Meet the SEAS Development & Alumni Relations Staff

Mr. Jim Howard
Assistant Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations
210 Tompkins Hall
E-mail: jphoward@gwu.edu
Tel: 202-994-4121

Jim Howard is the assistant vice president for development and alumni relations at SEAS. As the head of the SEAS Office of Development and Alumni relations, Jim works very closely with Dean David Dolling to lead the school's efforts to expand investments in its academic and research programs, in both established and newly developed areas of expertise. In this effort, Jim works with the SEAS National Advisory Council, the GW administration, and with many individual partners.

Jim has 13 years of experience in education fund-raising and helped lead two capital campaigns prior to joining SEAS. He previously worked for Oberlin College, where he served as director of principal gifts and managed a diverse portfolio of donors for gifts of $1 million or more in support of endowment, capital projects, and other strategic initiatives. His achievements include cultivating philanthropic support to build a $65 million science center and a $22 million jazz facility at the college. Prior to this, Jim worked in development at Cardigan Mountain School in New Hampshire. He holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in business from the University of New Hampshire.

Ms. Jo Boukhira
Associate Director of Development and Alumni Relations, SEAS
210 Tompkins Hall
E-mail: boukhira@gwu.edu
Tel: 202-994-6059

As an associate director of development and alumni relations for SEAS, Jo Boukhira works to reach out to our alumni. She helps those who are interested in reconnecting to the school to do so and to become a part of its successes. Jo very much enjoys meeting SEAS alumni and learning about the impact that SEAS has made on their lives.

Prior to joining SEAS, Jo worked at George Mason University, where she served as associate director of alumni relations and development for the Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering. She also was an embassy liaison at the Office of Science and Technology at the French Embassy in Washington, DC, and at the United States Embassy in Morocco, where she earlier served as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Jo is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University.

Ms. Rene Datcher
Executive Assistant
210 Tompkins Hall
E-mail: seas@gwu.edu
Tel: 202-994-8474

Rene Datcher is an executive assistant for the SEAS Office of Development and Alumni Relations. As an administrative professional, Rene provides administrative assistance to the entire staff of the SEAS Office of Development and Alumni Relations. Rene is a highly motivated administrative professional with more than 20 years of office experience; an extensive background with client databases, spreadsheets, and various software packages; and excellent interpersonal and organizational skills. She also has a passion for customer service and applies this skill in every aspect of her work.

Rene is a Washingtonian and enjoys all the splendor and wonder of residing in a city that is rich with culture and excitement, and where there is never a dull moment.