Kelli Schutte
Lee’s Summit,MO
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience at William Jewell College, excelling in strategic planning and program development. Proven track record of fostering partnerships that increased graduate enrollment by 400 students. Adept at budget management and stakeholder engagement, driving innovative initiatives that enhance academic quality and institutional effectiveness.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Division Head, Business, Communication and Education
William Jewell College
Liberty, MO
01.2025 - Current
- Led strategic planning for academic programs and resource allocation.
- Aligned budgetary processes with institutional goals and priorities to support strategic initiatives.
- Created and maintained budgets for the division, ensuring expenditures remained within allocated limits.
- Monitored financial performance metrics such as revenue growth and cost savings initiatives to optimize efficiency.
- Enhanced student engagement and retention initiatives through collaboration with departments.
- Facilitated interdisciplinary partnerships to promote innovative programs.
- Directed compliance with accreditation standards and institutional policies.
- Identified potential areas of improvement in current processes and procedures within the division.
- Evaluated current systems used by the division and identified opportunities for improvement.
- Identified trends and opportunities for improvement through comprehensive data analysis.
- Analyzed industry trends and made recommendations regarding changes in strategy or operations accordingly.
- Maintained effective communication with external stakeholders including clients, vendors and partners.
Peer Reviewer
Higher Learning Commission
01.2024 - Current
- Reviewed peer submissions for Higher Learning Commission, enhancing assessment and compliance processes for institutions of higher education.
- Evaluated academic programs for compliance with accreditation standards.
- Evaluated submissions for clarity and alignment with accreditation criteria to ensure adherence to standards.
- Provided actionable feedback on institutional reports and self-study documents, contributing to overall accreditation readiness.
- Collaborated with teams to assess educational quality and outcomes.
- Conducted site visits to observe educational practices and processes.
Dean of Innovation and New Programs
William Jewell College
Liberty, MO
01.2023 - Current
- Spearheaded the development of innovative academic programs and fostered strategic partnerships.
- Identified and Fostered 2 major partnerships to bring in an additional 400 graduate students within 18 months.
- Analyzed and assessed current academic portfolio to identify program effectiveness and feasibility, leading to 5 new programs across 4 different divisions.
- Cultivated innovation among faculty and staff in academic affairs.
- Serve as the Leader of MOAT (Market Opportunity Assessment Team).
- Collaborate with the Dean of the Faculty to Coach Chairs and Program Leaders on program development.
- Shepherd New Programs through the review process, including Curriculum Education and Policy Committee and Faculty approval processes.
- Collaborate with Vice President for Academic Affairs to ensure appropriate accreditation approvals for new programs.
- Collaborated with committees to assess and refine new programs regularly.
- Acted as ambassador for the College, building relationships and partnerships with outside organizations.
Acting President
William Jewell College
Liberty, MO
2025 - 2025
- Led strategic planning initiatives to enhance college-wide programs and policies.
- Developed and executed strategic business plan to attain assigned metrics.
- Provided leadership and guidance on budgeting decisions to maximize resources available.
- Determined performance goals and offered tactics for achieving milestones.
- Organized and facilitated board meetings and strategic planning sessions to align goals and priorities during annual conferences.
- Fostered collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, and community stakeholders.
- Represented the organization at community events and public forums to promote its mission.
- Served as an advisor to the new president, providing strategic insights and recommendations.
Professor, Chair of the Department of Business and Leadership
William Jewell College
Liberty, MO
01.2008 - 03.2024
- Responsible for administering teaching, research, and service in a manner, which advances and promotes the goals and strategies of the business program.
- Researched, resourced, planned, built consensus, and developed new programs aligned with college goals.
- My role seeks mission aligned and market driven programs to develop at the college.
- Initiated and led the Creativity and Innovation program, securing $925,000 in funding and recruiting faculty.
- Manage a department of 7 faculty members and oversee 5 curricular programs including accounting, business, economics, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
- Currently teach Corporate Finance, Human Resource Management, Leadership and Entrepreneurial courses.
- Traveled with students to Kenya and Honduras to assist in economic development and microenterprise opportunities.
- Led a study and a corresponding program development of a micro-lending program in Croc, Mexico that has led to over 100 loans in the last 10 years.
- Developed a course for our Critical Thought and Inquiry program, Philanthropy and Climate Change.
- Developed and oversaw departmental assessment plans for five curricular programs, ensuring alignment with accreditation standards.
- Participated in various committees to support institutional governance.
- Member of search committee for Vice-President for Academic Affairs, 2022-2023
- Member of Strategic Planning Committee, 2017-2021, 2023-2024
- Led 6 search committees from 2012 – Present
- Member of search committee for CFO, 2019
- Member of Human Capital Strategy Team – 2020 - Present
- Served on Faculty Council including chair of Faculty Council (2017-18 and 2023-2024), 2017-2020, 2022, 2023, 2024
- Co-chair Market Opportunity Assessment Team, 2019-Present
- Presidential Vision Team Member, 1 of 4 faculty member appointed to the President’s Ever Better Vision Team 2012
- Chaired the Creativity and Innovation Task Force from 2011 to 2018. Led a group of faculty in forming and implementing a campus-wide initiative on innovation.
