Development & Alumni Relations Staff

Chris Mueller | Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations
 

A native Texan, Chris earned a bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and an MBA at the University of South Alabama. With more than 15 years of combined experience as the vice president/chief advancement officer at three other universities, Chris leads TLU’s fundraising and alumni relations. He and his wife, Lynnea, live in Seguin and have two grown children.

Fonda Mathis | Associate Vice President for Development Services
 

Fonda earned her bachelor’s degree at Southwest Texas State University. She started her career in the information technology field supporting software platforms for a variety of business applications. Eventually moving to a position in the development office, as Associate Vice President for Development Services, where she oversees database management, advancement reporting, gift recording, data integrity, data security and research. Fonda enjoys volunteering and community service.

Barbette Wills | Gift Coordinator

Barbette has served as the Gift Processor/Data Coordinator for Development and Alumni Relations since 2007. She and her husband, Casey, have five children and eight grandchildren, and are known as Gigi and Papa. Their family farm is home to cattle, goats, chickens, nine dogs, and one cat. TLU has been a great blessing to the Wills family.

Jennifer Coulter | Development Services Coordinator

Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and English with a minor in Psychology from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. She has extensive experience working in Federal, State, and City level governments, as well as non-profit and private corporations. In her positions, she handled fundraising, grants, events, recruiting, training and supervising volunteers. Jennifer worked with adjudicated youth and helped many students get their high school diplomas or GED and later assisted them transitioning to college and trade schools. She strongly believes that education will change an individual’s life and has been an advocate for many first-generation students from various ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. As the development services coordinator, she oversees maintaining gift entry, data entry, updating donations and relations information. Jennifer and her husband Jim are the proud parents of their daughter, Emily, who graduated from Texas Lutheran University.

Kim Gannon | Assistant Vice President for Philanthropy

With over 30 years of experience in higher education development and alumni relations, Kim leads the team of gift officers at TLU. A first-generation college graduate, she earned her bachelor’s degree in mass communications and a minor in English at Washburn University. She has a background in fundraising, volunteer management, event planning, and program management. Kim joined the team at TLU in June of 2020. Prior to her current role, she worked for Texas State University. Kim collaborates with alumni and friends to build connections and increase engagement with TLU. She and her husband, Gary, live in New Braunfels.

Jason Derscheid | Director of Leadership Gifts

Jason is a graduate of Tulane University where he completed a self-designed major titled Music Industry Studies. After Hurricane Katrina, he returned to New Orleans and shortly thereafter began his nonprofit career and attended his first NFL game for the reopening of the Superdome making him a Saints fan forever, WHO DAT! He is an avid outdoorsman whose favorite places include Big Bend and the Boundary Waters.

Robert Burns | Associate Director of Development

Robert holds a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Social Studies Education from Miami University. He began his career as an eighth-grade history teacher and a baseball coach. Later, he transitioned into non-profit development, gaining experience with a wildlife rescue and a children’s mental health hospital. Currently, he is the Associate Director of Development, where he focuses on engaging with alumni and prospective donors. Robert is married to Brittany, and they have a 2-year-old daughter, Claire, who adores her two puppy siblings.

Jereme Matthews '98 | Assistant Vice President for Giving & Alumni Relations

Jereme Matthews serves as the Assistant Vice President for Giving & Alumni Relations, where he oversees Alumni Relations, Annual Giving, and Development Communications. A proud TLU alumnus from the Class of 1998, Jereme earned his bachelor's degree in mathematics and business administration.

Before transitioning to higher education, Jereme dedicated 23 years to secondary education as a mathematics teacher, coach, assistant principal, and associate principal. Throughout his career, he maintained a close connection to TLU, serving on the Alumni Board and championing the university's mission.

Jereme is married to Courtney Erickson Matthews, a fellow Bulldog and 1999 graduate. Together, they share a deep commitment to supporting the TLU community and its enduring legacy.

Gaby Alvarado | Director of Alumni Relations

Gaby received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts and Master of Arts in Administration degree from the University of the Incarnate Word. Prior to joining TLU, she served as the Associate Director of UIW’s Department of Alumni & Parent Relations, focusing on communications, activities, and networks for the alumni and parent associations. In addition to her work in higher education, she has broad experience in event planning, volunteer organization, and non-profit management, having worked at Silver & Black Give Back, the non-profit partner of Spurs Sports & Entertainment, and the San Antonio Zoological Society. In her current role at TLU, Gaby will lead the alumni association in reconnecting graduates to Texas Lutheran and providing resources and engagement opportunities throughout the year for our Bulldogs.

Michael Mancha | Director of Annual Giving

Michael serves as the Director of Annual Giving. His is an alum of Texas State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Comm as well as a seminary degree (BA in Pastoral & Leadership Studies) from Artios Christian College. Prior to TLU, he has worked for more a decade in marketing design and branding and previously worked in non-profit fundraising with City Year San Antonio.

Michael is a Texas native who grew up in West Texas and moved to San Antonio in 2006, He lives in Cibolo with this wife, Batina, and his three kids, Jude, Sofia, and Amelia. He has traveled to and lived in multiple states in the US. A passion for serving people and his community has led Michael on a unique path. Along with being a husband and father, Michael is the lead pastor of New Hope United Church in San Antonio. He enjoys cooking, coffee, and is a die-hard fan of the Boston Red Sox, San Antonio Spurs, and University of Oregon football.

Alissa Sommers '20 | Associate Director of Alumni Relations
 

Alissa is a proud Texas Lutheran University alumna, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. She previously served TLU in the Admissions department. Alissa and her husband, Chris '02, have three boys. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and cheering her kids on at their sporting events.