Introducing the school’s new development director, Louie Correa
We are pleased that Louie A. Correa is joining us in June as the the school’s senior director of development. He first joined VCU in 2015 as associate director of development for VCUArts. Learn more about him in this Q&A.
Thanks for agreeing to do this! Let’s start with the big picture. What draws you to development as a career?
CORREA: I started in nonprofit management and like most development professionals stumbled into this field. I quickly fell in love with being able to visit with supporters and connect them to the causes they are passionate about. I enjoy hearing about their interests and strategizing to find the place where their interests best serve the institution.
What personal values do you draw on in your life and work? And how do you see those values fitting with those of VCU and the School of Pharmacy?
CORREA: I have a passion for higher education and our students. These are transformative years in their lives and we get to be a part of setting them on a course for future success. I want to do all I can to ensure cost isn’t a barrier to a great education and I want to ensure cost isn’t a barrier for the School of Pharmacy to have the very best faculty and programs. I love the grit I have seen from VCU students. They are often nontraditional, hard-working, self-made type people and I aim to be just as gritty in working to ensure they have the resources they need to receive a great education!
What should people know about your background and what brought you here?
CORREA: I am a Midwesterner, but married a Richmond woman in 2010. We moved here to be closer to family when we decided we wanted to start a family of our own. We have a 2-year-old daughter, Madison, and an 11-year-old puggle named Rex. I got to know a lot of pharmaceutical companies through my work as CEO of The Brandon Marshall Foundation (now called Project 375) where we worked toward promoting positive mental health and de-stigmatizing mental illness. In my spare time (which is confined to my daughter’s sleeping hours) I enjoy exercising, television/film (specifically documentaries), and sports.
Tell us something people might not know about you on the first meeting.
CORREA: I have a robust catalog of dad jokes!
Louie Correa
Title: Senior Director of Development
Preferred Name: Louie
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Favorite Sport/team/hobby: VCU Rams basketball!
Family members: Erin (owns her own executive coaching practice), Madison (2), Rex (dog, 11)
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