Destiny Mcdonald, M.S.Ed. Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois, United States

As the Inaugural Director of Program Success at Braven, I am responsible for the academic success of 200-400 Fellows enrolled in the course, stewarding the Accelerator experience and quality assurance of a caseload of 44 Leadership Coaches (LCs), 4 Coaching Partners, 8 Graders and 2 Braven Program Facilitators across our Northern Illinois University and Delaware State University partnerships.This includes continuously reviewing data to identify Fellows needing additional course support and triage interventions between the Braven Facilitator and Graders for escalated Fellows; creating and refining processes and academic interventions in collaboration with internal teams.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Facilitation and management of the execution of the Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator course for underrepresented, first-generation, and Pell grant-eligible college students. This included the overall management and execution of the program and relationship management of stakeholders.

Advised and collaborated with campus partners to provide students and research faculty mentors with resources, support, referral, and advocacy. Facilitated on-going discussions with academic and student service units related to undergraduate research opportunities including promoting unit programs, providing regular updates on student engagement in OSEEL programs, and managing and developing new partnerships. Coordinated and implemented NIU’s campus-wide undergraduate research symposium and professional development conference.

Directed all OSEEL supported undergraduate research and service learning programs. Created and facilitated monthly workshops on topics related to undergraduate research to the campus community. Coordinated application and interview processes for internal undergraduate research and travel grants, managed research budgets ranging from $30,000 to $75,000. Provided oversight of faculty review committees for the Department and worked with the OSEEL Director to coordinate program assessment and evaluation and disseminate information to colleges and campus partners as needed.

Dekalb, Illinois, United States

Assisted first-year and first-semester transfer students as they integrated to the NIU campus and culture through classroom lectures, class discussion, and critical reflection activities. Facilitated curriculum and activities related to the University’s Common Read, Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson and Make Your Home Amongst Strangers by Jennine Capó Crucet.

Dekalb, Il

Provided support to NIU faculty and staff working with undergraduate researchers and develop, implement and assess undergraduate research initiatives. Worked with students and faculty to identify appropriate undergraduate research programs and funding opportunities for their research and scholarly programs. I also identified and cultivated partnerships with campus units and centers to increase undergraduate research opportunities and access for underrepresented student populations and academic disciplines.

Provided leadership, direction, and on-going support of service learning and volunteerism initiatives on the NIU campus. This included coordinating all major community service campus events, providing oversight of the University’s alternative spring break program and working in partnership with DeKalb County volunteer agencies and NIU Departments to evaluate and monitor all volunteer, community service activities.

• Provided professional-level assistance for the Director of Student Involvement & Leadership Development (SILD)• Assisted with the development of long-term goals and annual objectives related to the department based on internal and external review process• Provided logistical support for programs and events in the areas of Student Organizational Services and Huskie Family Connections • Maintained and updated Huskie Family Connections web page using Cascade Server software for SILD• Created and distributed Involved: Student Life and The Huskie Minute electronic newsletters monthly and bi-weekly respectively• Assisted in the planning and implementation of programmatic events sponsored by the department (SILD)• Developed, planned, and implemented campus-wide programs, including Transfer Luncheons, Off-Campus Housing Fair, and Commuter Connections Day for Off-Campus & Non-Traditional Student Services (OCNTSS)• Assisted with the day-to-day operation of the Commuter Lounge and coordinating OCNTSS services• Regularly communicated with students and parents in order to answer their questions and concerns by e-mail, letters, social media, and follow-up phone calls• Assisted with the hiring process and training of four Student Coordinators in OCNTSS• Fostered collaborative relationships with Departments within Student Affairs & Enrollment Management and outside of the Division in order to enhance services for students

• Provided on-going holistic advising, counseling, and assistance to freshmen pre-elementary education students• Assisted students with registration and educated students on program requirements and procedures and articulation information• Acted as the Academic Advisor for the Early Childhood Education program during summer orientation

Master Of Science In Education (M.S.Ed.), College Student Counseling And Personnel Services

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Family Social Services