JACQUELYN BURNS RUCKER
South Bend,IN
Summary
Dynamic human resources leader with a proven record at Everwise Credit Union, enhancing DEI culture and fostering community relations at the University of Notre Dame. Excelled in leadership development, leveraging data for strategic DEI advancements, and building impactful partnerships. Skilled in diversity and inclusion, with a strong foundation in ethics and integrity. Achieved significant organizational change without relying solely on numerical percentages.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Adjunct Faculty (Part Time)
Ivy Tech Community College
10.2024 - Current
- Perform all instructional duties necessary to teach and facilitate student learning in assigned classes in Department of Student Success
- Provide syllabus appropriate to course(s) to students and follows syllabus content and requirements
- Maintain student attendance and grading records according to college policy as outlined in the Adjunct Handbook
- Submits requested information within established timelines
- Is available to students outside scheduled class time to answer questions and/or provide assistance
- Deal with student concerns and, if necessary, consult with program coordinator to resolve issues
- Documented student progress through grade tracking systems such as Canvas or Blackboard Learn
- Monitored attendance records and provided guidance when absences exceeded acceptable levels
- Utilized technology such as online discussion boards and webinars in the classroom setting
- Promoted an inclusive learning environment which respected differences among all learners
Principal
J.B. Rucker & Associates Strategic Consulting & Training
01.1996 - Current
- Company Overview: J.B
- Rucker & Associates is a boutique consulting/training practice
- We enhance organizational productivity by providing customized services addressing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB), leadership development, youth development, and asset-based problem solving using the ABCD methodology
- J.B
- Rucker & Associates is a boutique consulting/training practice
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Everwise Credit Union
10.2020 - 11.2023
- In conjunction with leadership, enhanced the organization's competitive position and utilized relevant data as well as market trends to create a DEI strategy focused on talent, culture, and community
- Advocated, championed, and advised all level of employees on DEI related topics and partnered with senior leaders to advance organizational change, resulting in embedding DEI into the everyday culture of the organization
- Designed and delivered education to drive greater equity and inclusion understanding and enhance customer service
- Partnered with Human Resources, Marketing, Talent Acquisition, Learning and Development to build employer branding, attract talent, and advance career development
- Designed, an interactive DEI intranet platform that displayed a diverse range of topics including a virtual DEI Resource Center, blogs, podcasts, calendar of events and diverse holidays
- Built relationships across all functional areas to establish Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
- Played a key role, providing direction for DEI Taskforce
- Created and implemented systems for regular data collection and reporting on key DEI metrics which incorporated both qualitative and quantitative analytics for monthly scorecard reporting
- Maintained knowledge of diversity related issues, legislation, and leading practices
- Provided leadership in times of crisis or change initiatives
- Cultivated relationships with key internal and external stakeholders
- Collaborated with stakeholders to identify areas for improvement and develop strategies for growth
- Established performance metrics to track progress and success of initiatives
Assoc. Director of Community Relations
University of Notre Dame
04.2003 - 08.2019
- Directed the Office of Community Relations
- Advised and collaborated with University Leadership on community issues related to implementation of the university strategic plan
- Developed partnerships with community leaders to advance components of the university strategic plan related to the city of South Bend and neighboring municipalities
- Diplomatically established and maintained relationships with key policy makers and stakeholders in the local community and throughout the state to facilitate university initiatives including vacation and redesign of roads surrounding the campus
- Establishment of Eddy Street Commons – Phase I, a retail development worth over $200 million
- Partnered with University and city leadership to develop programs for faculty/staff spouses & partners to promote retention
- Created the annual President's Community Leaders Breakfast and the annual President's Community Leaders Ecumenical Prayer Service & Reception
- Cooperated with university business operations and academic departments to create the Notre Dame Center for Arts & Culture (NDCAC)
- Directed the daily operation of the NDCAC
- Created multicultural learning opportunities for students, faculty, staff & community
- Convened regional academic leaders to direct and implement celebrated year long, regional cultural engagement programs hosted at regional colleges and universities: The Africana World: A Historical and Cultural Mosaic, The Indigenous & Latino Worlds: A Global Perspective, Queer Film Series (conducted in collaboration with ND Gender Studies)
- Sponsored and supported student created programming
