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Chase McNamee headshot photo

Chase McNamee

Senior Project Manager

  • Staff
  • Community + Values

chase.mcnamee@du.edu

303-971-6260 (Office)

What I do

At DU, Chase McNamee serves as a Senior Project Manager in the Office of the Provost. In his work, he supports DU IMPACT 2025, the University's strategic plan, by working directly with University leadership and others involved in implementation. Additionally, Chase manages the Community + Values initiative, an initiative aimed at increasing the sense of belonging and community at the university. Before coming to DU, Chase practiced in institutional advancement in higher education. Chase earned his doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University in the Higher & Postsecondary Education Ed.D. program. Additionally, he earned his BA in History and his Master’s in Counseling at the University of Wyoming.

Professional Biography

Dr. Chase McNamee is a scholar-practitioner in higher education and institutional advancement. He currently works full-time as a Senior Project Manager in the Office of the Provost at the University of Denver, where he manages the DU Impact 2025 Strategic Imperatives projects and Community + Values, an initiative aimed at increasing the sense of belonging and community for the DU community, including students, alumni, faculty, staff, and beyond.

He has served in a variety of roles as a practitioner and leader in higher education and institutional advancement, including in the Provost's Office, Chancellor's Office, alumni relations, donor relations & stewardship, fundraising, development strategy, and gift processing and management. 

Dr. McNamee graduated with his doctorate in Higher & Postsecondary Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. His dissertation was entitled, Evidence-Informed Institutional Advancement: An Organizational Understanding. This study sought to better understand two main ideas around institutional advancement in higher education: the knowledge and evidence that informs practice and the structures and systems that are set up for the sharing of this knowledge and evidence within and across these organizations.

He serves as a research fellow for The Tzedakah Lab at Teachers College, Columbia University and Associate Editor of Philanthropy & Education. His research focuses on evidence-informed practice and policy and identity-based philanthropy in institutional advancement and higher education. His most recent published work is “Breaking Stereotypes About Alumni Donors: Who Gives First? A Discrete-Time Hazard Model” in The Journal of Higher Education.

Degree(s)

  • Doctor of Education, Higher & Postsecondary Education, 2022, Teachers College, Columbia University
  • Master of Science, Mental Health Counseling, 2015, University of Wyoming
  • Bachelor of Arts, History, 2013 University of Wyoming

Research

  • Organizational studies in higher education & advancement
  • Organizational learning in higher education & advancement
  • Evidence-informed practice and policy in higher education & advancement
  • Philanthropy in higher education 
  • Identity-based philanthropy

Featured Publications

Performances

Presentations

Refereed Papers and Presentations:

  • McNamee, C. D., McNamee, T., Abad, A. & Drezner, N. D. Increasing access for whom? Using Critical Race Theory to examine endowment spending's relationship on access for Students of Color. Presented at 2019 Association of the Study of Higher Education Annual Conference.
  • McNamee, C. D. & Drezner, N. D. (2018). Breaking stereotypes about alumni donors: Who gives first? Presented at 2018 Association of the Study of Higher Education Annual Conference.

Non-Refereed Scholarly & Professional Presentations:

  • McNamee, C. D., Martin, S., & Montelibano-Gorman, M. (2022). Internal Advancement Strategies. Alumni Belonging Consultants.
  • McNamee, C. D., Le Roux Dillon, J., Martin, S., Montelibano-Gorman, M., Moore, A.P., & Reynolds, E. (2021). Alumni Relations Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Workshop. Alumni Belonging Consultants.
  • Ayers, A. A., & McNamee, C. D. (2021). DU culture: Survive or soar? Presented to University of Denver Deans’ Council, Chancellor's Cabinet, Vice Provosts, Associate Vice Chancellors, and Assistant Vice Chancellors.
  • Ayers, A. A., & McNamee, C. D. (2020). Seeing, changing, and activating culture. Presented to University of Denver Deans’ Council,  Chancellor's Cabinet, Vice Provosts, Associate Vice Chancellors, and Assistant Vice Chancellors.
  • McNamee, C. D., & Babian, C. (2018). The work of Development & External Relations (DERO) at Bank Street College. Presented to college campus leadership, faculty, and staff.
  • McNamee, C. D. (2015, 2016). Developing empathy and understanding in conflict: A leadership session. Presented at Laramie County Community College Leadership Institute, a group of over 30 student leaders from student government, residence life, and campus activities.
  • Carrier, J. W., Courtney, N., & McNamee, C. D. (2015). Creating successful learning environments for high needs students. Workshop presented for Laramie County Community College’s Center for Teaching and Learning.
  • McNamee, C.D. & Gross, M. (2015). Students on the autism spectrum within higher education. Mental health counseling presentation. 
  • McNamee, C. D. & Herdt, B. (2015). Finding your path: Orientation 2015. Presented at eight University of Wyoming freshmen orientation sessions.
  • McNamee, C. D. (2014). Career resources and building your résumé. Presented to various classes and study skills groups at the Albany County Campus – Laramie County Community College.
  • McNamee, C. D., Hunt, D. & Bilodeu, A. (2014). Career counseling in higher education. Career counseling presentation.
  • McNamee, C. D. (2013-2016). The WYO-Gold Student Alumni Association: A UW Alumni Association student program. Presented to various campus departments, recognized student organizations, and the UWAA Board of Directors.

Media Talks, Features, and Appearances

Current Service & Volunteering

DU Staff Advisory Council (SAC), 4D Committee Co-Chair, Member, March 2021 – Present

Co-lead the staff 4D Experience committee to encourage staff engagement in the 4D experience on campus.

Philanthropy & Education Special Interest Group, American Educational Research Association, Program Co-Chair Officer, June 2023 – Present

Bring together researchers and members of the philanthropic foundation and non-profit communities interested in developing and disseminating knowledge about philanthropy in educational policy and practice.

Whites Organizing for Racial Change (WORC), Co-Chair, Member, September 2021 - Present

Co-lead a campus network who holds space for DU community members to support racial justice and the responsibility white people have in building a more just and fair community in solidarity with people of color