Office of the Vice Chancellor for Advancement

Scott Varady serves as Vice Chancellor for University Advancement and was appointed to that position on April 17,2023. Under his leadership, the university launched the $200 million Land of Opportunity Scholarship campaign. Varady is a University of Arkansas alumnus who served more than 19 years with the University of Arkansas’ Office of the General Counsel, including his role as associate general counsel, prior to becoming the executive director and general counsel of the Razorback Foundation in 2015.

Varady led the Razorback Foundation from 2015 to 2023. Under his leadership, the Razorback Foundation exceeded its capital campaign fundraising goals in raising more than $44 million for the expansion and renovation of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, more than $20 million for the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Baseball Development Center, and more than $7 million for the Frank O’Mara Track and Field Performance Center as well as record-setting annual fund drives.

Prior to joining the university, Varady worked as an associate at Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard PLLC in Little Rock. Prior to joining the Mitchell Firm, Varady worked in Washington, D.C. as an associate with the firm of Swidler & Berlin, Chartered. Varady also served as a staff member for the late Sen. Dale L. Bumpers on the U.S. Senate Small Business Committee and for former Rep. Bill Alexander.

In 1988, Varady received a Master of Science in Foreign Service studying international business development, finance and trade at Georgetown University. Varady received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1993, graduating magna cum laude, and he was inducted into The Order of the Coif and was a member of The Tax Lawyer law journal. A Little Rock native, Varady earned a B.A. with honors in political science from the University of Arkansas in 1985.

Loria Oliver serves as senior director of philanthropic initiatives in the University of Arkansas Division of University Advancement, bringing more than 20 years of experience in fundraising, communications and public relations.

Before joining the university, Oliver served as chief development officer at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, where she previously held several development and donor relations leadership roles. Her career has also included work in alumni relations, annual giving and communications.

An entrepreneur as well as a fundraiser, Oliver founded Oliver Wilson Consulting, a Bentonville-based public relations and fundraising firm, and later developed, patented, marketed and sold The Tot Tote through Turtle Place Brands.

Oliver holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and public relations from Clark Atlanta University. She was recognized by Celebrate Arkansas Magazine as one of its 2021 “Ones to Watch.” She currently serves on the Rogers Public Library Foundation Board and the Arkansas Methodist Foundation Board and is a member of the University of Arkansas Women’s Giving Circle.