We Will Not Forget
In light of the death of George Floyd, as the most recent and horrific example of institutional racism and injustice in the United States, anger and frustration have exploded into the streets. Whether expressed through peaceful protest or through civil unrest that has turned violent and unsafe, the underlying issues continue to be at the absolute heart of our work to transform lives and society.
Understanding, empathy, and acceptance tend to grow as education takes root. Our work to advance education is critical to the social, cultural, and economic progress that is necessary to reduce barriers between people so we can move forward together. Intolerance and prejudice are not unique to the United States, as demonstrations across the globe have shown. Many nations struggle with truth and reconciliation following generations of inattention, inequity, and racism. The global response in recent days highlights the need for intensified efforts in support of systemic change—a need that CASE continues to address through our work in support of diversity and inclusion in the advancement professions and in the institutions we serve.
At our global all-staff meeting on Monday, I asked that everyone take a minute of silence to consider what we can do—individually and collectively—to address the issues of race and prejudice that continue to stand in the way of our vision of a more just, equitable, and compassionate country and world. And as I sat silently, I could not help but reflect on the all-too-many images and names that came to mind. Sandra Bland. Philando Castile. Michael Brown. Breonna Taylor. Laquan McDonald. And now, George Floyd.
I say their names—and ask you to do the same. Each of these names, and the many like them, comes with a story—and a family, and dreams for a better life, and pride and potential that will never now be fulfilled.
I turn to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for guidance. “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” And, “the time is always right to do what is right.”
We will not and must not forget. These deaths—as only the most recent reminders of the racism and unreasoning hatred that infect the body politic—must continue to remind us of the work yet to do, work that will require intelligence, energy, and engagement. We must stand up and say, unequivocally, that we are committed to racial justice and equal opportunity on our campuses and in our communities, that we will work today and every day in support of the role that education plays in advancing a more just and equitable society.
Thank you for your support and leadership against intolerance and injustice.
Sue Cunningham
President and CEO, CASE
About the author(s)
Sue Cunningham is President and CEO of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), which supports over 3,000 schools, colleges and universities worldwide in developing their integrated advancement work (alumni relations, communications, fundraising and marketing operations). As CASE President and CEO, Ms. Cunningham provides strategic and operational leadership for one of the largest associations of education-related institutions in the world with members in over 80 countries. She started her leadership role at CASE in March 2015.
While at CASE, Ms. Cunningham has engaged CASE in two strategic planning processes. The first, which engaged thousands of CASE volunteers, resulted in Reimagining CASE: 2017-2021, and created an ambitious framework for serving CASE’s members and championing education worldwide, which included a comprehensive restructure of CASE’s volunteer leadership and governance structure. Building on the strengths of this plan, she led a recalibration exercise that resulted in Championing Advancement: CASE 2022-2027. This Plan articulates a clear strategic intent: that CASE will define the competencies and standards for the profession of advancement, and lead and champion their dissemination and application across the world’s educational institutions.
Among the key initiatives that have developed under her leadership include the redesign and delivery of a new global governance structure. In addition, CASE acquired the Voluntary Support of Education survey and created CASE’s Insights, CASE’s global research and data efforts. CASE published the first global and digital edition of CASE’s Global Reporting Standards and Guidelines, which operate as the industry-leading Standards for the profession, and launched the first global Alumni Engagement survey in addition to annual fundraising surveys. CASE created an ambitious competencies model across all advancement disciplines and a related career journey framework; opened the CASE Opportunities and Inclusion Center which focuses on equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging; and has reinvigorated a global advocacy agenda to communicate the value of education. Ms. Cunningham serves as a Trustee and Secretary for the University of San Diego, and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Board. She is a member of the Signature Theatre (Arlington, Virginia) Board of Directors, Chairs their Governance Committee, and sits on the Executive Committee. She is a member of the Washington Higher Education Secretariat steering committee, the International Association of University Presidents Executive Committee, and the International Women’s Forum. She has recently been named to the new, US-based Council of Higher Education as a Strategic Asset. She is the author of ‘Global Exchange: Dialogues to Advance Education’.
Prior to her appointment to CASE, Ms. Cunningham served as Vice-Principal for Advancement at the University of Melbourne where she led the Believe campaign resulting in surpassing its original $500 million goal; and the Director of Development for the University of Oxford where she led the development team through the first phase of the largest fundraising campaign outside of the United States (at the time): Oxford Thinking, with a goal of £1.25 billion. She served as Director of Development at Christ Church, Oxford and as Director of External Relations at St. Andrews University.
Before working in education, Ms. Cunningham enjoyed a career in theatre, the arts and the cultural sector. She is an Honorary Fellow of the Melbourne Graduate School of Education and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. In 2012, Ms. Cunningham received the CASE Europe Distinguished Service Award, and has received the coveted CASE Crystal Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Ms. Cunningham was awarded a master’s degree from the University of Oxford, a bachelor’s degree in performing arts from Middlesex University, and is a graduate of the Columbia University Senior Executive Program.