- Chair, Faculty Development Committee. Voted member 2010-2013, Chair, 2012-2013.
- Member of the Steering Committee for the North Central Accreditation visit, 2009/2010
- Member, Dean’s Search Committee, 2007
- Member, Salary Task Force, 2007 – 2009, 2022
- Chair, Pryor Leadership Committee, 2006 – 2009
- Co-chair, Curriculum Development Sub-Committee, Business Department, 2006/07
- Member, Institutional Review Board, 2005 – 2019
Assistant Professor
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI
01.1995 - 12.2003
- Responsible for actively engaging in continuous learning to advance teaching and research, in order to contribute to the community of the college.
- Taught classes in the area of Human Resource Management, Introduction to Business, Management, Business Internships, Accounting, Business Ethics, Cross-cultural engagement & Finance.
- Contributed to development of Internship program, enhancing student experiential learning opportunities.
- Collaborated with team to design and implement college-wide program that elevated internships from independent courses to structured program.
- Developed the following courses Individually: Haitian Business Partnership, Personal Financial Planning.
- Developed the following courses with colleagues: Introduction to Business, Leadership.
- Worked on a curriculum revision for the business major.
- Executed classroom responsibilities, research projects, advising, and committee assignments.
- Participated in College-wide Assessment Committee, evaluating and improving academic programs for quality assurance.
- Served on College-wide Adult and Continuing Education Committee.
- Formally responsible for mentoring the student run Investment Club.
- Served as scholarship coordinator for the department.
- Taught extensively with adult learners in a degree-completion program.
Education
Ph.D. - Administration, concentration in Human Resource Management
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MIM.B.A. - Concentration in Finance
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MIB.A. - Economics and Business, double major
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MISkills
- Strategic planning
- Budget management
- Compliance standards
- Program development
- Data analysis
- Stakeholder engagement
- Performance evaluation
- Resource allocation
- Innovative thinking
- Relationship building
- Strategic visioning
Grants
- Loose Foundation, 2026, Sports Media Certificate Development
- Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, 2020, Creativity and Innovation Program Grant, $50,000
- Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, 2017-2018, University Innovation Fellows Development Grant, $30,000
- Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, 2013-2016, Entrepreneurial Programming Grant, $925,000 (grant and matching funds)
- Honduras Partners, 2011, Partnering with UNAH-CURLA, La Ceiba Honduras
- Missouri Campus Compact Grant, 2010, Honduras Microenterprise
- NSF Grant, 2009-2012, Entrepreneurship: From White Board to Board Room, in partnership with University of Missouri, Kansas University and Johnson County Community College
- Missouri Campus Compact Grant, 2007, YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter
- Hall Family Foundation Grant, 2006, Micro-Enterprise
- Missouri Campus Compact Grant, 2006, Ethical Game Development
- Missouri Campus Compact Grant, 2006, Cultural Analysis
- Missouri Campus Compact Grant, 2006, Micro-Enterprise
- Missouri Campus Compact Grant, 2005, Environmental Concerns
- Missouri Service Learning, 2005, Grant for Financial Literacy
- Kansas Campus Compact Grant, 2004, Pedagogical use of Service Learning
- MCEIA Research Grant, 2002-2003, Experiential Learning
Reviews
- Honorary Advisor for Program Review, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong, School of Business Administration Honors Program, Fall 2010
- Academic Advisory Board for Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Human Resources Management, McGraw-Hill Publishing, Spring 2009
- Money and Banking, Thomson Learning, 01/2009
- ORGB, Organizational Behavior, Nelson & Quick, Cengage, 2008
- Management Text, Dyck and Neubert, Houghton Mifflin, 11/2007
- Organizational Behavior Text, Thomson Learning, 07/2007
- American Educational Research Association Journal, Social and Institutional Analysis, Fall 2002
- Primal Leadership, Goleman, Boyatzis & McKee, 06/2002
- Leadership Text, Navaharandi, Prentice Hall, 05/2001
Board Positions
- Flor Rigsby Hispanic Scholarship, 2020-Present
- NCircle, 2019-Present
- DOOR International, 2017-2025, Vice President 2024-2025
- Association for a More Just Society, 2009-Present
- Spero House, 2013-2016
- Legacy, Dynamic Ltd, 2008-2009
- Christian Reformed World Relief Board Member, 2001-2009
- Criminal Justice Chaplaincy, Advisory Board, 2002-2003
- New Focus National, 1999-2002
- Chamber Music Society, 1997-1998
- Discovery Leadership Board, 1992-1994
Publications
