Noah D Drezner

Noah D Drezner is a Professor of Higher Education and Vice Dean of Academic Success and Strategy at Teachers College, Columbia University. He also serves as Principal Investigator of The Tzedakah Lab and Program Director for Higher and Postsecondary Education. His expertise spans philanthropy, LGBTQ+ issues in education, leadership in nonprofits, and race/ethnicity dynamics in higher education.

Dr. Drezner holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Pennsylvania, an M.S.Ed. in Higher Education Management from the same institution, and a B.S. in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the University of Rochester. He has additional certificates in higher education management, university teaching, professional writing, and nonprofit leadership.

His research focuses on identity-based philanthropy, alumni engagement, and institutional advancement strategies. Key areas include LGBTQ+ donor behavior, minority-serving institutions' fundraising practices, and the intersection of race/gender with nonprofit leadership. He has authored/co-authored over 30 books and journal articles, including seminal works on HBCU endowment management, queer alumni giving, and identity-based fundraising frameworks.

Notable contributions include pioneering the concept of 'philanthropic mirroring' and developing culturally inclusive approaches to alumni relations. His work emphasizes the role of sense of belonging in driving institutional loyalty and giving behaviors, particularly among marginalized communities.

Dr. Drezner leads The Tzedakah Lab, which explores Jewish philanthropy and social justice in education. He advises on strategic initiatives related to academic success, institutional strategy, and equity-driven advancement practices. Current projects include global comparative studies on educational giving patterns and DEIJ implementation in philanthropy.