OBU Welcomes Paul as Vice President for University Advancement and Alumni
September 16, 2025
OBU has appointed alumna Julie Paul as vice president for university advancement and alumni. She will assume her duties effective Oct. 6, 2025, and will serve as a key member of the president’s cabinet. In this role, Paul will provide strategic direction and oversight for fundraising, donor stewardship, and alumni engagement while working closely with OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas to advance the university’s mission.
Paul brings more than two decades of leadership experience in advancement, higher education, business, and nonprofit development. She has a proven record of transforming fundraising performance by aligning donor strategy with institutional vision and building sustainable revenue systems.
She joins the Shape the Future campaign at an exciting stage, building on the strong foundation already in place and bringing new energy and ideas to help advance its vision.
"As I step into this role at OBU, I am energized by the incredible momentum at my alma mater,” Paul said. “Under President Thomas’ visionary leadership, OBU is advancing Christian higher education by uniting our tradition of excellent liberal arts with real world industry expertise. We are equipping students not only to thrive in today’s workforce but also to lead in tomorrow’s world. The Shape the Future Campaign captures this historic moment by expanding programs and creating collaborative spaces where students are formed as future shapers, impacting communities and advancing God’s Kingdom. It is wonderful privilege to join this team in such a season of true renaissance on Bison Hill."
As vice president, Paul will play a central role in OBU’s Shape the Future campaign, which is driving investment in academic programs, facilities and student life. She will be responsible for major and planned gifts, corporate and foundation relations, prospect research, and alumni and donor events. She will also collaborate across campus with academic leaders, student life and athletics to strengthen donor connections and broaden engagement.
"I am thrilled to welcome Julie Paul back to OBU,” said OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas. “As an alumna of OBU, she understands our university, our alumni base, and the opportunities that lay ahead. Julie is an eminently qualified advancement leader, a proven fund-raiser, and a winsome partner in the work that we are doing at OBU. She will effectively build relationships and help us achieve our goals in our Shape the Future campaign. Welcome home Julie!"
Since 2022, Paul has served as chief advancement officer at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. During her tenure, she increased annual philanthropic giving, the average size of major gifts, and the university’s endowment. She also directed an $8 million capital campaign for a new preschool and lab school and implemented new systems for donor engagement and retention.
Her earlier roles at Southeastern included serving as director of special projects in the Office of the Provost, where she designed and launched initiatives rooted in classical and Christian education. She also helped secure several seven figure gifts including more than $7 million in combined state funds and major gifts to expand academic opportunities.
Prior to her work in higher education advancement, Paul was active in both entrepreneurship and education. She founded Julie Paul Design, leading multimillion-dollar residential and commercial design projects.
She also worked as a curriculum consultant and classical education advocate, helping Christian educators develop programs for students with autism and Down syndrome.
Her background further includes corporate leadership as a regional sales director for Emser Tile and Natural Stone, where she managed multi-state sales strategy and achieved top national sales performance.
Paul graduated from OBU in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and communications. She is pursuing a master’s degree in classical studies at Southeastern University. She is expected to earn the Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential in 2026.
"My time on Bison Hill as a student was truly formative,” Paul said. “I built deep relationships that remain strong to this day, and my faith was stretched in ways that gave me eternal lessons I carry with me still. My liberal arts education sparked passions and developed skills that not only shaped my career but also led me back to OBU. I loved my time here, the people I met, the classes I took, the professors who mentored me, and the activities that enriched my life. I have always been proud to say I am a graduate of OBU. To now return home during such a historic moment and invite others to join us in shaping the future is both humbling and deeply exciting."
An Oklahoma native, Paul has been active in community and church leadership throughout her career. She has been a women’s ministry leader, special needs ministry developer and children’s church teacher. Her community service includes leadership in booster clubs, Christian school boards, nonprofit mentorship programs and fundraising showcases.