Velva Dawson (B.S. ’96)

Nominated Position: Vice President for Finance
Nominated by: Self
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Science | Year Awarded: 1996
Current HUAA Role: HUAA Fundraising Chair

Velva Dawson’s enduring commitment to Howard University is defined by strategic fundraising, disciplined stewardship, and impactful alumni leadership. As Fundraising Chair for the Howard University Alumni Association (HUAA), she leads coordinated alumni giving initiatives across regions, strengthening philanthropic engagement and financial accountability. Under her leadership, alumni fundraising generated more than $500,000 to support scholarships and university operations, reinforcing HUAA’s long-term sustainability and mission.

Velva’s leadership HUAA roles include President, Vice President, and Treasurer of the New Jersey Alumni Club, National Region I Representative, and President Appointed Executive Committee Lead. Her governance experience and financial oversight have enhanced budget transparency, donor reporting, and cross-regional collaboration. As Co-Chair of the HUAC of NJ/NY Golf Fundraising Scholarship Committee, she helped raise nearly $100,000 in scholarship funding for newly accepted students, ensuring responsible management and allocation of proceeds.

A Department of Alumni Relations 2023 Crystal Bison Award recipient, Velva has partnered closely with university leadership to expand alumni participation and philanthropic impact. She collaborated with Annual Giving on Giving Tuesday campaigns that increased donor engagement, executed the Brenda Lawson Brown Scholarship Campaign to advance merit-based support, and helped launch the Inaugural HUAA Alumni Soirée, now a signature recognition event. She also coordinated four annual HUAC CNJ & GNYC Golf Scholarship Fundraisers, maintaining strong fiscal stewardship and multi-club alignment.

Professionally, Velva brings over twenty years of corporate and nonprofit financial leadership experience. At Johnson & Johnson, she supports global charitable giving governance and grant administration systems, and she previously served as Chief Operations Officer of the Central Jersey Family Health Consortium. She also holds a Master of Public Administration from Seton Hall University. Velva’s career reflects a consistent commitment to accountability, transparency, and mission-driven impact.