Vice President for University Advancement

California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) has appointed Michael LaPlante as vice president for university advancement, effective June 1, 2025. LaPlante brings over 25 years of experience in higher education development and campaign leadership, including prior experience in the CSU system. Reporting directly to President Vanya Quiñones and serving as a key member of her senior cabinet, LaPlante will be responsible for strategically leading and growing the university’s advancement efforts and galvanizing philanthropic support to advance bold institutional goals in support of the university’s second-ever comprehensive campaign.

LaPlante will join CSUMB from Western Colorado University (WCU), where he is currently the vice president of advancement and executive director of the WCU Foundation. LaPlante has been instrumental in the planning, execution, and success of WCU’s Elevate Western campaign, which has surpassed its initial $80 million goal. Under LaPlante’s campaign leadership, WCU has doubled its annual contributions and its endowment and received three of the four largest gifts in WCU’s history. 

Before joining WCU, LaPlante spent 15 years at Colorado State University in progressive leadership roles. As associate vice president for advancement, LaPlante oversaw gift planning, regional development, principal gifts, and corporate and foundation relations during CSU’s $1 billion State Your Purpose Campaign. LaPlante’s early career in athletics development began in the California State University system, including roles at San Diego State University (SDSU) and California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). 

LaPlante earned an MBA from Colorado State University and a bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University.

Rachel Ellenport led this search with Christina Garrison and Megan Gorman.