Jeff Martin, serves as the Vice President of Advancement at Western Governors University (WGU). With more than seventeen years of leadership in higher-education Advancement, Jeff has built a strong track-record of impact—guiding teams that have collectively raised over $300 million to expand access, elevate academic excellence, create state-of-the-art facilities, and transform student lives.

Jeff’s journey in Advancement began at his alma mater, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he first represented—and ultimately led—fundraising efforts for the university’s renowned Departments of Chemistry and Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering. His success on campus soon led him to San Francisco, where he was tapped to lead Illinois’ West Coast Advancement Office, expanding the university’s reach among alumni and partners across the region.

After nearly eight years of service at Illinois, Jeff moved to the University of Utah, taking the helm of the College of Science Advancement Office. There, he and his team secured funding for two major building projects, advancing the university’s scientific mission and transformational student experiences.

Jeff was later recruited by Michigan State University, where he led Advancement for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. During his tenure, his team raised more than $135 million, including support for three significant building initiatives—a testament to his experience in building strong advancement operations and forging relationships to inspire philanthropic investment.

As a former scholarship athlete at the University of Illinois, Jeff understands firsthand how access to higher education can shape a life’s trajectory. His passion for WGU’s mission, however, is also deeply personal. Jeff’s mother, Mary, lost both parents by age twelve. Despite excelling academically, early hardships required her to enter the workforce directly after high school. Jeff often reflects that had WGU existed during her formative years, her career—and her life—might have been entirely different.

This connection fuels his commitment to WGU’s belief that “talent is everywhere, but access is not.” Jeff is driven by a desire to remove barriers and create pathways for learners who have the ambition and work ethic to succeed but need an opportunity to unlock their potential.

“A degree is not merely a token of accomplishment, It is a key that opens doors for upward mobility.”