SAN DIEGO, Calif. — March 17, 2025 — Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) is proud to announce the appointment of Heather Cordell (‘01) as the university’s new Vice President for University Advancement, effective April 28, 2025.
A seasoned leader with nearly two decades of advancement experience in Christian higher education, Cordell brings a proven record of fundraising excellence, donor engagement, and strategic vision. Her appointment follows a comprehensive national search process that involved broad stakeholder engagement, input from faculty and staff, and deep institutional discernment.
Cordell returns to her alma mater from Azusa Pacific University, where she served as Executive Director of Major and Planned Gifts and helped launch APU’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign. Prior to that, she served in various advancement roles at Biola University over 18 years, including Vice President for Advancement, where she led a team of more than 25 and helped raise a record-setting $51.7 million in a single year.
“As an alum from the class of 2001, my four years at Point Loma were invaluable in preparing me for a life of service, faith, and pursuing excellence in the workplace,” Cordell shared. “The foundation I received at Point Loma shaped my career in advancement, and I am deeply honored to return and contribute to the university’s mission in a meaningful way.”
Cordell will lead efforts to grow PLNU’s endowment, strengthen donor and alumni relationships, and shape a comprehensive vision for advancement that supports the university’s mission and the OnePLNU strategic plan.