the new school Appoints jonah nigh senior vice president for development and alumni engagement

July 13, 2021, New York - The New School today announced the appointment of Jonah Nigh, currently Chief Development Officer for the Jewish Museum in New York City, as Senior Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement. He will assume the role on September 1.

Nigh will lead The New School’s strategic fundraising, institutional advancement, alumni engagement, corporate and foundation relations, and related areas. Reporting to Dr. Dwight A. McBride, President of The New School, Nigh will be responsible for creating a multi-year development plan that will broaden the university’s outreach efforts and generate significant resources to fund strategic priorities. 

“Jonah brings to The New School an impressive track record of fundraising for academic and cultural institutions,” said President McBride. “He is deeply engaged in the civic life of New York and has great enthusiasm for The New School’s distinctive educational mission. I look forward to his partnership as we build even greater support for the research, creative practice, and teaching and learning of New School students and scholars. The vision and dynamism he brings to his work will serve us well in this next phase of our future.”

An accomplished fundraising leader with 16 years of experience, Nigh joins The New School from the Jewish Museum, where he served as the Director of Major Gifts, Senior Director of Individual Giving, and Acting Deputy Director of Development before being appointed Chief Development Officer in February 2020. In this role, he oversaw the planning, management, strategy, and execution of the museum’s fundraising efforts during a time of unprecedented challenges. Nigh previously was the Major Gifts Officer for Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism and was the Assistant Director of Development for Opera America. Prior development roles include positions at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Columbia University’s School of the Arts, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. 

Nigh has served as a panelist for the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and serves regularly as a guest speaker on the topic of fundraising via podcasts, university arts administration programs, and other outlets geared to the field of development. A classically trained singer, he earned his undergraduate degree at Lawrence University and a Master of Music degree from the New England Conservatory. His performance credits include roles at the Aspen Music Festival, Boston Lyric Opera, Dorian Opera Theatre, Opera Boston, as well as in national commercials and films. He is a longtime New York City resident and serves on the executive and economic development committees of Bronx Community Board Four.

“I am honored and excited to be joining President McBride and his leadership team at such an important time for The New School,” said Nigh. “Together, we will build on the many successes to date and strengthen philanthropic support for the university's strategic priorities.”