Joel Lauer has joined St. Mary’s University’s Advancement team as Executive Director for Law School Advancement. He brings with him more than 15 years of senior-level advancement experience, including serving as the key development director for a law school.

Most recently, Lauer was the Senior Development Director at Washburn University Foundation in Topeka, Kansas. Additionally, Lauer served as the dual Director of Annual Campaigns and Director of Advancement for the School of Law, where he orchestrated a substantial increase in money raised for the university.

Prior to joining the Washburn team, he served as the Financial Development Director at the YWCA of Topeka. During his tenure at the YWCA he managed the first capital campaign at the organization in more than 25 years, completing the campaign early and above goal.

His teaching experience includes positions at Washburn University, Southern Illinois University of Carbondale and the University of Nevada at Las Vegas as a debate coach, and an intercultural communication and public speaking professor.

Lauer is a former board member of the Topeka chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. He earned a Master of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Political Science.

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