success and a dynamic leader committed to fostering community, strengthening team collaboration and empowering individual growth. As the associate dean of Development at New York University’s (NYU) Arts & Science, Laura led fundraising efforts that aligned with academic priorities in support of educational and research needs for 16,000 students, 57 departments, 11 centers and 1,100 faculty.

Under her leadership, in 2024, NYU’s Arts & Science had the most successful fundraising year in its history. Prior to her role at NYU’s Arts & Science, Laura joined NYU’s Silver School of Social Work in 2019 as the assistant dean of Development where she established collaboration between the offices of development, enrollment and finance to enhance support and stewardship; revitalized the Dean’s Council into an effective philanthropic volunteer group; and led a planned giving effort for NYU faculty that created new giving opportunities campuswide. Prior to her time at NYU, Laura held various fundraising positions at the University of Texas at Austin.

During my tenure as dean of NYU’s Arts & Science, I had the opportunity to work closely with Laura and observe firsthand her dynamic and entrepreneurial leadership. She excelled at engaging leaders, faculty, professional staff and alumni to rally around a shared mission: advancing university priorities, driving innovative research and supporting students. Laura is not only a mentor who equips a team to grow and thrive professionally, but also a trusted colleague who deeply values the importance of building meaningful connections with a university’s alumni community.

Laura’s appointment follows the departure of David Unruh, who served as senior vice president of Institutional Advancement for 11 years and most recently led the University’s most ambitious fundraising and engagement campaign. We are incredibly grateful to David for his leadership and wish him well in his next endeavor at George Washington University. David will conclude his tenure at Drexel on July 21. Helen Bowman, executive vice president, chief operating and financial officer, and treasurer will provide administrative oversight in the   interim until Laura’s arrival on September 1.

I am confident that Laura’s leadership at this pivotal moment for Drexel — and for higher education more broadly — will help strengthen the University’s position as we advance strategic priorities in support of our mission. Please join me in congratulating Laura and welcoming her to the Drexel community.

Sincerely,

Antonio Merlo, PhD

President