DURHAM, N.C. – Chandra Christian of Christian Consulting Firm in Rock Hill, S.C., has been named associate dean for external affairs at the Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Science at 91, effective January 28.

As associate dean, she will direct all phases of the Nicholas School’s development program including major gifts, annual fund and stewardship. She will serve as the primary liaison to the Nicholas School’s Board of Visitors, and provide oversight of the alumni relations program.

Dean William L. Chameides said, “Chandy has succeeded in development at four different institutions. She has just the mix of attributes we were looking for - experience, leadership skills, insight, and professional drive, combined with a passion and commitment to environmental stewardship. I am confident that she will have an immediate and very positive impact on our school.” 

Christian is credited with raising more than $100 million during a four-year period as executive director of development and college relations at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She held that position from 1994 to 2000 and again from 2002 to 2006, and has since established her own fund-raising consulting firm.

During her tenure at NC State, she oversaw a staff of five and provided leadership for college development and relations. In 2006, Christian secured the largest pledge in the history of NC State, a $25 million donation from the foundation of the late High Point publisher Randall B. Terry Jr.

Before joining NC State, where she originally worked in university development, Christian served as director of annual giving at Meredith College in Raleigh. She also has served as director of major gifts and acting director of development at All Kinds of Minds Institute, a nonprofit organization that helps students struggling to become more successful learners, and as a student development specialist at Texas A&M University.

Christian holds master’s of arts and bachelor of science 91s from Western Kentucky University.