- Cultivated relationships with key stakeholders, including board members, executive leadership, and external partners
- Oversaw the development of organizational policies and procedures related to operations, finance, human resources, compliance, and fundraising
- Managed day-to-day operations while meeting and exceeding university quality standards
- Monitored expenses against budget allocations to ensure fiscal responsibility
- Organized team meetings to keep staff members up-to-date with organizational changes
- Analyzed data from surveys to identify areas for improvement within the organization
- Developed departmental initiatives aligned with company vision, driving team performance towards established goals
Human Resources Department
Memorial Health System
11.1992 - 04.2003
- Held Corporate Diversity Manager, Management Development Specialist, and Professional Recruiter positions
- Developed and delivered leading-edge diversity and leadership development training programs that served as a model across 5,000 staff health system
- Served as consultant and subject matter expert to Human Resources and C-Suite executives
- Developed strategies to align diversity initiatives with corporate goals and business initiatives
- Represented Memorial Health System on community boards and committees
- From specialist to management roles, succeeded with continually increasing responsibilities in organizational change and growth
- Facilitated employee engagement initiatives like team building events and wellness programs
- Participated in recruiting events such as job fairs or college campus visits
- Conducted orientation sessions for new hires and trained supervisors in HR practices
- Collaborated with other departments to ensure smooth implementation of HR projects and initiatives
- Implemented change management initiatives when needed by introducing new systems or processes
- Advised senior management on best practices related to human resources policies and procedures
- Maintained confidential records related to personnel activities
- Provided guidance on recruitment process including job postings, interviewing, reference checks
- Conducted new employee orientation to foster cheerful outlook toward organizational objectives
HR Administrator
Allied Signal Aerospace Company
04.1990 - 11.1992
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) - Higher Ed. Administration & Educational Leadership Candidate
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN05.2025
Master of Science (M.S.) - Organizational Leadership & Education
Indiana University South Bend
South Bend, IN08.2011
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - American Studies
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN05.1983
Skills
- Ethics and integrity
- Human Resources Management
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Hiring and Retention
- Interdisciplinary Approach
- Collaborative learning
- Academic Writing
- Strategies and goals
- Strategic Planning
- Leadership and Staff Development
- Creativity and Innovation
- Problem-Solving
- Partnerships and Alliances
- Organizational Development
- Government relations
- Effective leader
- Course Planning
- Verbal and written communication
- Student Engagement
Certifications
- University of South Florida Muma College of Business, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace, 05/21
- Miles College, Birmingham, AL, AABHE Leadership & Mentoring Institute Certification, 07/15
Publications/Presentations
- At the Intersection—Arts education, cultural policy, community development, and capacity building: A pilot investigation of African American arts and culture in Michiana, University of Notre Dame, 04/2008
- At the Intersection—How We Got There: Research in Community Arts Development, The Fortieth Annual International Conference of Social Theory, Politics, and the Arts, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 10/19/2012
- Innovative-Thinkers Camp Pilot Project—Nurturing the STEM Pipeline, 2013 National Conference of American Association of Blacks in Higher Education, Atlanta, GA, 03/01/2013
- The Africana World: Utilizing Diversity for Collaboration, Education, and Advancement, 2014 National Conference of American Association of Blacks in Higher Education, Atlanta, GA, 03/14/2014
- Innovative-Thinkers Camp Revisited: A Model for Academic Preparation and Success, 2015 National Conference of American Association of Blacks in Higher Education, Charleston, SC, 04/10/2015
- Africana World 2.0: A Global Experience, 2016 National Conference of American Association of Blacks in Higher Education, Long Beach, CA, 04/08/2016
- Views from the Outside—Are There Too Many Arts Management Students for the Job Market?, The Tenth Annual Association of Arts Administration Educators, Madison, Wisconsin, 05/31/2019
Timeline
Adjunct Faculty (Part Time)
Ivy Tech Community College
10.2024 - Current
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Everwise Credit Union
10.2020 - 11.2023
Assoc. Director of Community Relations
University of Notre Dame
04.2003 - 08.2019
Principal
J.B. Rucker & Associates Strategic Consulting & Training
01.1996 - Current
Human Resources Department
Memorial Health System
11.1992 - 04.2003
HR Administrator
Allied Signal Aerospace Company
04.1990 - 11.1992
Master of Science (M.S.) - Organizational Leadership & Education
Indiana University South Bend
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) - Higher Ed. Administration & Educational Leadership Candidate
Indiana State University
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - American Studies
University of Notre Dame