Leon M. Kelley Email & Phone Number

I am an instructor in the University of the People Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program. UoP is a 100% online open enrollment university providing limited educational programs to a highly diverse and geographically dispersed student population. UoP’s mission is to offer affordable, quality, online, degree-granting educational programs to any qualified student. UoP is a tuition-free Online University accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.https://www.uopeople.edu/

Melrose Park, Illinois

Chicagoland

Founder of a non-profit organization created to deliver career development and college selection services, targeting under-represented student populations. Access 2 Success provided underrepresented students the tools, knowledge, and confidence to attend and complete post-secondary education, and achieve the career that is right for each student. Focusing on closing the equity gap underrepresented students face requires an individualized approach to ensure understanding of career and education choice. Armed with the necessary knowledge and understanding of how to make the best personal decisions for post-secondary education and career choice, underrepresented students will begin their education with a strong commitment to completing the certificate or degree.

Biloxi, Mississippi Area

Direct and oversee all campus operations including financial performance, marketing, admissions, quality education delivery, new program development, affiliate training site agreements, marketing, alumni relations, career services, and student finance. Responsible for planning, developing, administering and providing management oversight of the college’s instructional programs (associate degree, skill/certificate), the management and evaluation of instructional faculty, staff and administrators, and the evaluation of programs for compliance with academic and accreditation standards and practices. Work collaboratively with senior administrative staff to develop, implement and monitor approaches to academic excellence and quality student experiences. Work with senior administrators and external stakeholders to build partnerships, enhance education, transfer and career goals for students.

Eagan, Mn

In my role as Campus President, I direct and oversee campus financial performance, quality education delivery, new program development, affiliate training site agreements, marketing, alumni relations, career services and student finance. Here are just a few of my accomplishments:• Developed fiscal year budget of 15% EBITDA growth year over year (YOY) by leading strategic budgeting model and long-range planning process. • Reduced total campus salary expense $750K+ from previous year by identifying more efficient job requirements and eliminating unnecessary positions.

In this role, I managed campus financial performance, education delivery, program development, affiliate training site agreements, marketing, and student / alumni / career services.Here are just two of my accomplishments:• Achieved positive EBITDA of $75K versus expected loss of $250K by expense avoidance and more efficient job design.• Received President’s Award for Excellence in Retention by developing and implementing academic support program for at-risk online undergraduate students.

Remote

My responsibilities included course content revisions and updates for online credit bearing courses.

Here, I delivered leadership for academic support teams focused on faculty / classroom quality, grade appeals, student academic integrity issues, blended learning program, University Learning Center and library services for 50+ employees at multi-campus, multi-state university.Here is one of my accomplishments:• Improved resolution of student grade appeals to within 14 days from receipt of completed appeal file.

Schaumburg, Il

As VP and Associate Provost, I provided senior leadership for student advising, career and alumni services, including 100+ employees.Here are two of my accomplishments:• Reduced student attrition 3% by developing and instituting university-wide student retention strategy through root-cause analysis.• Reduced new student cancels 5% and improved 1st-quarter retention 8% by implementing online orientation.

Schaumburg, Il

In this role, I reported to the Provost and Chief Academic Officer, leading student affairs and student retention strategy for online and ground-based campuses. I also directed Student Advising, Prior Learning Assessment, Registrar, Career Services and Quality Assurance departments, with 160+ employees and $5M budget. These are just some of my accomplishments:• Increased 1st-year retention 5% by directing cross-functional student retention project, driving revision of curriculum sequence.• Reduced failure rate by 13% and improved retention rate by 8% in 1st-year Algebra course by directing task force of academics and support staff.• Drove removal of Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) probation status by devising and integrating policies / procedures for all student affairs departments serving 18K+ online students.

Here, I managed a team of 20+ admissions staff, and ensured compliance with governmental, accreditation and company policies and procedures. I led the overall administration of interviewing, enrolling, starting and retaining new students.These are just some of my accomplishments:• Promoted to Director of Admissions within 9 months.• Awarded Vince Lombardi Award for Leadership by achieving new student start budget, show-rate goal and top 1st-term student retention.• Accomplished highest number of new student enrollments and outperformed new student start excellence benchmarks.

Greater Chicago Area

Web development, hosting, and consulting organization serving clients such as Crate & Barrel, Coach, 800 Flowers, and Godiva with e-commerce solutions.Managing Director 2001 – 2003National Account Manager 2000 - 2001

Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Information Management

Doctor Of Education (Ed.D.) [In Progress], Organizational Leadership

Bachelor’S Degree, English/American Literature, Honors