The University of St. Thomas named Kia Kriticos Wissmiller as the director of major constituents. She assumes her new responsibilities July 1. A 1999 University of St. Thomas graduate, Wissmiller currently serves as director of alumni relations and annual giving. She will replace Debbye Crofoot-Morley, who now holds the position of director of development.

As director of major constituents, Wissmiller will manage current University major donors as well as develop new benefactors.

“Kia has done a superb job of building the combined alumni and annual fund operation,” said Ken DeDominicis, vice president of Institutional Advancement. “As we build an organization capable of developing and executing the most ambitious capital campaign in UST history, we will need our most talented staff – such as Kia – to take on major campaign assignments.”

As director of alumni relations and annual giving, Wissmiller established the first University student-alumni mentoring program. This program has resulted in several students obtaining internships and/or employment after graduation. Wissmiller develops, plans and implements alumni events including the fundraising fashion show sponsored by Neiman Marcus-Galleria. The fashion show raised $35,000 for scholarships in its first year, and in its third year, the event raised more than $55,000. She also coordinates Second Collection, an annual fundraising effort partnering with more than 160 Catholic churches in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. This event raises more than $120,000 for scholarships with parish donations increasing by 10 percent annually.

“As an alumna, I feel this is an exciting time at UST, and I’m looking forward to this new challenge and working more closely with individuals, foundations and corporations to sustain their philanthropic legacy,” Wissmiller said.

Wissmiller previously worked as a promotions and marketing coordinator and special projects manager for the Houston Museum of Natural Science