N.C. A&T Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Sigmon Retires

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Dec. 20, 2024) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Kenneth E. Sigmon, Jr. is retiring, effective Dec. 31, after more than a decade of service to the university.

An accomplished fundraising professional with more than 25 years of experience in building and enhancing philanthropic organizations in foundation and higher education settings, Sigmon has driven institutional success through strategic fundraising and development efforts. He led transformative higher education fundraising campaigns from $100 million to more than $1 billion, delivering exceptional impact across the organization.

Sigmon’s diverse professional background in development and foundation management includes alumni relations, campaign management, annual giving programs, board and volunteer management, corporate and foundation giving, principal and major gifts, stewardship and donor relations, investment and grant management, advancement operations, communications and public relations.

At N.C. A&T, Sigmon led the university’s most successful capital campaign, surpassing all public historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Garnering more than $181 million to support and advance university priorities, the effort also spurred extraordinary growth in A&T’s financial foundation and competitive standing.

Major campaign achievements include:

• Tripling the number of endowed scholarships
• Doubling the number of endowed professorships
• Securing transformative gifts resulting in the naming of two colleges
• Establishing a donor-named football stadium, the Colonial Athletic Association’s first
• Tenfold growth of the university’s endowment, which now tops $200 million
• Tripling the per-student endowment ratio, providing greater financial sustainability and increased opportunities for student scholarships and resources
• Elevating A&T into the top third of University of North Carolina System institutions in endowment performance and financial strength

These results showcase Sigmon’s ability to align philanthropic strategy with institutional growth, positioning A&T as a top public HBCU and competitive force in higher education. His work has bolstered the university’s capacity to serve students, attract top-tier faculty and drive innovation. His strategic vision and ability to cultivate meaningful relationships have transformed the university’s advancement efforts, leading to:

• Sustained giving growth of more than 300%
• Three-year giving averages exceeding $30 million annually
• Securing more than $300 million in gifts and commitments
• The largest number of seven- and eight-figure gifts in university history
• Engaging record numbers of alumni and friends
• Building and leading a team of more than 40 advancement professionals

Before joining A&T, Sigmon held several prominent leadership roles including vice president of development, Oklahoma State University Foundation; associate vice chancellor for university development, North Carolina State University; executive director, North Carolina Textile Foundation; deputy executive director and COO, The Citadel Foundation; and director, alumni annual fund and donor relations, The Citadel Foundation.

An Air Force veteran, Sigmon also held positions at Merrill Lynch, a worldwide financial management and advisory company, and Roadway Service, a global logistics and transportation provider.

A native North Carolinian, Sigmon earned a B.S. in business administration in 1985 and MBA in 1994, both from The Citadel.

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