Nolan Brunnworth is the director of corporate relations/associate director of development for the Harrison College of Business, where he connects businesses and alumni with Southeast Missouri State University. This includes resource identification, development of strategic partnerships, and alumni engagement. He is housed in Southeast Missouri State University’s St. Louis Outreach office in Chesterfield, Mo., where he previously served as a career specialist.
In his current role, Nolan oversees a comprehensive corporate relations strategy for the Southeast Missouri University Foundation. He identifies opportunities to connect corporations with departments and programs of the Donald L. Harrison College of Business. His work also focuses on establishing a prospect pool, including corporations operating in the University’s service area, alumni executives, strategic partners and corporate foundations.
Nolan plans stewardship strategies among alumni, the Donald L. Harrison College of Business, and corporate and business leadership. He serves as the Donald L. Harrison College of Business liaison to the Southeast Alumni Association, and works to enhance relationships between St. Louis alumni and the College of Business. He also assists in promoting and planning alumni activities in the St. Louis area.
Nolan, who has worked for the University for five years, graduated from Southeast in 2000 with a bachelor of science degree in marketing management. He currently is pursuing a master of business administration degree through Southeast’s online program. He says a quality education can hone critical thinking skills, but there is no substitute for experience. Nolan said Southeast’s emphasis on internships and project work prepared him for the business arena.
“I am proud to be part of such a great program at Southeast,” said Nolan. “Positioning and communications strategy drives virtually every business. I enjoy the challenge of advancing the organization through marketing initiatives.”
Prior to rejoining the University community, Nolan served as director of marketing for Lawrence Paper Company, a packaging manufacturer in Lawrence, Kan. This position allowed him the opportunity to learn about various industries and career fields.
“After a few years of working in the private sector in Kansas, I returned to St. Louis with perfect timing – my alma mater was launching an Outreach Office initiative in the metro area,” Nolan said. “Impressed with the strategy and vision of the University, I decided I wanted to be a part of the team and make an impact in higher education.
“Representing my alma mater and marketing our talented students to the St. Louis employer community means that I can drive home knowing I made a difference,” Nolan said. “Challenge and variety are also natural by-products of serving a large student body representing all of Southeast’s degree programs.”
Nolan says his position with the University Advancement division affords him the opportunity to learn from great people every day.
Reminiscing on his college years, Nolan says his favorite moment occurred when the Southeast men’s basketball team won the Ohio Valley Conference tournament in Nashville, Tenn.
“I know we’ll get back on top soon,” he said. “Our students enjoy a great college experience at Southeast, and I want athletics to be a part of that experience.”
Nolan currently lives in Arnold, Mo., with his wife Laura, son Baron and daughter Amelia. Nolan says he loves kayaking and hiking with his family and throwing Frisbees to the family dog, SEMO. Nolan says his family also likes to travel, and he considers St. John in the Virgin Islands one of his favorite travel destinations, describing it as a “beautiful and mostly unspoiled paradise.
“Alaska is in our plans,” he adds, “and I keep hearing about this Strawberry’s place down in Holcomb, Mo.,” Nolan said.
Nolan asks Southeast students to “recognize and seize opportunity – it is all around you. Surround yourself with positive, hard-working individuals – and you will grow. Step out of your comfort zone during college and maximize the experience. Givers gain. We definitely reap what we sow.”