Jonathan Hernández
- Position: Assistant Director of Philanthropy
- Department: University Advancement
- Hometown: Durham, North Carolina
What was your path to this position?
It was graduation week at my alma mater (HUGE shout out to Kenyon College) and they offered me a position in their two-year advancement fellowship. As a soon-to-be college graduate with no job and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, I knew this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
Two years later, the college offered me a full-time position in the annual giving office. I was flattered but knew I had to leave the harsh midwest winters and return to North Carolina.
I landed a job at United Way of Greater High Point supporting their corporate fundraising, which only ended up being a two-week stint. When NC State called me about an opening, I simply couldn’t resist.
Why were you interested in this position / in working at the Wilson College?
I knew I wanted to continue fundraising in North Carolina, but I wanted to be strategic in finding the “right” fit. While looking for an institution with an established legacy of excellence, I also wanted to work somewhere with a visible hunger for more. NC State offered both.
I did some research on the available positions and it was immediately clear that the Wilson College of Textiles was the perfect fit. With monumental achievements such as the naming of the college and consistent influence on an entire industry, I knew I had to get involved.
I am honored to help secure resources for talented students, faculty and research initiatives, and I’m humbled to be a part of such an innovative and caring community.
What are your duties on a day-to-day basis?
My day-to-day involves a lot of messaging. Phone calls, voicemails, texts, emails, postcards, networking, messenger pigeons — you name it. If it gets me in front of anyone who might want to support the college philanthropically, I’m working on it.
I’ve also spent my time learning about the Wilson College. I’ve gained a stronger understanding of the technology behind our college, alumni experiences and how much the school has changed over the past 50 years. I still have a sliver in my office from my first campus tour!
The college’s unique and exciting history makes my job easier when it comes to connecting people to resources. As opposed to arbitrarily asking people for money, I get to share an envisioned meaning of change and support out to our community to help make it happen.
What is your favorite part of your job and/or working at the Wilson College of Textiles?
My favorite part of my job is the laughter and memories I’ve shared with our alumni and friends at the college. A quality education like ours has the power to change the entire trajectory of someone’s life, and although my job is to secure resources and funding, I feel like I’ve truly done my job when I can get someone to relive a special moment or get excited about what’s to come. In my case, that usually sounds like laughter coming from the other end of the phone.
What do you like to do outside of work
I love country line dancing, which I usually do at least once a week, but sometimes up to 3. I also enjoy playing video games, singing and watching a good movie.
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