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POSITION: Vice President for Advancement
DEPARTMENT: Advancement
LOCATION: Main Campus, Harrisonburg | CC 311
PHONE: (540) 432-4499
Kirk L. Shisler, served Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) as vice president for advancement from April 1, 2005 to June 30, 2026. As of July 1, 2026, Shisler assumed the role of senior gift planning advisor with a focus on enabling alumni and donors to leverage tax-wise giving objectives through their philanthropic support of EMU.
Shisler, a 1981 EMU alum, led the EMU advancement team in raising over $125 million during his tenure. An experienced planned giving professional, Shisler has also led the university in growing its heritage society (Jubilee Friends) membership of future estate commitments to nearly 600 members with future gifts valued at over $35 million. Most recently, he led the launch and implementation of EMU’s 5-year $40 million Forward Together capital campaign. At the completion of the campaign’s third year, over $34 million or 83% of the campaign goal has been achieved at the 60% duration point of the campaign.
Prior to his current assignment at EMU, Shisler served in a variety of roles since 1981 with ProLiteracy Worldwide, a nonprofit international literacy organization based in Syracuse, N.Y., that was formed by the 2002 merger of Laubach Literacy International and Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. This oldest and largest nongovernmental literacy organization in the world pursues a mission of sponsoring educational programs that help adults and their families acquire the literacy practices and skills they need to function more effectively in their daily lives.
Shisler joined Laubach Literacy International in 1981 as public communications officer. In 1984 he became director of planned giving and in 1988 was appointed director of fund development.
From 2002 to 2005 Shisler served as vice president for fund development with ProLiteracy Worldwide. In this capacity he supervised an eight-member staff and assumed the lead role for major gift development for ProLiteracy’s U.S.and International programs.
Shisler is a native of Telford, Pa., a 1976 graduate of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School, Lansdale, Pa., and received a bachelor of arts degree in English from EMU in 1981.
BA, Eastern Mennonite University
