Cynthia L. Felsten has been appointed assistant director of development at Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC).

Felsten, who began her work at the university on January 22, is responsible for a comprehensive annual giving program to increase the number of annual gifts from alumni, friends, faculty and staff, grants, and students through direct mail, telefund, e-solicitations, and personal visits. As part of this effort, she will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major gift prospects.

In addition, Felsten will oversee alumni relations at IUPUC. She is charged with planning, directing, and coordinating the activities of the campus Alumni Association, which is a constituent society of the Indiana University Alumni Association. She will also play an active role in working with the Student Alumni Association on the Columbus campus.

Felsten joins the ranks of the professional staff at IUPUC after working as a resource development coordinator for Columbus Parks & Recreation Department, where she planned, coordinated, implemented and managed all fundraising initiatives. While there, Felsten more than tripled funding and sponsorships on events and programs and established an annual campaign. In addition, she worked with grants, established a volunteer program, and created numerous recognition programs.

Felsten is an alumna of IUPUC, a lifetime member of the IU Alumni Association, and was awarded the 2011 IUPUC Distinguished Alumnus Award. She has served as a legislative assistant for five state senators, currently is serving as secretary and legislative chair for the Indiana Commission for Women, and is one of two delegates representing Indiana for Vision 2020. A six-year member of the Columbus Human Rights Commission, she is also a state-registered mediator.

Along with her husband, Gary, Felsten has lived in Columbus for 18 years, raising a family of two children and three dogs.