Advancing Education with Passion and Dedication
HUNTSVILLE, TX — Kevin Fralicks, the Associate Vice President for University Development at Sam Houston State University (SHSU), brings over two decades of experience to his role, driving the university’s growth and fostering community involvement. Fralicks shared his journey and insights during a recent interview on “Good Morning Huntsville.”
Originally from Duncanville, Texas, Fralicks recounted his path from a city government role in Parks and Recreation to higher education development. “I spent about 17 years of my life in city government, running municipal parks and recreation departments mostly in the Metroplex,” he said. His career took a significant turn when he joined the University of North Texas (UNT), where he discovered his passion for university development.
Fralicks later worked at top institutions like the University of Washington and the University of South Alabama before returning to his alma mater, UNT, and eventually joining SHSU. Reflecting on his diverse experiences, he emphasized the importance of family and community in his career choices. “We left Washington not because I didn’t like the job there but the cost of living in Seattle is just brutal, and this Texas boy just couldn’t figure out at my age why I was paying so much money when I didn’t have to be somewhere else,” he shared.
At SHSU, Fralicks leads a dedicated financial stewardship and community engagement team. “I’m grateful for Sam Houston’s alumni base because they’re extremely loyal to the institution; they do give back,” he said. His team is working on several initiatives, including freshman scholarships and he spoke about the renovation of Bowers Stadium. “There’s going to be a very, very nice press box with a club and suites—a first-class FBS Division One environment,” Fralicks noted.
Highlighting the university’s academic strengths, Fralicks praised SHSU’s College of Business and its innovation and technology initiatives. “We have an innovation technology area where we’re doing some really just fabulous things with business, and there’s an idea that we were wanting to start a business incubator program,” he said.
Fralicks also underscored the university’s commitment to making education accessible and valuable. “Freshman scholarship is something that we’re in dire need of,” he stated, pointing out the competitive nature of attracting new students. “If anyone out there is interested in helping freshmen, they just need to get in touch with our office.”
Fralicks has a storied career in higher education development. Prior to his role at SHSU, he served as Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations & Advancement Communications at UNT, where he was the chief executive and fiduciary of the UNT Alumni Association, leading outreach for nearly 400,000 alumni. At the University of South Alabama, he led the “Upward and Onward Campaign,” raising funds for numerous initiatives, including the “100 Black Men of Greater Mobile” scholarship.
At the University of Washington, Fralicks served as Chief Advancement Officer and Assistant Dean for the School of Nursing, part of a $5 billion campaign, where his team exceeded their $40 million goal by raising $50.5 million. “I pride myself in organizing, applying strategy, energizing my staff and succeeding,” he said. He negotiated a transformative $8.6 million gift for rural nursing initiatives, benefiting Native American communities in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon.
Fralicks’ earlier roles include Executive Director of Development at UNT’s Ryan College of Business and Chief Advancement Officer at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, where he led the “Momentum” campaign, a $100 million fundraising effort. His career also includes senior roles at UT Arlington and UNT Athletics, where he spearheaded significant facility development and fundraising initiatives.
A 1987 graduate of UNT with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, Fralicks has served on several professional boards and has been a keynote speaker at national conferences. He was honored with the UNT Distinguished Alumni Award in 2002.
Kevin and his wife, Lucie, have three grown children and eight grandchildren. They enjoy spending quality time with their family, reflecting Fralicks’ deep-rooted values in education and community.
For more information on supporting SHSU’s development efforts, contact the University Development Office at 936-294-3625.
