Provides leadership and vision on how best to support the success of NIU’s growing online student population via recruitment, retention, development of new online programs, evaluating and improving current online programs, and leveraging and enhancing student services available to online students. Oversees the operations of the Office of Online Learning and leads a team of eight full-time Online Student Success Specialists that function as the one-stop shop for online student support at NIU. Provides direction on best practices in recruitment strategies and lead nurturing processes for prospective, new, and continuing students to ensure quality service. Collaborates with various units on campus and academic departments that house online programs to implement standard operating procedures regarding student services and application processing/review.

Served as primary liaison between the institution and enrollment support vendor for online recruitment, admissions, and enrollment management functions. Collaborated with academic units and departments to evaluate and improve current processes and student support for the university’s online learners. Remained primary point of contact for all online programs not supported by the vendor and assisted prospective students through the information gathering phase and admissions process. Utilized multi-tiered communication plans to engage students throughout their college search process and move them through the admissions funnel.

Served as primary point of contact for prospective students of all online programs offered at the university and conducted proactive outreach to assist students with the decision-making process. Guided prospective students through the admissions process with the goal of determining if their program of interest was a fit with their educational needs. Collaborated with academic units to seamlessly refer students appropriately and move them through the admissions funnel.

Engaged with prospective students on multiple platforms to match them with a suitable program. Utilized CRM systems to communicate with prospects and maintain student records. Conducted campus visits and interviews with students and parents, walked them through the application process, and facilitated institutional events.

Responsible for the hiring of BTPD concessions staff, scheduling weekly shifts, and orientations/trainings. In charge of ordering and inventorying products and supplies for concessions involved with park district events and Diamond Point Park. Managed the concessions facility at Diamond Point Park and the accompanying mobile trailers utilized at special events in compliance with regulations and health codes through the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Independently taught seven sections of CMN 1310G Introduction to Public Speaking. Organized each class session with lesson plans, facilitated course content, assigned coursework, graded speeches and assignments, and held weekly office hours. Assisted the Basic Course Director with editing course content for speech communication courses. Gathered and submitted progress reports for student athletes and students in the Gateway Program.

Engaged audiences by providing on-air talent and entertainment while taking song requests, operating the sound board, and keeping up with music logs. Regularly co-hosted the EIU Morning Show, hosted the Afternoon Drive, and voice tracked overnight and weekend shifts. Worked numerous remotes in the Charleston community and was responsible for updating and editing the music logs for the Odyssey, EIU’s online music station.