As Assistant Dean for Advancement in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, Jon Salvani is a professional fundraiser. He manages and leads a team of advancement professionals who work with donors to support programs, students, faculty, and staff at the University of Illinois, primarily in the College of Fine and Applied Arts. In many ways, Salvani’s position is quite cemented in the business world.

“There are so many aspects of advancement and fundraising,” he explained. “It’s not just fundraising; it’s almost similar to sales except that we’re not selling a tangible product, but more so selling an experience. I tell people that it’s a very ‘business’ position, just at a university.”