Dr. Chris Maggio has been named director of alumni and development at Northwestern State University.
Maggio will head NSU’s fund raising efforts including the university’s capital campaign which will be announced next year. He will oversee the NSU Foundation, NSU Alumni Association, as well as the Offices of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Affairs.
“Chris is an individual who has a great love for Northwestern and its people,” said NSU President Dr. Randall J. Webb.” “I know he will continue working diligently to help the university continue to move forward. His enthusiasm is contagious and has a way of helping rekindle the positive feelings alumni and friends have for this special place.”
A 1985 graduate of Northwestern in physical education, Maggio earned a master’s in physical education at Northwestern. He received a doctorate in developmental education from Grambling State University.
Maggio has been a member of Northwestern’s staff of 15 years. After serving as assistant track and field and cross country coach for one year, he was head women’s track and field and women’s cross country coach from 1989 until 1994 when he was named assistant athletic director.
Later that year, Maggio was named director of admissions and recruiting and was promoted to director of enrollment services three years later. In 1999, he was selected to be director of alumni affairs.
Maggio was an instructor in the Department of Health and Physical Education from 1988 until 1994. In 2002, he was made an assistant professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance. Before returning to NSU, Maggio was an instructor and coach at St. Mary’s School in Natchitoches.
His professional involvement includes membership in the Association of Louisiana Alumni Executives which he chaired in 2001-02. He is also a member of Phi Delta Kappa, the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education and Recreation and the Graduate “N” Club.
Maggio is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Natchitoches, the Advisory Board of First Federal Bank of Louisiana, the City of Natchitoches Economic Development Commission and the Natchitoches Parish Hospital Foundation Board.
He was co-chair of the NCAA Cycle II Certification Process for the NSU Athletic Department and has served on several campus search committees.

A business administration graduate (B.B.A. ’62) of Texas Tech University, Gustwick joined the NSU staff in May, 1995. Prior to coming to Northwestern, Gustwick spent 28 months on active duty with the U.S. Army, worked as assistant director of alumni relations at Texas Tech for 10 years and for 6 years was the alumni director at the University of North Texas. He also was employed at LSU for 15 years with the Alumni Association before moving to Northwestern.
As Director of Institutional Advancement, he is responsible for major fund raising efforts for the University. He also is the Executive Director of the NSU Foundation and in that capacity oversees endowed scholarships (totaling over 4 ½ million dollars), acts as the liaison between the University and the NSU Foundation Board of Directors and coordinates endowed professorships and endowed chairs funded by private gifts and matched by the Board of Regents Support Fund. Gustwick and his wife, Linda, reside in Natchitoches.

A 1985 and 1986 graduate of Northwestern State University, Sharon earned two B.S. degrees, one in business administration and the other in computer information systems. Before returning to Northwestern as a professional Sharon gained experience in business working as a Registered Representative for the Insurance Retirement Benefits Industry for over 15 years.
Sharon joined her alma mater as a staff member in 2002 as the Assistant Director of Institutional Advancement and the NSU Foundation. Sharon assists in fundraising activities, maintains the NSU President’s Council, coordinates events and facilitates donor relations. Sharon is also responsible for assisting NSU donors with the planned giving alternatives. Sharon is a native of Natchitoches and currently resides there where she contributes much of her time to her two children. Sharon also devotes her efforts to the community through volunteer work.

Jill Parker Bankston is a 1997 graduate of Northwestern
State University. Jill graduated from NSU with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management and tourism and a minor in business. Jill served as Director of Youth Ministries at First United Methodist Church and worked part time as a teacher at St. Mary’s School in Natchitoches for five years prior to joining the NSU Alumni & Development staff. As the Assistant Director of Development, Jill is in charge of facilitating donor relationships to help provide scholarship opportunities for students at Northwestern State University. Her fundraising efforts help upgrade NSU’s educational programs. Jill also assists in all fund raising efforts and coordinating alumni and development events.
Jill is the wife of Jay Bankston and the proud mother of two sons, Jake 5 and Parker 2. She is currently a member of the First United Methodist Church, New Beginnings Sunday School class, a provisional member of the Natchitoches Service League and a two-year member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.

Kristi Simms is originally from Nashville, Arkansas. She
attended Northwestern State University and graduated in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations. She went on to receive a master’s degree at NSU in Student Personnel Services in 2003.
Kristi works as the Prospect Researcher for the Alumni and Development office at Northwestern. Kristi is responsible for providing information to the staff about donor opportunities as well as updating and maintaining the prospects file system. Kristi maintains the office correspondence and organizes regular reports and updates to track our growth in the areas of donor relations and fundraising. Kristi is married to Luke J. Simms of Alexandria, Louisiana. They live in Natchitoches with their daughters Madison and Peyton.

Rejoining the NSU Athletic Department last fall, Charlie Vienne handles development activities as Executive Director of the NSU Athletic Association. The Natchitoches native spent 2000-02
in Shreveport as the Division Manager of Special Facilities for the
City of Shreveport, with is primary focus being management of Independence Stadium and Fair Grounds Field.
In his previous involvement with NSU Athletics, Vienne was the athletic facilities manager from 1995 to 1997, and the athletic business manager from 1997 to 2000.
Vienne, a standout high school athlete at St. Mary’s in Natchitoches, earned an undergraduate degree in business administration in from Northwestern in 1991. He received a master’s degree in sport administration in 1993 from Georgia Southern.
His wife, Kristy, is also a Northwestern graduate and a Natchitoches native. She works in Auxilary Services on campus.

As Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs, Janay is responsible for the administration and coordination of alumni programs. This involves the planning of traditional programs such as homecoming, tailgating, leisure travel, reunions, receptions, and other special events. Janay is also responsible for the implementation of the alumni Annual Fund and updating and maintaining the alumni web site. She also serves as liaison with the publishing of the Alumni Columns Magazine.
Janay earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a concentration of Public Relations and a minor in Business from NSU in 1999. Before joining the Alumni Affairs staff in July, 2001, she previously worked for the University in the Office of Admissions as an admissions counselor. Janay is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and is married to Jacques Matt IV.

After serving as Payables Manager in Business Affairs at NSU for five years, Joe Ann transferred to the Office of Institutional Advancement in 1985. She earned her Master’s degree in Educational Technology from NSU in 1996.
As the Donor/Research accountant Joe Ann is responsible for overseeing all aspects of finance and accounting for the NSU Foundation, which in includes the Alumni Association. She also assists in maintaining the computer network for the Alumni database and helps troubleshoot computer problems and computer maintenance in the Alumni Center.

Kelly Kay is a native of Natchitoches where she graduated from Natchitoches Central High School. She attended Northwestern State University and graduated in 2002 with a degree in General Studies. Kelly joined the staff at Northwestern’s Alumni and Development office in August of 2002. Kelly is the Administrative Secretary for the NSU Foundation as well as Institutional Advancement. Kelly lives here in Natchitoches with her husband Jay and their three children Justin, McKenzie, and Mason.

As the Office Coordinator Connie manages the day to day efficient operation of the Alumni Center along with the clerical needs of the office. She answers incoming calls, supervises student workers and handles routine business. Connie is the first contact most alumni have when calling or visiting the office, so she must be well versed on all activities and programs being offered. She helps to coordinate and oversee special events like alumni receptions, golf tournaments, homecoming, and reunions. Connie joined the Alumni staff in November 2000. Connie, a Natchitoches native, is married to Mark White, and they have two daughters, Megan and Cady.