Michelle M. Searer, Ph.D., M.B.A., B.S. Email & Phone Number

Greater Chicago Area

The Common Ground Project (CGP), is an innovative and evolutionary think tank of accomplished leaders from a variety of disciplines (industry, higher and public education, media, counseling, and technology, etc.). who lend their collaborative talents to help organizations become more effective. Through the development of intellectual capital, CPG members employ a Reflective Round Table strategy, to develop dynamic servant leaders and teams that wish to transform their organizations and communities. Using an interactive, self-reflective method, the Reflective Round Table provides the forum for leaders and teams to identify their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and a framework to create high performance teams and sustainable organizations.

Greater Chicago And Northwest Indiana

Develop annual recruitment plans targeting prospective students including visits to high schools, athletic and community events and competitions to scout for new talent; collaborate with admissions and athletics by establishing and meeting team enrollment, recruiting, scholarship, and discount rate goals; ensure compliance with NCAA DII policies; manage annual budget including the awarding of athletic scholarships; maintain student-athlete records and monitor academic progress to ensure academic standards. Manage overall team operations, develop practice and game day plans, coordinate team fund development and community appearance opportunities.

Greater Chicago Area

Provided strategic direction and leadership to the Saint Joseph's College (SJC) Office of Institutional Advancement, Marketing, Alumni Affairs and Parent Relations. Developed and implemented a comprehensive donor, alumni, parent and stewardship relations and engagement programs in support of Saint Joseph's College mission, strategic planning and fund development priorities. Served to engage, donors, parents and alumni by fostering a lifelong connection through networking services, seminars, mentoring programs, chapter development, special events and volunteer opportunities. Manages and portfolio of approximately 150 prospects for cultivation. Provides overall strategic-planning and program development that engages School/College Deans, faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents and volunteers designed to educate, communicate, involve and cultivate the support of more than 16,000 SJC alumni and friends.

Greater Chicago And Northwest Indiana

Served in senior leadership role responsible for strategic operational decisions. Managed and oversaw all operational activities including, but not limited to fundraising and resource development; marketing and communications; programming and curricular development; alumni relations and engagement; community leadership development; and the day-to-day management of staff. Led and drove all revenue generating functions that impact and build upon the Center’s visibility and financial resources which include developing key external partnerships through individual and corporate philanthropic support and capacity; solicitation of major gifts, federal and state grants, special events, and corporate and foundation support; developing and executing the strategic marketing and communications to build awareness and financial support the Center’s programs and activities; and is responsible for participant recruitment, corporate relationships, sponsorship, membership and program support. In addition, supervised, facilitated, and built capabilities to deliver leader-led and facilitated, organization and talent development initiatives for all programs.

Canton, Ohio Area

Provided leadership for multi-unit enrollment management and marketing division with nearly four million dollar operating budget and more than 50 professional and support staff including: Admissions, Financial Aid, Graduate and Professional Studies, University Relations and Marketing. Chief enrollment management and marketing officer reported to the President and a member of the university's senior leadership team.Developed comprehensive recruitment, retention, financial aid, tuition discounting and marketing strategies to effect efficient and financially sound enrollment growth. Ongoing development of collaborative cross-divisional partnerships with faculty to support enrollment initiatives. Responsible for generating tuition revenue of nearly $28 million: developed strategies to maximize net tuition revenue while reducing discount rate; created comprehensive award matrix including tiered levels for award deadlines for new freshman and transfer students.

Canton, Ohio Area

Provided leadership for Office of Undergraduate Admissions, and the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies with 18 direct reports. Responsible for final admissions decisions, recruitment and enrollment planning to enroll a diverse and highly qualified prospects utilizing historical data and current trend data. Developed new initiatives to improve the diversity and quality of the applicant pool and improve yield. Coordinated comprehensive student recruitment and outreach plan targeting geographic service areas including large and small scale college fairs, open houses and campus visits and tours. Developed and implemented departmental policies and procedures including but not limited to office procedures, managing and supervising staff, and delegation of duties to ensure office is staffed appropriately. Oversaw the implementation of a CRM business strategy and enhancement of a predictive modeling strategy. Hired permanent Director in July 2013.

Canton, Ohio

Glen Ellyn, Illinois

Directed strategic enrollment and marketing initiatives of a $6.5 million multi-unit division with 100 personnel consisting of Admissions and Information, Financial Aid, International Student Services, Records, Registration, and Marketing and Creative Services. Chief marketing and enrollment management officer reporting directly to the President and a member of the President’s Cabinet.Developed comprehensive recruitment, retention, financial aid, and marketing strategies that played pivotal role in significant enrollment growth and student success. Developed collaborative cross-divisional partnerships with faculty to support enrollment programming, as well as strong relationships with prospective students, parents, community, government officials, and media to support institutional goals and contributed to the passage of a $168 million referendum.

Gary, Indiana

Gary, Indiana

Directed strategic marketing, communications and public relations strategies to drive enrollment growth, public support, awareness, alumni and donor development, fundraising initiatives, and overall university image and branding. Served as key public information officer, advisor to the Chancellor, and primary university spokesperson.Executed integrated enrollment strategies contributing to the largest multiple-year enrollment growth. Namely specific area of growth included launch of executive MBA program and minority enrollment. Segmented marketing strategies and targeted campaigns effectively geared toward specific markets were effective in meeting these goals. Additionally, effective marketing and public relations strategies also contributed to significant and the largest ever campus growth in development initiatives resulting in increase in donor contributions and growth in net funds raised for Gala Celebration and Golf Classic events.

Greater Chicago Area

Developed and implemented strategic marketing initiatives to effectively promote secondary education print, computer-based, online, and personal digital assistant product lines. Managed creative development of marketing collateral, and directed online marketing and e-commerce initiatives through the design and maintenance of corporate website content and analysis of online store performance. Served as media liaison and spokesperson for related trade associations and industry publications, and managed event logistics, and coordinated corporate presence at national and regional tradeshows and conferences. Analyzed and measured the effectiveness of direct marketing campaigns by tracking response to promotional mailings and lead movement through the sales pipeline.

Greater Chicago Area

Managed and developed a variety of commercial printing and marketing services; newsletters, brochures, newspapers, manuals, promotional items, website development, direct mail campaigns, media placement, and event planning and management. Designed effective marketing solutions for business to business and business to consumer clients. Developed and implemented marketing strategies to support advertising sales, and streamline circulation and distribution channels for leading real estate publication. Supervised creative, marketing, and sales staff and managed development of ad concepts, editorial content, layout, printing, circulation and distribution monitoring. Created strategic business development plan that resulted in 75% increase in net advertising sales for real estate publication within first year of launch.

Merrillville, Indiana, United States

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Ph.D., Leadership For Higher Education, 3.75

Research & Dissertation Title: The Relationship Between Academic Engagement and First-To-Second-Year Retention of Latino Male College.

Post Master'S Certificate, Enrollment Management, 4.0

Post Master's Certificate (P.M.C.) in Enrollment Management was earned in collaboration with a partnership between Capella University.

M.B.A. (Aacsb Accredited), Business Administration, Marketing Minor

Activities and Societies: President, Delta Sigma Pi; Secretary, Student Government; and Advertising and Business Manager, The Northwest.

B.S. (Aacsb Accredited), Business Administration, Marketing Minor

Activities and Societies: President, Delta Sigma Pi (Business Fraternity), Student Government, Student Newspaper.Undergraduate Independent.

A.A., Communication And Media Studies

Activities and Societies: Courier, student newspaper and Student Government

Political Science

Activities and Societies: Marching Huskies and Silverettes member