Removing Alumni Giving Rates from US News’ Ranking Methodology

Robert Morse is chief data strategist for U.S. News & World Report and has worked at the company since 1976. He develops the methodologies and surveys for the Best Colleges, Best Graduate Schools and other U.S. News annual education rankings, keeping an eye on higher-education trends to make sure the rankings offer prospective students the best analysis available.  He is the author of Morse Code:  Inside the College rankings blog provides deeper insights into the methodologies and is a forum for commentary and analysis of college, grad and other rankings.

Matthew Lambert oversees all William & Mary efforts related to alumni engagement, private fundraising and philanthropic outreach, university marketing, and alumni communications. A graduate of William & Mary with a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology, Lambert earned a master's degree from The Ohio State University, and a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to returning to William & Mary in 2013 as the vice president for university development, he was associate vice president in Georgetown University's Office of Advancement.

With over 25 years in advancement analytics, Cara Giacomini serves as the vice president of data, research, and technology for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). In this role, she leads CASE Insights—a primary resource and service provider for data, benchmarking, analytics, and original research to the educational advancement community worldwide. Cara's previous experience includes more than two decades leading research efforts at the University of Washington. She received her PhD in English and Textual Studies from the University of Washington. 

Jocelyn Kane has been at Yale University for more than twelve years, and before taking on the role of Managing Director, led the Yale College Alumni Fund. Previously she served as the Director of Annual Giving at Trinity College and as the Manager of Individual Giving at AFS Intercultural Programs. She's an active member of the Annual Giving Directors Consortium (AGDC) and holds a Master's in Direct Marketing Communications from New York University as well as a Bachelor's in English and History from Colby College.

With more than 12 years of experience in annual giving and educational fundraising, Tyrell Warren-Burnett has led programs at Oregon State University Foundation and Washington State University. His other experience includes work with CASE–including nine awards for presentations–as well as branding and sales work with Moneyball Sportswear. He holds a B.S. in Retailing from Michigan State University, and an M.B.A. from Ashford University.

Dan Allenby is an author, speaker, and consultant who has worked with educational institutions for over 25 years to improve their fundraising results. An internationally-recognized expert on annual giving, he is the recipient of CASE’s prestigious “Crystal Apple” award for teaching excellence. He is principal and founder of Annual Giving Network and previously led annual giving and membership programs at Boston University, Tufts University, Georgetown University, and the National Geographic Society.