GW’s interim fundraising chief will move into the permanent role as his office looks to maintain momentum during a $1 billion campaign, University President Steven Knapp announced Friday at a meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Aristide Collins, who has led the fundraising office since Michael Morsberger stepped down in the fall, will take over as vice president for development and alumni relations immediately.

Knapp said at the meeting that Collins was “instrumental” in helping GW continue to build connections after Morsberger left, and that to date the office has raised more than $700 million toward the total campaign goal.

Collins returned to GW in 2010 after previously working in the fundraising office. He has spent five years as the vice president and secretary of the University.

GW will launch a search to fill Collins’ previous position, in which he helped manage the Board of Trustees.

“I value the strong working relationships we have built and look forward to continuing to serve the University as we work together to achieve great aspirations through philanthropy,” Collins said in a release.