Maggie Wave serves as the Assistant Dean for Advancement in the College of ACES. In this role, she leads major gift strategy, alumni engagement, and development initiatives to advance the College’s mission and impact, which includes Extension and 4-H.

Prior to joining ACES, she was Chief Development Officer at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, where she successfully led efforts that consistently surpassed an $8M annual fundraising goal. She has experience building major and principal gift pipelines, managing high-performing teams, and developing strategic partnerships.

A two-time Illinois alum, Maggie holds a Master of Business Administration from the Gies College of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Political Science from the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. She also held advancement roles at the University of Missouri-Columbia and Washington University in St. Louis, securing more than $15 million in gifts and establishing several endowed funds, including for library preservation and research at the University of Illinois Libraries.

Earlier in her career, Maggie’s work with Teach for America reflects her commitment to educational access and community impact — values she brings to her work with alumni, donors and friends every day.

Maggie lives in Champaign with her husband and their two young children, Molly and Maxine.