In September, Cornell Law School welcomed Kevin Sackett as the new associate dean for Alumni Affairs and Development. Sackett, a former key player in fundraising for Big Red Athletics, returns to Cornell after a successful tenure in fundraising and alumni engagement at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).

“I’m thrilled to join a professional school with such a long-standing tradition of excellence,” said Sackett. “The opportunity to collaborate with seasoned professionals in both the Law School and Alumni Affairs and Development is exciting, and I look forward to engaging with our extensive Cornell Law School alumni network.”

Before joining Cornell Law, Sackett served as the senior director of advancement at RIT, where he led fundraising efforts for several colleges, including the Kate Gleason College of Engineering and the Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences. His leadership played a pivotal role in advancing key institutional priorities and securing critical funding for academic initiatives.

“One thing that excited me about this role is that Jens [Ohlin, the Allan R. Tessler Dean at Cornell Law School] is an ambitious dean who is generous with his time in AA&D efforts,” said Sackett. “My team and I look forward to traveling the country and the world with him, meeting with alumni in their cities, and engaging with them as much as possible.”

Sackett takes the helm during a critical phase of Cornell Law School’s “Do the Greatest Good” campaign, which aims to raise support for key priorities, including fellowships, student scholarships and clinical programs. The campaign, which has already secured $128.6 million in new gifts and commitments, will continue under Sackett’s leadership, with a strong focus on expanding support for attracting and retaining world class faculty, providing students opportunities and expanding the Law School’s clinical offerings—a major philanthropic priority.

“With twenty months left to go in our To Do the Greatest Good capital campaign, Kevin takes the helm at a crucial moment for the Law School as we continue to strengthen our ties with alumni and broaden the impact of our development efforts,” said Dean Ohlin.

Sackett said he was drawn to Cornell Law School for, “its unparalleled focus on experiential learning, particularly through its highly regarded clinical programs. These programs not only cultivate exceptional legal advocates but also empower students and alumni to make a lasting impact on individuals, communities, and society at large.” He adds, “The dedication of Cornell Law graduates to driving meaningful change through their work is something that truly resonates with me.”

Looking ahead, Sackett and his team are gearing up for significant alumni events this year both in Ithaca and around the country. “These events are crucial opportunities to celebrate our alumni, strengthen connections, and build momentum for our future efforts,” said Sackett.

Sackett, who previously lived in Lansing, New York, holds an M.S. in finance from the Saunders College of Business at RIT and a B.S. degree from SUNY Cortland. He and his family are excited to return to the Ithaca area. “My family and I loved the Cornell and Ithaca community when we lived here previously and look forward to enjoying some Friday nights cheering on the Big Red in Lynah Rink and Saturday mornings at the Farmer’s Market or relaxing in Myers Park,” Sackett shared.