John-Paul Roczniak
John-Paul Roczniak, is president & chief executive officer for the University of Arizona Foundation & vice president of development & chief development officer for the University of Arizona. He has led the Foundation and has driven the university's fundraising efforts since 2016. Under his leadership, the $1.5 billion Arizona NOW campaign successfully concluded two years ahead of schedule, raising $1.59 billion—the largest campaign in U of A history. This record is poised to be surpassed by the current campaign, Fuel Wonder, publicly launched in November 2023 with an ambitious $3 billion goal to support the university’s strategic priorities. Noteworthy achievements during this time include transformative donations that led to the naming of three colleges and creation of 110 endowed positions, as well as the five most significant years of endowment giving in the university's history. The campaign is projected to reach its goal in 2026.
Roczniak’s 30-year career in higher education fundraising began at the University of Connecticut Foundation, followed by key roles at the U of A Eller College of Management and the University of Rochester William E. Simon Graduate School of Management. He returned to the U of A in 2007, advancing through increasingly senior positions at the Foundation and working closely with the university’s top donors. In 2020, he led the merger of the University of Arizona Foundation and the University of Arizona Alumni Association, streamlining alumni engagement and fundraising operations to align with the university's strategic plan.
Roczniak holds a Bachelor of Arts from Central Connecticut State University and is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. He has been actively involved with the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) since 1997. He and his wife, Christine, share their home with two dogs, Gracie and Livie.