Advancement Team

ehogue@ccu.edu
303-963-3093

Eric Hogue

Vice President of University Advancement and President-elect

Eric Hogue joined Colorado Christian University as the vice president of Advancement in January 2018. In this role, he oversees all university fundraising efforts including campaigns for annual, capital, endowment, planned gifts, alumni, parents, and athletics. Eric serves on the President's Cabinet and Executive Cabinet. Before joining CCU, he served for six years as the chief development officer (CDO) of William Jessup University in Rocklin, California, where he successfully tripled WJU's endowment fund and navigated two separate and successful campus capital development campaigns.

Eric is also known for his roles as a former political candidate; practicing theologian and pastor; and long-tenured radio, television, and media professional. He enjoys stewarding relationships toward biblical generosity for Christ-centered higher education. In December 2022, Eric published "The Winning Side of the Ask: The Heart and Skills of the Donor-Centric Professional Fundraiser," to help nonprofits design a successful philanthropic culture.

His hobbies include watching sports and documentaries, reading good books, cooking, and running. Eric has been married to Tammy Hogue for more than 30 years and together they are the parents of two wonderful daughters, two amazing sons-in-law, and three brilliant grandchildren.

jsneed@ccu.edu
303-963-3032

Jill Sneed

Executive Assistant to the Vice President

Jill Sneed joined the Advancement team in April 2019. Jill brings experience from Life's Options Pregnancy Center a nonprofit in Evergreen, Colorado, where she served as executive director for 12 years before coming to CCU. Jill received a degree in sociology from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. Jill's passions lie in mentoring, leadership, and community. Jill and her husband, Dave, have three adult children and one daughter-in-law. She enjoys photography, skiing, hiking, and spending time with her family and dogs.

agrogan@ccu.edu
303-963-6511

Amanda Grogan

Senior Director of Major Gifts

Amanda Grogan joined Colorado Christian University as a Senior Director of Major Gifts in May 2022. As a seasoned development officer, her role is laser-focused on connecting and fostering Christ-centered relationships that advance God's mission for CCU. Amanda received her Bachelor of Music Education from Northern State University and her master's degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She comes to CCU from the University of Denver, where she served as Director of Development for the Daniels College of Business for four years. Before her time at DU, she spent seven years working with CU Boulder's College of Engineering and Applied Science advancement team and three additional years with CU System Advancement in annual giving which supported all four campuses. Amanda has been married to her husband Bill for more than 10 years and is the proud mother of her three children – William, Molly, and Evelyn. She loves singing, spending time with family and friends, and finding new restaurants in her spare time!

mheckelmann@ccu.edu
303-963-3343

Learn more about Mark Heckelmann

Mark Heckelmann

Director of Major and Planned Gifts

Mark Heckelmann joined Colorado Christian University as the director of major and planned gifts in August 2019. His role is to connect with those seeking to advance and support the mission of CCU and grow the Harwood Legacy Society. Mark received his Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from Kansas State University. Before joining the Advancement team, Mark served for four years as the annual fund manager at Valor Christian High School. Mark has been married to his bride, Ty, for over 30 years, who also serves at CCU as the campus development project manager. Both are passionate about Christian higher education. They are parents of two sons, one daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren. Mark is an active member of Wellspring Church and in his spare time loves to ski, play golf and tennis, cook, and garden.

bwall@ccu.edu
303-963-3187

Brian Wall

Athletic Director

Brian Wall earned his Master of Science in Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska/Kearney and did his undergraduate work in education at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Before coming to CCU, for 31 years, Wall served as the Superintendent of Faith Christian Academy, a K-12 Christian School which serves over 1,000 students. Wall took over the CCU athletic program in the Spring of 2017. CCU competes in one of the top NCAA Division II athletic conferences in the country; the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). CCU is the smallest NCAA Division II school competing nationwide and the only evangelical Christian school among the 15 RMAC member schools. With over 240 athletes in 15 sports at CCU, the athletic department has grown almost by 40 athletes in just 5 years. I am so grateful for the privilege of leading CCU Athletics as we seek to honor Jesus both inside and outside of our competitive venues. It is such a blessing to be able to support excellent CCU Coaches, staff members, and athletes as we "Dream Big, Pray Hard, and pursue excellence, that God may receive the glory!"

kjohnston@ccu.edu
303-963-3320

Learn more about Kara Johnston

Kara Johnston Mott

Director of Alumni and Parent Relations

Kara Johnston brings more than a decade-and-a-half of experience in higher education to her role at CCU. She previously served as the director of development and alumni relations at the Denver campus of Johnson and Wales University for eight-and-a-half years. Kara also spent seven years as the director of alumni relations and annual giving at Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Kara spearheads several projects intended to deepen bonds between alumni, students and their families, and the University. She has been tasked with establishing a comprehensive and professional parent relations department for the College of Undergraduate Studies (CUS). For the College of Adult and Graduate Studies (CAGS), Kara is developing an overarching effort to better connect CAGS alumni to their alma mater.

mrummel@ccu.edu
303-963-3269

Matt Rummel

Director of Data and Donor Services

Matt Rummel has been with CCU since the late summer of 2014. During his time at CCU, he has assisted with a few different departments (the University's Dual Credit program, the Admissions department for the College of Undergraduate Studies, and the Office of University Advancement). In February 2018, Matt joined the Office of University Advancement where he assists the team in database administration and reporting. Matt obtained a bachelor's degree in mathematics, a minor in athletic coaching, and a master's in secondary education from Grand Canyon University. He enjoys the beauty of our state and participates in many outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, running, cycling, and camping.

dvannice@ccu.edu
303-963-3197

Davina Vannice

Scholarship Coordinator

Davina Vannice joined the Colorado Christian University Advancement team in July 2021. As the Scholarship Coordinator, she works directly with donors who are interested in establishing scholarships and walks them through the process. She also facilitates the donor/student relationship by hosting the Annual Scholarship Luncheon and encouraging communication between the donors and students. She previously worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs in both Finance and Human Resources from 1989 to 2006. Davina felt called and blessed to be able to become a stay-at-home mom for the next 15 years. She is excited to rejoin the workforce here at CCU. Davina and her husband, Josh, have been married for over 25 years and they are the parents of four wonderful children. She brings a unique perspective to the Advancement team as the parent of two current CCU students and one CCU graduate. Davina loves spending her free time with family and friends.

canewton@ccu.edu
303-963-3358

Carrie Anne Newton

Assistant to the President for Board and Donor Relations

Carrie Ann Newton recently joined the CCU Office of the President and Advancement team as the assistant to the president for board and donor relations. Carrie Ann brings recent experience as the director of development at the Independence Institute in downtown Denver, years of experience in IT, and extensive skills in customer service. Carrie Ann is an optimistic, detail-oriented, technologically savvy servant leader who will be a natural liaison and strong communicator with the populations she will serve. She is fully aligned with CCU's mission and Strategic Priorities. Carrie Ann is married to Jason Wayne Newton and they have a blended family with seven children, five daughters and two sons, ages 12 to 26. They are active members of Fellowship Community Church in Centennial and are engaged in worship, hospitality, and security ministries.