Frances Brooks, MA, CFRE, joined the Indiana University Fort Wayne Office of Academic Affairs and Operations on May 3. As the campus’ first development and community engagement director, she will work collaboratively with the Indiana University Fort Wayne leadership and executive boards, the IU Fort Wayne Community Advisory Board, and gift officers from the IU School of Medicine, IU School of Nursing, IU School of Dentistry, IU School of Health and Human Services, IU School of Social Work, and the Richard Fairbanks School of Public Health to create and implement a comprehensive development and engagement plan for IU Fort Wayne. 

“Indiana University Fort Wayne offers a unique health sciences focus to energize and support the needs of our frontline essential workers,” said Brooks. “This next generation of healthcare professionals will lead health efforts as we see the results of the pandemic response. It is exciting to be a part of IU’s growing presence in Fort Wayne.

“I look forward to supporting career development for those pursuing education in physical, mental and oral health across the IUPUI Schools which form IU Fort Wayne, as well as engaging with the community and Indiana University alumni across northeast Indiana.”

IU Fort Wayne is committed to providing excellent and affordable health science education and prepares outstanding health professionals to be clinicians, educators, researchers and leading innovators. Nearly 1,000 undergraduate students are pursuing their education through IUFW along with over 150 medical students and graduate social work students.

“We are excited to bring Frances on board at IU Fort Wayne.  As we continue to grow the health science programs on the Fort Wayne campus, we will look to Frances to lead our development and community engagement initiatives by expanding awareness of IU Fort Wayne in the region,”   Ann Obergfell Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs.  “”

Brooks is a Certified Fund Raising Executive, holds a certificate in Fundraising Management from Lilly School of Fundraising IUPUI, is the Incoming President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Northeast Indiana, and is a member of the Leadership Fort Wayne Class of 2020. A lifelong Hoosier, she holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Huntington University.

Active in Fort Wayne as a volunteer with Art The Way, and as a member of Avalon Missionary Church, Brooks previously worked for the Parkview Health as a Foundation Director. Her experience also includes philanthropic and community engagement roles at SCAN, Inc.; McMillen Health; and Lasting Change; as well as the Fort Wayne Newspapers.