Dr. Chris Jones is a higher education executive, scholar-practitioner and advancement leader with more than 15 years of experience spanning Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and research universities. Jones joined the Winston-Salem State University staff in September 2026. His career has centered on institutional advancement, philanthropy, revenue generation, strategic leadership and intercollegiate athletics, with a record of building high-performing teams, developing meaningful partnerships, and creating strategies that strengthen institutions and expand opportunities for students.
Jones has held leadership positions at North Carolina Central University, Temple University and Rutgers University, where his work has included major and principal gifts, annual and planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, campaign strategy, donor engagement, athletics development and revenue generation. Throughout his career, he has managed significant philanthropic portfolios and secured multiple six- and seven-figure commitments while partnering with university executives, academic leaders, boards, alumni, donors and corporate partners to advance institutional priorities.
Most recently, Jones served as Deputy Athletics Director for Development and Revenue Generation at North Carolina Central University, where he was the chief development officer for athletics and provided leadership across development, marketing, corporate partnerships, ticketing, donor relations and other external revenue initiatives. During his tenure, philanthropic support increased 52 percent, the number of donors increased 32 percent, corporate sponsorship revenue increased 21 percent, and ticket sales increased 30 percent. NCCU Athletics also recorded four sellouts and achieved 100 percent occupancy of premium seating. In addition to his external affairs responsibilities, Jones served as the sport administrator for football, where he led fundraising strategies that increased the football foundation account to more than 133 percent.
Jones earned his Doctor of Education in Higher Education from Temple University. His doctoral research examined the factors influencing alumni philanthropy at private HBCUs, with particular attention to institutional trust, the alumni experience and relationship-building. His work reflects his broader interest in higher education leadership, institutional advancement, HBCU sustainability, philanthropy and the role of engagement in strengthening colleges and universities.
In addition to his administrative leadership, Jones has contributed to higher education as an educator and thought leader, teaching and speaking on topics related to higher education, philanthropy, HBCUs, sport management, marketing and organizational strategy. His professional and scholarly work is grounded in a commitment to connecting research, strategy and practice to advance institutional excellence and student success. Jones also serves as an adjunct faculty member and capstone advisor in the School of Continuing Studies – Sports Industry Management at Georgetown University.
