Aysa Besova Cooley joins MSU Foundation
The Mississippi State University Foundation recently welcomed Asya Besova Cooley as assistant director of annual giving.
Cooley, who began her duties June 22, will support efforts to secure annual gifts for the land-grant institution. She works with Barbie Hampel, the annual giving director.
"Asya brings professional experience to Mississippi State University from many outlets and we anticipate her skills will prove extremely beneficial in direct marketing and telefunding efforts for our annual giving program," said Jack McCarty, executive director of development.
A native of southwestern Russia, Cooley holds a bachelor of arts in communications from Alcorn State University and a master of mass communications from Louisiana State University.
Most recently, she was a research associate at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and co-owner and a social media consultant for the HH Agency in Tuscaloosa. Her previous experience also includes a two-year stint with the New York Times Regional Media Group.
As assistant director of annual giving, Cooley oversees the Bulldog Calling Center that employs some 30 MSU students to make telephone solicitations. Callers also update database records of alumni and friends.
Mississippi State University currently has nearly 121,000 living alumni.
In the 2010 fiscal year, MSU experienced a sizeable increase of the percentage of contributing alumni, and McCarty said he anticipates the rate will hold steady at the close of FY 11.
Allison Matthews | University Relations
