Meet the Staff
Advancement Team
Mitch Blonde
Advancement, President’s Cabinet
Degrees & Certificates
M.A., Organizational Leadership, Siena Heights University
B.A., Communication: Argumentation & Advocacy, Adrian College
Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE)
Mitchell P. Blonde, a certified fund raising executive (CFRE), joined the Tiffin University President’s Cabinet in 2017. Prior to TU, he served 10 years as vice president of institutional advancement for Siena Heights University, a Catholic liberal arts institution located in Adrian, Mich. He has over two decades of experience in higher education and has spent the majority of that time in leadership positions.
A native of Michigan, Blonde earned degrees from Adrian College and Siena Heights University. His development career began at Adrian College while serving as director of annual giving and later transitioned to major gift officer at Bowling Green State University. He was named executive director of the Jackson Community College Foundation in 2005 and has taught at Central Michigan University, Baker College of Port Huron, Adrian College and Siena Heights University.
Blonde has served on numerous non-profit boards and committees. Currently, he serves on the board of the Tiffin–Seneca Public Library and is a Trustee for the Four County Community Foundation.
He enjoys golfing, hunting, fishing and travelling in his free time. He and his wife, Dawn, have two children.
Michael Herdlick
Advancement
Degrees & Certificates
B.A., Malone College
M.S., New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Mike has been with TU since 2001 serving in a number of capacities including Adjunct Professor, Instructor of Mathematics, Director of Institutional Research, Dean of Students and now in his current roles. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Liberal Arts from Malone University in Canton, Ohio, and his Master of Science in Mathematics from New Mexico Tech in Socorro, New Mexico. He also holds Graduate Certificates in Institutional Research from Florida State University and in Student Affairs/Higher Education Administration from Colorado State University.
The Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement is responsible for soliciting annual, major and planned gifts from alumni and friends of Tiffin University. This includes identifying, cultivating and managing a large group of supporters. The AVP works collaboratively with volunteers, colleagues and other University representatives to solicit donors for university-wide projects. In addition, the AVP frequently staffs university events, both on campus and off campus, and works closely with university leadership, advisory groups, boards, and councils.
Jeremy Croy
Advancement
Degrees & Certificates
BBA In Sports Management, Ohio Northern University
MBA in Sports Management, Springfield College
Croy served as the Head Track and Field/Cross Country Coach at TU from 2000-22. He led the Dragons to 20 consecutive winning seasons. Through the 2021 spring season, the men have posted a 1347-179 record (.882) and the women 859-338 (.717) during that same time. The Dragons also have had over 279 All-Americans (Academic and Athletic) and shattered every school record on the books.
Coach Croy was named 2021 GMAC Men’s Outdoor Coach of the Year, just one of many coaching honors accumulated over his career. He was also named 2020 USTFCCCA Midwest Region Indoor Men’s Coach of the Year along with GMAC Indoor Coach of the Year. The region honor marks the fifth time in the last six years that he has been named the Midwest Region Men’s Coach of the Year. In addition, Coach Croy was named USTFCCCA National Coach of the Year and GLIAC Coach of the Year for the 2017 indoor season. In 2016, Coach Croy was named GLIAC Coach of the Year and National Coach of the year as his 2016 men’s indoor track and field team won Tiffin’s first NCAA Division II National Championship.
Croy is an Ohio Northern University graduate with a degree in Sports Management. He also was a four-year letter winner in track and cross-country, earning MVP honors for the cross-country squad. Croy obtained his Master’s degree in Sports Management from Springfield College (MA). Croy, his wife (Meladie), daughter (Corinne) and son (William) reside in Tiffin.
Audrey Heslet
Advancement
Mikki King
Advancement
Mikki King has served as the Director of Annual Giving at Tiffin University since April 2019. Her primary roles include the Campus Family Campaign, Annual Giving, Database Administration, Tiffin Society, and Dragon Family Council. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Heidelberg University, Master of Science in Education from Walden University, and her MBA from Tiffin University. Mikki is a 2016 Leadership Seneca County graduate. Mikki serves on a number of committees for the University including Strategic Advisory Committee, Equity, Access, & Opportunity CCU Diversity & Inclusion Council, TUSA, and Moving The Needle Team Member. She also teaches Dragon Education Core (DEC) and helps with Kiwanis Circle K on campus.
Mikki has served on several non-profit boards and committees. She has been a member of the Tiffin Kiwanis Club since 2006. Currently, she serves on the Kiwanis Foundation Board, The Salvation Army Advisory Board, Northwest Career Ready, Tiffin-Seneca Heritage Festival Board of Trustees, Women In Action, Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, and is a United Way Campaign Volunteer. In the past, she has been involved with Leadership Seneca County Board Member, Tiffin Elementary PTO, Cub Scout Leader, Community Hospice Care Volunteer, American Cancer Society Advisory Board, Tiffin Relay for Life, and Y-Wives.
She enjoys reading, hockey, and traveling in her free time. She and her husband, Chris, have one child.
Vickie Wilkins (’09/’11)
Advancement
Degrees & Certificates
Bachelor’s Degree, Tiffin University
Master’s Degree, Tiffin University
Vickie Wilkins has served as the Director of Alumni Relations at Tiffin University since June of 2013. Her primary role is communicating and engaging with alumni to encourage greater alumni connections, support and a sense of community. She works closely with alumni volunteers and officially represents the University and Alumni Office at on-campus and off-campus events. Some responsibilities include: overseeing and coordinating the development and publication of written and electronic material for alumni; establishing and implementing short and long range organizational objectives; planning and developing strategies and programs for generating revenues and resources for alumni; developing, communicating and managing the implementation of alumni programs and services; managing social media for the alumni and friends pages; overseeing and producing material for the alumni e-newsletter and serving the advisor of the Tiffin University Alumni Association Board.
Wilkins serves on a number of committees for the University including: Career Services and Internship Committee, Strategic Planning/Theme Committee and Digital Communication Committee. She was also a member of the most recent Higher Learning Commission (HLC) campus reaccreditation team. She has taught in the First Year Seminar (FYS)/Dragon Education Core (DEC) programs since 2012.
Wilkins has served on numerous non-profit boards and committees. Currently, she serves on the Downtown Development Board for the Tiffin Main Street Program and the Board of Directors for Independent College Advancement Associates (ICAA).
She enjoys sports, working out, spending time with family and traveling in her free time. She and her husband, Joe, have two children.
Advancement
Contact Us
We’re here for you!
The Office of Institutional Advancement and Public Affairs
Mitch Blonde
Vice President for Institutional Advancement & Public Affairs / Chief Advancement Officer
419.448.3584
blondemp@hwfj-art.com