Profile for

Devin Girod

Vice President for Philanthropy and Engagement

Since returning to East Texas A&M University in 2022, Devin Girod has served as vice president for philanthropy and engagement and executive director of the East Texas A&M University Foundation, leading the university's philanthropic and alumni engagement efforts and working with university leadership, donors and partners to advance institutional priorities. During his tenure, East Texas A&M and its donors have achieved the three highest fundraising years in university history, expanded the university's donor base and alumni engagement, and secured historic gifts supporting students, programs and facilities.

Girod returned to East Texas A&M from the Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national nonprofit organization, where he served as Southeast director of philanthropy. He joined TPL in 2017 as Texas director of philanthropy before moving to Atlanta to lead philanthropic efforts across the Southeast. During his tenure, he raised more than $35 million for TPL and its partners, expanded donor engagement across Texas, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida, led the organization's first philanthropic campaign in Texas, and helped secure a $9 million grant and other lead investments supporting TPL's work in Georgia.

Previously, Girod served as senior director of development at East Texas A&M and director of Alumni Affairs at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Across his career, his work has encompassed philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, alumni engagement, strategic partnerships and organizational development. A Louisiana native, Girod earned both his master's degree in communications, summa cum laude, and bachelor's degree in mass communications from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He and his wife, Angelica, live in Rockwall, Texas. Outside of work, he enjoys golf, drumming, hiking, gardening and listening to his vinyl record collection.

A Conversation with Devin Girod

How do you help students?

I am fortunate to connect donors' passions with students' needs and see the impact of those partnerships firsthand. It is rewarding to hear how philanthropy creates opportunities for students while also seeing the joy donors experience in knowing their investments can have a lasting ripple effect in the lives of others.

What would you tell a student who is thinking about attending East Texas A&M?

If you are serious about your future, East Texas A&M is a place where you can find opportunity, community and real-world experiences to help achieve your goals. Students benefit from personal support from faculty, staff, peers and alumni, along with hands-on learning that builds confidence and prepares them to succeed. The culture is familial, and people genuinely care about students' success today and in the future. I encourage prospective students to visit, experience that community and consider becoming part of the Lion family.

Why did you choose your career/what draws you to your discipline?

Philanthropy is ultimately about joy – the joy of giving and the opportunity to improve lives and strengthen communities. I find purpose in connecting people with opportunities to make a difference and working alongside alumni, donors, students, faculty, staff and colleagues to turn shared aspirations into meaningful outcomes. I am also drawn to the breadth of nonprofit leadership. The work requires you to continually develop across strategy, communications, finance, governance, relationship-building and organizational leadership. Those skills become most meaningful when they are put to work creating opportunities for others.

What else would you like to share about yourself or your East Texas A&M experience?

The people make a place, and through collaboration, East Texas A&M continues to reach new milestones of distinction. We are fortunate to have a community of people who genuinely care about one another and about the success of our students. That sense of community was a primary reason I chose to return to the Lion family, and it continues to make this work meaningful.

Educational Background

• M.A., Communications (Summa Cum Laude), University of Louisiana at Monroe
• B.A., Mass Communications, University of Louisiana at Monroe

Executive and Professional Development

• Nonprofit Management, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Indiana University
• Advancement Resources, professional development programs (three trainings)

Committees and Service

• Executive Team, East Texas A&M University, 2022 – Current
• Chair, Gift Acceptance Committee, East Texas A&M University, 2022 – Current
• Faculty/Staff Advisor, Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Theta Xi Chapter, 2022 – Current
• Chair, Visual Arts Committee, East Texas A&M University, 2023 – Current

Honors and Recognition

• Conservation Trailblazer, Trust for Public Land, 2021
• Philanthropy Action Hero, Trust for Public Land, 2020

Selected Presentations and Professional Engagement

• Guest Presenter, Investing In Us: Grant Development, East Texas A&M University, 2025 – 2026
• Host and Presenter, Philanthropy Leadership Retreat, Trust for Public Land, 2022
• Moderator, National Leadership Conference, Trust for Public Land, 2018
• Co-Presenter, Executive Retreat, Trust for Public Land, 2018