Michelle was named Vice President for University Development and Alumni Relations on November 10, 2009.

Despite severe state budget cuts and the harsh recession, Michelle led the university's effort to raise a record $107.5 million for the fiscal year 2008 - 09, an impressive display of support for the University as private giving to education nationally decreased.

She has worked in development for almost 25 years, with most of it spent in the academic health sciences arena. She has been involved with 5 Capital campaigns raising more than $1 billion. After graduating from Hollins College, she began her career in New York at Marymount Manhattan College and then was Director of Special Gifts at Memorial Sloan Cancer Center. She then returned to her native New Orleans where she spent more than 11 years, first as Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations and then as Director of Major Gifts at Tulane University Health Sciences Center.

Michelle was active in various organizations during her years in New York and New Orleans with organizations such as Cancer Care, Fresh Air Fund, Junior League of New York and New Orleans, Children's Hospital, The Children's Museum, Alliance for Good Government and the Historic District Landmarks Commission in New Orleans.

Michelle joined the Development Office at the University of South Carolina as Associate Vice President in December 2004. In this role she oversaw all fundraising for the University. Since she has been at Carolina she has restructured the Development office, implemented new internal systems, and significantly increased giving.

Michelle lives in Columbia, S.C., with her husband, Bill, and two children, Virginia and William, who attend Heathwood Hall Episcopal School.