Heath Peterson

Heath Peterson, a Hugoton, Kansas, native, has devoted more than two decades to serving the University of Kansas and advancing the mission of the KU Alumni Association, culminating in his appointment as the Association’s 10th president in November 2015. In this role, Heath leads efforts to foster lifelong connections and relationships that strengthen the University and celebrate the enduring legacy of excellence shared by its students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends.

Under his leadership, the KU Alumni Association has developed a strong spirit of collaboration, positioning the Association as an innovative, trusted and strategic partner of KU. He strongly believes that an informed, engaged and active alumni network, where all Jayhawks feel they belong, is vital to helping KU achieve its full potential.

As president, Heath works closely with the National Board of Directors and the Chancellor to shape the Association’s vision, strategy and governance as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. He oversees a talented team of 42 staff members who manage initiatives connecting KU’s global network of 400,000 alumni, including a diverse portfolio of programs and services such as:

• Student recruitment efforts in collaboration with KU Admissions
• The Student Alumni Network, KU’s largest student organization
• Legislative advocacy supported by a statewide network of 1,500 alumni volunteers
• Partnerships and support for Kansas Athletics 
• Collaborative fundraising with KU Endowment to build a strong culture of philanthropy and a pipeline of future donors to help build a stronger KU
• Partnerships with KU Career Centers and alumni career development through the Jayhawk Career Network, emphasizing mentorship between alumni and students
• Online and print communications to inform and engage alumni, inspiring pride and connection as well as volunteer and philanthropic support
• Geographically based alumni networks connecting Jayhawks worldwide in their local communities
• Affinity based networks such as the Veterans Alumni Network, Black Alumni Network, Hispanic Alumni Network, and retired faculty network – The Endacott Society 
• Partnerships and collaborations with various units such as KU Innovation Park’s Oread Angel Investors, KU Libraries, KU Honors Program and more

The Association’s achievements under Heath’s leadership include: 

• The creation of the Jayhawk Welcome Center and renovated Adams Alumni Center, a $30 million privately funded project that redefines the prospective student experience as well as alumni and student engagement. By collaborating with university leaders, Heath helped craft a compelling vision to showcase the essence of being a Jayhawk through personalized storytelling exhibits. The building elevates KU’s brand, creates an unmatched first impression for all visitors to the Lawrence campus, and provides a home for alumni, students, faculty and staff as the setting for numerous KU events.
• The launch and ongoing development of the Jayhawk Career Network, which provides career resources, mentoring opportunities and industry connections for thousands of students and alumni. With more than 15,000 participants, KU Mentoring+ boasts strong satisfaction ratings and impressive annual growth. It serves as a tremendous resource for students, connecting them with alumni at every career stage across numerous industries.
• Working with KU Medical Center and alumni leaders to integrate the KU Medical Center Alumni Association into the KU Alumni Association, creating an opportunity for a more unified alumni experience for graduates of all KU programs and campuses while enhancing resource stewardship.
• Diversifying and strengthening revenue streams to ensure a fiscally strong Association, notably the creation of a robust Corporate Partner Program. The program helps the Association create value for alumni and friends and generate new resources to sustain current and future programs and services. As a result, the Association is a key stakeholder in KU’s Jayhawk Community Partner initiatives. 

Heath values involvement in the Lawrence community, serving as a member of The Chamber Lawrence Board of Directors, Bishop Seabury Academy Board of Trustees, Leadership Lawrence, volunteering as a classroom teacher for Junior Achievement, and supporting the Ballard Center. 

Heath earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the KU School of Education & Human Sciences. He and his wife, Dr. Carrie Peterson, a KU graduate and dentist, are proud to share their Jayhawk pride with their three children, Beau, Presley and Claire.