Alumni, Engagement, and Philanthropy

Kris Phillips ('91, '21) returned to APSU, his alma mater, in 2016 after a 16-year tenure at the University of Tennessee and the UT Health Science Center. In his role, he oversees the APSU Foundation, Alumni and Annual Giving, Philanthropy and is responsible for all university engagement and fundraising activities. Kris and his wife, Tammy, have two sons, Brayden and Parker. Parker is also an Austin Peay graduate and a former Governors baseball player. In 2023, Kris and Tammy became proud grandparents to their first grandchild, Jack.

Vonda is a 1983 graduate of APSU. After several years in non-profit service and fundraising where she received statewide recognition for her efforts in support and advocacy, Vonda returned to her alma mater in 2010 and currently serves as Assistant Vice President of Philanthropy. In her role, Vonda provides leadership to a dynamic team of dedicated fundraising professionals who work to advance the mission of Austin Peay and meet the strategic goals of the University. Vonda is a graduate of Class of 2001 Leadership Clarksville and former Manna Café and Salvation Army Board member.

Kimberly Adkison ('06, '10) is a Clarksville native and an APSU graduate with degrees in professional studies and management. She serves as the senior director of donor relations and scholarships. Kimberly oversees stewardship management and scholarship compliance.

Erin is a 2017 graduate of APSU. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations. Previously, Erin worked in community and partner relations in the greater Nashville area before returning to Austin Peay in 2022. In her role, Erin works directly with College of Behavioral and Health Sciences, Eriksson College of Education, and University College donors to meet the strategic goals of the University. Erin is married to her college sweetheart, William Morton (’16).

Lee Persinger (’91) is a graduate of Austin Peay. She has a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Marketing. She returned to the University in 2022, and is currently the Director of Corporate Relations and Strategic Alliances. Her work is focused on partnerships that support our strategic plan for student and faculty success, as well as community impact. Lee works with all of the colleges within the university as well as Student Affairs and Community Relations. Prior to joining the team at Austin Peay, Lee worked in employee relations and human resources management for a large, local manufacturer. Earlier in her career, she worked with corporate and non-profit fundraising in the Nashville and Clarksville markets. Lee is a Clarksville native with many ties to the community and University. She is the wife of Bill Persinger, University Executive Director of PR and Marketing. They have two children, Lainey and Watson.

Eric is originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he was a student-athlete at Albion College and Cornerstone University from 2012-2017 before getting his bachelor’s degree in Communications at Arizona State. As a student-athlete, he played basketball. He also obtained his master’s degree from Arkansas State University in Sports Administration in 2021. Previously, Eric worked at the University of Tennessee athletics business office before transitioning to a fundraising and marketing role at Lincoln Memorial University. Eric supports Austin Peay’s fundraising initiatives, concentrating on the College of Business and Military and Veteran Affairs.

Kendell is a 2011 graduate of the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science in Logistics and Marketing with a concentration in International Business. A native to Hendersonville, Tennessee, she is excited to be a part of the Austin Peay State University family. Kendell serves as the Director of Philanthropy for the College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics and College of Arts and Letters. She is also an active member and liaison of The Woodward Library Society. In her spare time, Kendell enjoys antique stores, picking at estate sales and discovering unique architecture and historical buildings.

Victor Felts came to APSU in 2010 after serving as an Assistant Dean at LSU and Emory University, where he primarily worked with fraternities and sororities. He has also worked at MTSU and Samford University. A Nashville native, he is a proud alumnus of Austin Peay State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Education and the University of South Carolina with a Master’s degree in Higher Education. His most recent role was as the APSU Associate Dean of Students and the Director of Student Life and Engagement. Victor serves as the Director of Philanthropy for the Division of Student Affairs.

Hannah grew up in the military. After her father retired, she ended up in Murfreesboro, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Anthropology in 2019 from Middle Tennessee State University. Following graduation, she worked in Human Resources until joining APSU in 2022.

Emily Evans ('13) is a Clarksville native and an APSU graduate with a degree in Communication - Public Relations. She previously worked with the Nashville State Community College Foundation and as Vice President of Marketing and Communication with Tiberon Services in Clarksville, TN prior to returning to Austin Peay in 2024. She oversees press releases, email marketing, website content, social media and printed materials for the division of Alumni, Engagement and Philanthropy.

In Fall 2006, Kelley earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a major in psychology and a minor in sociology. She entered the arena of higher education in 2017 and worked her way to the assistant director of admissions role at Daymar College in Nashville, Tennessee, before coming to APSU. In her position, she works with stewardship and donor relations. Kelley has a son, Richard Pardue III.