Meet your Advancement team
UF is on the move, Norman Hall is full of activity and our team is growing. We’re here for you, EduGators — let’s connect!
Jim Burke
Senior Director of Advancement
jburke@coe.ufl.edu
352-273-4141 (o)
770-601-7283 (c)
Twitter: @jimburke3
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-burke-689b323/
Jim grew up in Calhoun, GA, and attended Calhoun High School where he was active in sports and church, and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. After high school, Jim matriculated to North Georgia College (University of North Georgia) in Dahlonega, GA on the Georgia Military Scholarship. He served in the National Guard for eight years, attained the rank of staff sergeant and served as a tank commander for the HHQ company in the 108th Armor Division during Operation Desert Shield/Storm.
Jim’s first day with the College of Education at the University of Florida was April 18. Prior to that, he was the Executive Director of Development at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS.
Jim has been married to Connie Bowman Burke for 29 years and they have four children, Matthew (28), Ashley (27), Grant (22) and Anna (21).
Q&A
What is it you actually do here?
I am the lead person for the office advancement and alumni with of the college of education. Our team extends the work college by supporting our alumni and raising philanthropic dollars to support our faculty and students.
What’s something you love about the college?
I love that we are developing the next generation of teachers and leaders.
What’s your favorite quote, or words to live by?
From the famous philosopher: Yoda – “Do. . .or do not. There is no try.”
What does giving back mean to you and why is it important?
Giving is the result not the reason. When we, as a community, deliver on our promises then gifts will come from donors to support the causes that are important to them and to the college and the university.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Spend time with family, run/hike/walk, and anything Disney.
Orange or Blue?
Orange, definitely.
Trevon McCary-Glenn
Interim Associate Director of Development
tmccary-glenn@coe.ufl.edu
352-273-4149
Twitter: @tre_glenn
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/trevon-mccary-glenn-6516a785
Trevon is originally from Jonesboro, GA, just south of Atlanta. He currently lives in Gainesville with his girlfriend and their two dogs. Trevon attended Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA and graduated in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management. After graduating, he worked for Georgia Southern Athletics as the Assistant Ticket Manager for Sales & Fan Experience. After being exposed to the world of fundraising in athletics, he moved to the Office of Annual Giving within University Advancement at Georgia Southern as the Coordinator of Annual Giving for Campus Philanthropy in the spring of 2018. The urge to become a frontline fundraiser led him to the College of Education at the University of Florida. Trevon is currently still enrolled at Georgia Southern University finishing up his master’s in Higher Education Administration.
Q&A
What is it you actually do here?
I engage with our College of Education and P.K. Yonge alumni and friends to connect their affinity and passions back to the programs and areas they would like to support the most.
What’s something you love about the college?
I love the historic building of Norman Hall that we get to work in every day. The Starbucks isn’t a bad perk either.
What’s your favorite quote, or words to live by?
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. – Wayne Gretzky” – Michael Scott or “If your not first, your last” – Ricky Bobby
What does giving back mean to you and why is it important?
Knowing that I’m helping create opportunities for future students who’s career trajectory could be impacted motivates me to give.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I live for the fall to watch college football. I also love to try new breweries.
Orange or Blue?
Blue
Sunnie Pearson
Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs and Constituent Relations
spearson@coe.ufl.edu
352-273-4142
Twitter: @sunniepearson
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sunnie-pearson-748722b6
Sunnie is the Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs and Constituent Relations at the University of Florida College of Education.
Sunnie is a life-long resident of Starke, FL, a small town between Gainesville and Jacksonville. Being from a small town just outside of Gainesville, she was a Gator at birth. Much of her childhood was spent coming to campus for the museums, football games and the homecoming parades. However, she didn’t truly become a Gator until she started attending school here. As the alumni representative, she has the pleasure of connecting the people who love the College with the people and programs that make the university a success. Sunnie loves hearing from the greater community and creating meaningful engagement opportunities for them. She is always looking for ways to learn and grow and being a government planner at a higher education institute gives her the ultimate advantage. Sunnie and her husband chose to stay in their hometown to raise their two boys on a cattle farm surrounded by a large extended family.
Q&A
What is it you actually do here?
As the Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs & Constituent Relations I am responsible for developing targeted constituent programming that support the college’s priorities in alignment with the strategic plan. It is my responsibility, and pleasure, to create and implement opportunities that enhance alumni and constituent involvement and engagement. So, reach out and tell me why you love being a Gator!
What’s something you love about the college?
I love the sense of family here at the College between the faculty, staff, and students. Everyone here is genuinely looking to make the world a better place and it shows through their hard work and compassionate spirit.
What’s your favorite quote, or words to live by?
“Elegance is when the inside is as beautiful as the outside.” -Coco Chanel
What does giving back mean to you and why is it important?
Giving back means giving of my time, service, or money any way that I can. I wouldn’t be where I am without the people who have given before me. I want to make a better way for someone else, and that is why giving is important to me.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of work I want to be outside! I’m a wife and mother to two teenage boys and there is nothing better than all of us being together fishing, hiking, biking, or swimming.
Orange or Blue?
Orange, because it is the color of the sunrise and sunset. And it is the color of the flame I hope to never lose within me.
Chelsea Maxwell
Administrative Support Assistant III
cmaxwell@coe.ufl.edu
352-273-4140
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chelsea-maxwell-20440754
Chelsea grew up north of Orlando in Lake Mary and moved to Gainesville in 2009. She received a bachelor’s degree from UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences in 2014. Prior to working at UF, Chelsea spent 10 years at LifeSouth Community Blood Centers with the Five Points of Life Foundation, where she secured sponsorships, coordinated fundraising events and managed administrative details for the Foundation. In February of 2020, Chelsea joined UF at Central Advancement supporting the Chief Development Officer and then with the College of Education in November 2021. Chelsea lives in Archer with her husband and two girls Ella (7) and Abigail (3), and their pup, Maggie.
Q&A
What is it you actually do here?
I support the office of Advancement, which includes calendar management, being a liaison between the UF Foundation and our office, donor stewardship, scholarship tracking, fund management and helping wherever and whenever I can.
What’s something you love about the college?
I love the building itself. I love walking around because I see something new every day. It’s such a wonderful, beautiful space.
What’s your favorite quote, or words to live by?
Don’t sweat the petty things and don’t pet the sweaty things.
What does giving back mean to you and why is it important?
If you have the time, means and resources to still live a fulfilling life while giving back, it’s truly more gratifying. It’s amazing to me that the wishes of so many donors are to constantly improve the life of others through scholarships, continuing education, travel, resources, etc.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love spending time on the water, cooking, Gator football and spending time with my husband and 2 mini me’s.
Orange or Blue?
Orange!
