Dr. Vita Pickrum joined Delaware State University in 2008 and serves multiple roles including as the Vice President of the Division of Institutional Advancement, the President of the Delaware State University Foundation, and as of January 2020, Chair of the 12th President’s Transition Team. She is responsible for overseeing all private fundraising for the University, alumni relations, development, and donor relations. Under her leadership, both private fundraising and alumni participation have substantially increased. 

Dr. Pickrum has established strategic public and private partnerships that have yielded significant financial support for the University.  She serves on the President’s Administrative Council and is the staff lead for the Delaware State University Board of Trustees’ Innovation and Sustainability Committee. Also, Dr. Pickrum oversees the management of the University’s Endowment Investment Managers.  Dr. Pickrum is the founder of the HBCU Philanthropy Symposium – currently celebrating its 10th year.

In 2017, the Delaware Alliance of Nonprofit Agencies (DANA) and the Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) elected Dr. Pickrum to each of their Board of Directors, and she recently was appointed for second terms on each organization’s Board. 

In 2018, Dr. Pickrum received an appointment to the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Board of Trustees, after serving on the Commission for Philanthropy and the National Committee for Institutionally Related Foundations.  Of particular note, Dr. Pickrum was recognized with the 2018 Professional of the Year Award from CASE District II, out of 700 professionals.

In 2020, Dr. Pickrum was appointed to the Association of Governing Boards Council of Foundation Leaders.  In this same year, Dr. Pickrum was elected as the Vice-Chair of the newly established CASE Committee for College and University Foundations representing over 800 community colleges and Universities.  

Her professional career includes working for a United States Senator, owning small businesses, working in Higher Education, and consulting to non-profit organizations.

Dr. Pickrum earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Delaware State University in May 2016 and has a Master of Science degree and a Bachelor of Science degree from Howard University and numerous achievement certificates.