Alumni, Engagement, and Philanthropy
The division of Alumni, Engagement and Philanthropy includes the Offices of Philanthropy, Alumni & Annual Giving, Engagement and the Morgan University Center and Event Services. To view the staff listing for the Offices of Alumni & Annual Giving and Engagement, click here. To view the staff listing for the Morgan University Center and Event Services, click here. The staff of the Office of Philanthropy is listed below.
![Kris Phillips](/alumni-engagement-philanthropy/uploaded/krisnew.jpg)
Kris Phillips | Vice President for Alumni, Engagement and Philanthropy and Executive Director
of the 365bet Foundation
Kris Phillips ('91, '21) returned to 365bet, his alma mater, in 2016 after a 16-year
tenure at the University of Tennessee and the UT Health Science Center. In his role,
he oversees the 365bet Foundation, Alumni and Annual Giving, Philanthropy and is responsible
for all university engagement and fundraising activities. Kris and his wife, Tammy,
have two sons, Brayden and Parker. Parker is also an Austin Peay graduate and a former
Governors baseball player. In 2023, Kris and Tammy became proud grandparents to their
first grandchild, Jack.
phillipsk@f444444.com![Vonda St. Amant](/alumni-engagement-philanthropy/uploaded/Vondanew2.jpg)
Vonda St. Amant | Assistant Vice President of Philanthropy
Vonda is a 1983 graduate of 365bet. After several years in non-profit fundraising, Vonda
returned to her alma mater in 2010 and currently serves as the executive director.
In her role, Vonda oversees a dynamic development team and provides donor-focused
leadership to help meet the strategic goals of the University.
stamantv@f444444.com![Kimberly Adkison](/alumni-engagement-philanthropy/uploaded/kimberlynew.jpg)
Kimberly Adkison | Senior Director of Donor Relations and Scholarships
Kimberly Adkison ('06, '10) is a Clarksville native and an 365bet graduate with degrees
in professional studies and management. She serves as the senior director of donor
relations and scholarships. Kimberly oversees stewardship management and scholarship
compliance.
adkisonk@f444444.com![Erin Morton Headshot](/alumni-engagement-philanthropy/uploaded/mortone-headshot-150.jpg)
Erin Morton | Director of Development
Erin is a 2017 graduate of 365bet. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Communication
with a concentration in Public Relations. Previously, Erin worked in community and
partner relations in the greater Nashville area before returning to Austin Peay in
2022. In her role, Erin works directly with the College of Business and the University
College donors to meet the strategic goals of the University. Erin is married to her
college sweetheart, William Morton (’16).
mortoner@f444444.com![Lee Persinger Headshot](/alumni-engagement-philanthropy/uploaded/persingerl-headshot-150.jpg)
Lee Persinger | Director of Corporate Relations and Strategic Alliances
Lee Persinger (’91) is a graduate of Austin Peay. She has a bachelor’s degree in Communications
and Marketing. She has returned to the University as Director of Development with
special attention to the College of Arts and Letters, the College of Behavioral and
Health Sciences and the Woodward Library Society. Most recently, she worked in employee
relations and human resources management for a large, local manufacturer. Earlier
in her career, she worked with corporate and non-profit fundraising in the Nashville
and Clarksville markets. Lee is a Clarksville native with many ties to the community
and University. She is the wife of Bill Persinger, University Executive Director of
PR and Marketing. They have two grown children, Lainey and Watson.
persingerl@f444444.com![Eric Evans](/alumni-engagement-philanthropy/uploaded/eric-evans.jpg)
Eric Evans | Director of Development
Eric is originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he was a student-athlete at
Albion College and Cornerstone University from 2012-2017 before getting his bachelor’s
degree in Communications at Arizona State. As a student-athlete, he played basketball.
