Recent Program Features
We are proud to celebrate the success of our faculty, students and programs. We welcome you to learn more about our college through reading our recent features!
Amy Cooney is a seasoned executive with more than two decades of expertise in advancement, brand marketing, and product development. A dynamic and values-driven leader, she brings a powerful combination of strategic acumen, cross-sector experience, and a deep commitment to mission-driven work. As the Vice President of University Advancement, Amy provides strategic leadership and oversight of advancement initiatives, fundraising efforts, and capital campaigns. Her focus on donor engagement, major gifts, and portfolio strategy has led to year-over-year fundraising growth and increased institutional visibility.
Amy’s passion for operational excellence has been a catalyst for growth using data-driven strategies to enhance philanthropic support. Her collaborative leadership extends across departments and organizations, including serving on the President’s Cabinet and mentoring students.
Before her role in higher education, Amy built a robust career at AgStar Financial Services (now Compeer Financial), where she held multiple leadership roles. As Vice President of Brand Marketing and Communications, she led a team of professionals, overseeing strategic marketing, corporate communications, market research, and product development. Her visionary leadership contributed to significant impact on key market strategies and financial results through integrated marketing efforts. Amy pioneered AgStar’s CRM and digital marketing strategies and played a key role in branding, client insights, and cross-functional initiatives. She also led enterprise-level projects, such as CRM implementation, online banking systems, and strategic client service model development.
Amy holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota and is pursuing her MBA at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Her professional development includes training from elite institutions like the Kellogg School of Management and the American Management Association, with a strong emphasis on strategic marketing, fundraising, and leadership.
Amy and her husband have four children. She actively supports community youth programs, including 4-H, adaptive skiing and riding programs, and other sports organizations.
Henry Morris is the Vice President of the office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Minnesota State University, Mankato. As the Chief Diversity Officer, he provides leadership for the development and implementation of university-wide diversity policies, practices and initiatives including programs for at-risk students. He also provides leadership to the staff and programs of the Women’s Center, LGBT Center, Multi-Cultural Center, and the Opportunity, Access, Success- Intercultural Services Center. Finally, he provides overall leadership to major diversity/cultural programs and diversity enrollment management initiatives and represents the University in system-wide and community decision-making/strategic planning endeavors related to institutional diversity issues; and works collaboratively with academic departments, student affairs departments, and financial departments.
Achievements
Dr. Morris has served on many University and community committees and boards. In addition to serving on community boards, he has also served in numerous leadership positions in the State of Minnesota and the Greater Mankato Area (e.g. Chair of the Greater Mankato United Way Board of Directors, executive positions of the Mankato, YMCA, Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts) and he is a former member of the Minnesota Combined Charites Board. In his many University and community positions, Dr. Morris has been and continues to be a voice for access and inclusion.
Background
Prior to joining Mankato, Henry worked at William Paterson University and the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Morris earned his Bachelor of Arts at Hamilton College, his Master of Arts at the University of Rhode Island, and his Doctor of Education at The University of St. Mary’s of Minnesota. He has also earned other leadership certificates.
