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After dedicating more than 20 years of service to Auburn University’s College of Human Sciences, Executive Director of the Cary Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies & Women's Philanthropy Board Sidney James will leave a university where she made a lasting impact — specifically in advancing the College of Human Sciences philanthropic footprint year after year.
After serving as the Executive Director of the Cary Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies & Women's Philanthropy Board in the College of Human Sciences since 2004, Sidney James will retire from Auburn University on Jan. 1, 2025.
“You could say I’ve loved it all,” said James. “The things I’ve really enjoyed the most are obviously working with my colleagues and with donors and really working with the students. I’ve enjoyed being in a very innovative college working alongside Dean Henton for a very long time and then having the privilege to work with Dean Hubbard and her leadership team in the college.”
Before joining the College of Human Sciences, James first began at Auburn in 1994 when she was named the first director of development for Auburn University’s College of Liberal Arts.
After two and a half years, her father began battling a terminal illness that compelled James to leave Auburn to take the time to be with family and care for her father during his illness. Following seven years in corporate America, James returned to Auburn University in the fall of 2004 to serve in her current position in the College of Human Sciences.
During James’ leadership, the Cary Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies, an academic center was formed in 2011. In the years since opening, the center has continued to expand its programming, youth programs and reached exciting milestones year after year.
“Just watching the growth over the last two decades of the Cary Center and the impact that we’ve been able to make throughout the college and throughout the state of Alabama has been incredibly rewarding,” said James. “The growth at the Cary Center has been really exciting in the college and every year has been punctuated by yet another big success. And I mean that sincerely that for the last 20 years I've watched this college grow in enrollment, grow in capacity to deliver broad spectrum programming, grow in the way we enhance and contribute to the quality of life worldwide. There hasn’t been a single year that hasn’t been enhanced or punctuated by growth.”
One of those major accomplishments includes the Women’s Philanthropy Board (WPB) hitting the $1 million mark in money given back to the College of Human Sciences. A milestone that coincided with WPB’s 20th anniversary celebration in 2022.
During those 20 years, WPB held more than 157 programs and featured more than 250 speakers in real and virtual formats. WPB provides yearly educational programs to inspire and enable attendees regarding financial responsibility and philanthropic engagement.
“We’ve been able to impact a lot of people and a lot of programs,” said James following the milestone accomplishment back in 2022. “This collective group of philanthropists was determined to make an impact in the College of Human Sciences, and they have achieved a remarkable accomplishment.”
In addition to the tremendous growth that included the expansion of community and collegiate programs, multiple renowned speakers and more, the Cary Center and James’ leadership made a positive impact on Auburn students as well.
One of those students positively impacted by James was Natalie Palmquist, a 2019 civil engineering alumna who also received a minor in philanthropy and nonprofit studies.
“Sidney James is a fiery go-getter who never passes up on a good idea when she sees one. She supports students in self-driven efforts toward success and is ready to be a mentor and support any initiative that will have a positive impact."
James was Palmquist’s direct supervisor when she worked as a teaching assistant for James’ gender, wealth and philanthropy course and over the years Palmquist viewed her as a mentor — especially when it came to her applying for a Rhodes Scholarship.
“Sidney James is a fiery go-getter who never passes up on a good idea when she sees one,” said Palmquist. “She supports students in self-driven efforts toward success and is ready to be a mentor and support any initiative that will have a positive impact. Her ultimate desire is to see students mature into caring individuals who will be self-sufficient enough to then give back to their communities. This is what drove all of her efforts in the College of Human Sciences and at the Cary Center. Her impact is clear from the growth of both the Cary Center and the Philanthropy and Nonprofit academic program since the start of her work at the university. Personally, Sidney has been a rock-solid support for me through my last two years of college and into my early career. She was one of my references for my Rhodes Application in 2018, and her outstanding letter gave me the chance to interview as a finalist for the prestigious scholarship. I could never have done it without the unwavering support and encouragement of professors like Sidney. She believed in me and encouraged me to reach for my highest goals in education and beyond.”
"Sidney James Nakhjavan has been a dedicated leadership team member in the College of Human Sciences,” said College of Human Sciences Dean Susan Hubbard. “Her unwavering commitment to advancing the mission of the Cary Center and enhancing the quality of life for countless individuals has left an indelible mark on our community. As she embarks on this well-deserved retirement, we wish her nothing but the best in the exciting new chapter ahead.”
James is set for retirement on Jan. 1, 2025, and identified a number of individuals who had a profound impact or positive influence on her over the years. Between all of them, James said the one thing in common is everyone’s unending enthusiasm for the work they do at the College of Human Sciences.
“This college is blessed with an abundance of amazing colleagues,” said James. “We are blessed with colleagues who work hard and really share in the vision and mission of this college and they take a lot of pride in being productive. I cherish my great colleagues and some great lifelong friends I’ve made along the way. I also want to give gratitude to my family, Behzad and Ari Nakhjavan, my husband and son and my mom, Dora James, who was a founding member of WPB.”
For more information on the Cary Center, click below
Cary Center
