Cecil Banks | Office of Major Events

Executive Director for Major Events and External Relations

Cecil Banks is a native of Richmond, Virginia. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Virginia in 2003. He returned to Charlottesville in 2005 to work for the UVA Alumni Association, leading the strategic planning and logistical coordination of the Alumni Association’s award-winning Reunions Weekend, as well as Football Weekends at Alumni Hall, Homecomings and Young Alumni Reunion, Black Alumni Weekend, affinity and alumni interest reunions, regional alumni events, and volunteer recruitment and engagement.

In 2015, Cecil joined the President's Office as Associate Director of Major Events and served as staff lead for the African American Alumni Advisory Group to the President, represented the Office of the President on Diversity Council, planned events on behalf of the Office of the President, and consulted with schools, units, departments, and University foundations on large-scale events. In addition to planning UVA’s annual graduation events, he assisted with the planning of the University of Virginia’s Bicentennial Commemoration, the Inauguration of President James E. Ryan, and the Honor the Future Capital Campaign Launch Weekend.

In 2020, Cecil joined UVA’s Office of Advancement as Director of Donor Relations, overseeing the Strategic Events and Strategic Stewardship teams. During his time with University Advancement, Cecil led planning efforts for regional campaign events in 10 cities in the U.S. and in London, as well as oversaw planning for two hybrid campaign events during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2022, Cecil returned to the President's Office as Executive Director for Major Events and External Relations.

Cecil is an engaged member of the University and Charlottesville communities. He currently serves on the Western Commonwealth Region Interview Committee and the Walentas Scholars Finalists Interview Committee for the Jefferson Scholars Foundation. He is also founding chair of the Blue Ridge Board of Directors for the Virginia Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Cecil and his wife, Shannon (CLAS '05), have two sons, Edward and Aiden, and an extremely spoiled dog, Sabre.