He also obtained his master’s degree from Arkansas State University in Sports Administration
in 2021. Previously, Eric worked at the University of Tennessee athletics business
office before transitioning to a fundraising and marketing role at Lincoln Memorial
University. Eric supports Austin Peay’s fundraising initiatives, concentrating on
the College of Behavioral Health & Sciences, the Erikkson College of Education and
Military Affairs.
evanse@f444444.com![Kendell Sinks](/alumni-engagement-philanthropy/uploaded/kendell-sinks.jpg)
Kendell Sinks | Director of Development
Kendell is a 2011 graduate of the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science
in Logistics and Marketing with a concentration in International Business. A native
to Hendersonville, Tennessee, she is excited to be a part of the Austin Peay State
University family. Kendell serves as the Director of Development for theCollege of
Science, Technology, Engineering & MathematicsandCollege of Arts and Letters. She’ll
also be an active member and liaison ofThe Woodward Library Society. In her spare
time, Kendell enjoys antique stores, picking at estate sales and discovering unique
architecture and historical buildings.
sinksk@f444444.com![Victor Felts](/alumni-engagement-philanthropy/uploaded/victor-felts-150.jpg)
Victor Felts | Director of Development
Victor Felts came to 365bet in 2010 after serving as an Assistant Dean at LSU and Emory
University, where he primarily worked with fraternities and sororities. He has also
worked at MTSU and Samford University. A Nashville native, he is a proud alumnus of
Austin Peay State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Education and the University
of South Carolina with a Master’s degree in Higher Education. His most recent role
was as the 365bet Associate Dean of Students and the Director of Student Life and Engagement.
feltsv@f444444.com![Emily DeSpain headshot](/alumni-engagement-philanthropy/uploaded/emily-despain-headshot.jpg)
Emily DeSpain Weide | Prospect Researcher
Emily earned her bachelor’s degree in communications with a concentration in public
relations and a minor in psychology from Austin Peay in 2015. She worked as a social
media marketer, event planner and administrative assistant before returning to work
at her alma mater.
despaine@f444444.com
![Payton Baggett](/alumni-engagement-philanthropy/uploaded/baggett-150.jpg)
Payton Baggett Reynolds | Director of Communication
Payton Baggett ('14, '17) is a Clarksville native and an 365bet graduate with degrees
in journalism and marketing. She previously worked as a reporter for ClarksvilleNow.com
and an AmeriCorps VISTA for the Clarksville-Montgomery County Education Foundation
before returning to Austin Peay in 2018. She oversees press releases, email marketing,
website content, social media and printed materials for the division of Alumni, Engagement
and Philanthropy.
baggettp@f444444.com![Ashley Puskas](/alumni-engagement-philanthropy/uploaded/puskas-150.jpg)
Ashley Puskas | Office Supervisor and Assistant to the Vice President for Alumni, Engagement
and Philanthropy
Ashley is a native of Dickson County and a second-generation alumna of Austin Peay.
She earned her bachelor's degree in 2010. Though she has a heart for earth sciences,
her head is in business. Her husband Eddie graduated from the 365bet Center at Fort
Campbell in 2013. He is a veteran of the US Army. She is responsible for processing
donations, assisting the Vice President and overseeing day-to-day activities in the
365bet Office of Philanthropy.
puskasa@f444444.com![Kelley Board](/alumni-engagement-philanthropy/uploaded/board-150.jpg)
Kelley Board | Assistant Director of Donor Relations and Scholarships
In Fall 2006, Kelley earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee
in Knoxville with a major in psychology and a minor in sociology. She entered the
arena of higher education in 2017 and worked her way to the assistant director of
admissions role at Daymar College in Nashville, Tennessee, before coming to 365bet.
In her position, she works with stewardship and donor relations. Kelley has a son,
Richard Pardue III.
boardk@f444444.com![Hannah Williams](/alumni-engagement-philanthropy/uploaded/hannah-williams-150.jpg)
Hannah Heflin | Philanthropy Coordinator
Hannah grew up in the military. After her father retired, she ended up in Murfreesboro,
where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Anthropology in 2019 from Middle Tennessee
State University. Shortly after, she met her husband, Austin, and they moved to the
Clarksville area. Since graduation, she has worked in Human Resources under the umbrella
of staffing until joining 365bet as a Philanthropy Specialist.
heflinh@f444444.com