MIAMI – FIU Athletics has announced the appointment of Matthew Lisiewski as its new Senior Associate AD for Development. Lisiewski brings more than 20 years of high‑level collegiate athletics experience and a proven track record of transformational fundraising success.

In his role with FIU, Lisiewski will oversee all athletics fundraising and donor development, including leading the Panther Club – the primary philanthropic arm of the department.
 
Lisiewski joins the Panthers after serving as Senior Associate AD at the University of North Florida (UNF) in Jacksonville since 2022, where he played a central role in delivering the most successful fundraising campaign in the history of UNF Athletics at more than $8 million in fiscal year 2025. His leadership helped drive unprecedented donor engagement, major facility enhancements and broad-based fundraising success.
 
During Lisiewski's most recent year at UNF, the Ospreys achieved a historic surge in philanthropic support and external revenue generation. The department raised the aforementioned $8,071,921 from 2,893 donors, an 89% increase over the previous fundraising record set in fiscal year 2022. It also marked the third-consecutive year with more than 2,800 donors – a first in department history.
 
"On behalf of the entire FIU Athletics family, I'd like to welcome Matthew to Panther Nation," said FIU Director of Athletics Scott Carr. "Matthew brings an energy and expertise that will elevate our fundraising and donor engagement efforts. His track record of building meaningful relationships and generating transformational support is paramount for our success in today's collegiate landscape. We're excited for the impact he will make as we continue strengthening the future of our student-athletes and the programs they represent."
 
Under Lisiewski's leadership, UNF delivered its most successful Giving Day ever in 2025, generating $856,276 from 1,810 donors, accounting for 40% of all donors and 36% of total dollars raised across the entire university. The department's Giving Day total represented more than a quarter-million increase from 2024 and reflected extraordinary long‑term growth as highlighted by a 1,911% increase in donors and an 18,279% improvement in dollars raised since 2019. Additionally, for the first time, the department achieved 100% staff participation.
 
Lisiewski expressed enthusiasm for joining FIU during a period of significant growth and ambition, stating:
 
"FIU is a university on the rise in one of the most vibrant and influential regions in America, and I'm honored to join this community and excited to help build the resources and partnerships that will propel our student‑athletes and programs to new heights."
 
Additional fundraising and engagement highlights from Lisiewski's tenure at UNF include:
 
• The inaugural JEA Women's Athletics & STEM Scholarship Luncheon, drawing 160 attendees and generating $69,258 in support of women's athletics and STEM-focused student‑athletes.
• A record‑setting Blue & Gray Bash, grossing $147,356.
• The creation of "The Pit", a new premium field‑level seating experience at UNF Baseball's Harmon Stadium.
• The completion of a major seven‑figure renovation of UNF Arena, the facility's first comprehensive upgrade in more than 30 years, including redesigned locker rooms for men's and women's basketball and volleyball, an expanded athletic training room and a new video room.
 
Prior to his time at UNF, Lisiewski worked at Dayton from 2016-22, ultimately rising to Senior Associate Director of Development where he managed more than 200 major gift prospects with a primary focus on the Southeast, including Florida.
 
Before beginning his fundraising career, Lisiewski – a graduate of the University of Florida – was on the basketball staff at Maryland from 2006-11 as a Video Director and then at George Washington from 2011-16 as the Director of Operations.
  
ABOUT FIU ATHLETICS
Pro Bowl wide receiver T.Y. Hilton caught touchdowns here. Olympic gold medalist Tayna Lawrence sprinted here. Major League All Star and World Series champion Mike Lowell swung for the fences here. Here, under the South Florida sun, is where more than 400 student-athletes compete in 17 Division-I sports as proud members of Conference USA and affiliate members of the American Conference in men's soccer and swimming and diving. FIU Athletics has produced nearly 120 All-Americans, 50 NCAA Tournament appearances and record-setting academic performances at a Top 50 preeminent public research university with more than 55,000 students.
 
SUPPORT FIU ATHLETICS
Financial support has never been more imperative in intercollegiate athletics than it is now. Please enhance our student-athlete experience by giving them the resources needed to succeed by purchasing tickets and becoming a Panther Club member.
 
FOLLOW US
Get all the latest news, statistics and updates on FIU Athletics by visiting FIUSports.com, and engage with the Panthers on social media at X/Twitter (@FIUAthletics), Instagram (@FIUAthletics) and Facebook (@FIUAthletics).