JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Lincoln University Interim President Dr. John Moseley announced on Friday (June 25) that Kevin Wilson has accepted the newly created position of Vice President of Advancement, Athletics and Campus Recreation. Wilson's responsibilities will include fundraising for the university, directing the department of athletics, and overseeing the campus recreation center, the Linc.
 
Wilson will begin his duties on July 1. A formal introductory press conference will be held at a date to be determined.
 
"I am thrilled that Kevin is joining our team at Lincoln," Moseley said. "His energy is contagious and his passionate belief in the benefits of a college education are evident to anyone who spends even just a few minutes with him. His long and diverse background in athletics includes positions at everywhere from HBCUs to NCAA Power Five schools, and his experience will benefit not just our athletic department, but our campus community as well. It's a great time to be a Blue Tiger, and I'm excited that Kevin will be a part of Lincoln's bright future."
 
A proven veteran in both the realms of college athletics and university development, Wilson has experience working at a plethora of different programs, ranging from Historically Black Colleges & Universities to the highest level of NCAA Division I. Wilson's resume boasts success as both a fundraiser and as an athletic administrator, and his vast experience has led to multiple invitations to give presentations at multiple national conferences over the past eight years.
 
"I am humbled and ecstatic to lead Advancement, Athletics and Campus Recreation at Lincoln University of Missouri," Wilson said. "I jumped at the chance to further the mission of the founding members of the 62^nd and 65^th Colored Infantries, compete in a conference of champions like the MIAA, and engage one of the most diverse alumni bases in the country at any level. My family and I cannot thank the Board of Curators, Dr. Moseley and the search committee enough for this unique opportunity. We look forward to calling Jefferson City home for years to come."
 
Wilson comes to Lincoln from Florida A&M University, where he oversaw athletics development, licensing, marketing, strategic communications and corporate partnership initiatives. Wilson also served as a liaison to the FAMU Foundation and was the sport administrator for the baseball and men's golf team. Baseball reached its conference tournament and men's golf secured its first-ever conference championship during his tenure.
 
Prior to moving to Florida A&M, Wilson worked at Washington State University, serving as an Assistant Athletic Director with the Cougar Athletics Fund. Wilson raised over $1 million during his tenure including numerous commitments of over $50,000 for scholarships and capital projects. He also served on the Athletics Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Council and the LGBTQ+ Sub-Committee, helping to strategically create an atmosphere of inclusiveness at WSU.
 
From 2016-19, Wilson was the Assistant Athletic Director for Championship Resources at the University of Central Florida and secured over $1.5 million in new major gift commitments supporting the program's football, men's basketball and women's basketball teams. Wilson's contributions translated onto the field, as both the men's and women's basketball teams reached the NCAA Tournament, and the UCF football team went from being winless in 2015 to going undefeated in 2017 for the first time in program history.
 
Wilson began his career in college athletics at North Carolina Central University, starting as the Director of Basketball Operations for the men's program before transitioning into a role as a development associate. His first job as an Assistant Athletics Director came at Fayetteville State University, where he oversaw all development and marketing initiatives for the athletic department. Wilson would later return to NC Central in 2014 to become the Associate Athletic Director for Development, leading the department to unprecedented growth in philanthropic giving.
 
A three-year Letterwinner on the Duke University football team, Wilson graduated in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in philosophy. Wilson later earned a master's degree in physical education, with a concentration in athletics administration, from North Carolina Central in 2012, and he is currently pursuing a doctorate in leadership in education administration at the University of Florida.

He is also a proud graduate of the prestigious Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute and a member of both the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD). Wilson additionally serves on the NAADD Diversity working group, a support network for minority development professionals in the industry through education, advocacy, and awareness.

Kevin and his wife, Dr. S. Lavi Wilson reside in Jefferson City and are the proud parents of Kendrick (5) and Knox (1).
 
 
What leaders across the country are saying about Kevin Wilson:
 
Johnny Dawkins - 1986 Naismith College Player of the Year, NBA veteran and current head men's basketball coach at the University of Central Florida: "Kevin is a builder. He has the tools to navigate this ever-changing athletics landscape. He made an immediate impact on our program by identifying key stakeholders in a short order. His ability to inspire others elevated the student-athlete experience and cemented our program amongst the top of the AAC. I have no doubt he will work tirelessly to do the same at Lincoln University of Missouri."
 
Dr. Daniel J. White – Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics at the University of Tennessee: "I am extremely happy for Kevin and his family as he moves into the role of Vice President of Advancement, Athletics and Campus Recreation at Lincoln University. Kevin is a charismatic and dedicated leader who will be a great fit for Lincoln."
 
Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree – Athletic Director at North Carolina Central University: "I'm very thrilled for Kevin to have this opportunity. It's been a pleasure not just to have him on my team at NCCU but also to be a part of his circle. I think he's going to do a phenomenal job. He has the patience and the know-how. Kevin's a very smart individual and has seen athletics from all levels, and I think that's what's going to propel him and help the program at Lincoln."
 
Michael Connell – Acting Vice President for University Advancement at Washington State University and CEO of the WSU Foundation: "Kevin has an excellent understanding of advancement and athletics. He is articulate, bright and passionate about the well-being of student-athletes. And I do mean student-athlete; he is just as concerned about their success in the classroom as he is their success in competition. I think Lincoln University made an outstanding hire."
 
Michael Morseberger – Former Vice President for Advancement at the University of Central Florida and CEO for the UCF Foundation: "I worked with him for a few years, and it's hard not to fall in love with his great smile, firm handshake and beautiful family. He's got a great work ethic; he's lived that dream, worked hard to get a scholarship to attend college and wants to give those opportunities to other young men and women. He takes a real donor-centric approach. It's not about what the university needs from the donor, but about what the donor wants, and that attitude has helped him be really successful. I'm excited for him, I think Lincoln will be a great opportunity."
 
Zach Maurides – Founder and CEO of Teamworks: "I think Lincoln has made a brilliant decision, and I'm thrilled for both Lincoln and for Kevin. One of the things about Kevin as a leader in college athletics is that he personally is someone who has experienced the value of being a student-athlete, and what it can do for you, your life and your family in terms of creating opportunities. As a leader, what excites me about this hire is that he's worked at multiple levels across college athletics and in multiple roles. His career has really prepared him to come in and understand from top-to-bottom and from left-to-right what it takes to deliver on the promise that an athletic department makes to its student-athletes."