- Braitman, Keli; Lisenby, David; Schutte, Kelli, Chapter in High Impact & Experiential Learning as Enhancing Quality on Campus, Vernon Press, 2025, Issue-based experiential projects in an honors curriculum., Schutte, Kelli J., Academic Women at Home and at Work, VDM Verlag Publishing, 2009
- Hazels, Tabetha; Schutte, Kelli J.; McVay, Shelly, A Case Study in Using Integrated Rubrics in Assessment, The Journal of Education and Culture Studies, 09/01/20, 4, 3
- Schutte, Kelli J.; McCullick, Chris; Line, David, Using Curriculum Mapping and Visualization to Maximize Effective Change, Administrative Issues Journal, Winter 2019, 8, 2
- Line, David; Schutte, Kelli J.; McCullick, Chris, Curriculum Mapping and Visualization, The Department Chair Journal, Fall 2016, 27, 2
- Scarfino, Deborah R.; Schutte, Kelli J.; Campbell, Tanna; Pryor, Christina, Effects of Culture and Education on Ethical Responses on Our Global Society, Università degli Studi, FormaMente, 2013
- Schutte, Kelli J.; Wetmore, Lori, Experiential Learning as a Catalyst for Moral Development in Cognitive Growth, Journal of International Business and Social Science, 10/01/12, 3, 19
- Scarfino, Deborah R.; Schutte, Kelli J.; Campbell, Tanna; Pryor, Christina, Effects of Culture and Education on Ethical Responses on Our Global Society, Journal of Global Advances in Business Communications, 10/01/11
- Schutte, Kelli J., Fostering an Integrated Life of Purpose, Journal of Christian Higher Education, 11/01/08, Schutte, Kelli J., Journey or Destination: A study of Experiential Education, Reflection and Cognitive Development, Journal of Cooperative Education and Internships, 05/01/07
- Schutte, Kelli J.; Eaton, Susan, Perceived usability of work/life policies, Sloan Work-Family Encyclopedia, 2004
- Schutte, Kelli J., Making the most of your internship, Guide to Finding Your Perfect Job, Career or Internship, 2002
- Schutte, Kelli J., Book Review on Positive Turbulence, Human Resource Planning Society Journal, 2002
Presentations
- Critical Thinking, High Impact Practices and Student Engagement, Conference on Applied Learning in Higher Education, 03/2024
- Leading for Change, Presentation and Training for Mount Union University, 08/2021, Co-led with Dr. Keli Braitman
- Understanding and Communication Program Outcomes through Visualization and Mapping, Academic Chairperson Conference, 02/2016, Charleston, SC
- Whole-Self Entrepreneurship, Christian Business Faculty Association, 10/2015, Regent University, Virginia
- Business and Common Grace, Panel member, 10/2014, Calvin College
- Utilizing Corporate Organizational Development Methods to Assess Higher Education Effectiveness, Invited Presenter, AIR International Conference, 05/2011, Toronto
- Keynote address, The Landscape of Workplace Flexibility in the Retail Industry, A presentation at the National Dialogue on Workplace Flexibility series with the United States Department of Labor, 03/2011, Kauffman Conference, Kansas City, MO
- Value Development through Experiential Learning, Conference on Applied Learning in Higher Education, 02/2011, Presented with Dr. Lori Wetmore, Missouri Western University, St. Joseph, Missouri
- Applying Corporate Organizational Development (OD) Methodologies to a Higher Education Institutional Setting, MID-AIR Conference, 11/2010, Winner of the Joe Saupe Best Presentation of the Conference Award, Kansas City, Kansas
- Village Partnerships, Creating Holistic Sustainable Change, Presented with Dr. Lori Wetmore and Dr. Rafael Carias, 10/2010, Copan, Honduras
- One College, One Village, One World: Moving People out of Poverty by Actively Engaging the Spirit and Intellect of Higher Education, Presented with Kevin Prine, 10/2008, Baylor University Symposium on Faith and Learning, Bottom-up Approaches to Global Poverty
- Synthesizing Applied Learning and Critical Thinking, William Jewell College’s new major, Invited Presentation, 02/2008, Presented with Ron Witzke and Kathleen Tacelosky, Applied Learning Conference, St. Joseph, Missouri
- Native Kenyan Creations: Utilizing Applied Learning with Undergraduates in a Cross-Cultural Experience, Presented with Hannah Smith (student), 02/2008, Applied Learning Conference, St. Joseph, Missouri
- The Use of Reflection in Experiential Education: Link to Cognitive Development and Growth, National Society of Experiential Education, 11/2007, Seattle, Washington
- How to Navigate Generational Conflict, Southwest Kansas Technical College, 08/2007
- Cross Generational Communication in the Workplace, FSAA, Emporia College, 04/2007
- How to Hire and Fire, Liberty Chamber of Commerce, 04/2007
- Using Community Partnerships and Applied Learning Projects to Teach Critical Thinking Skills and Values, American Business Communications Conference, 10/2006, San Antonio, TX
- Students in Free Enterprise: Community Partnerships that Foster Applied Learning, Missouri Campus Compact Conference, 06/2006
- Work Life Congruency: Managing Various Demands for a Purposeful Life, Work-Family Research Conference, 03/2006, Brigham Young University
- Supervisor Effectiveness, Midwest Cooperative Education and Internship Association Conference, 11/2003
- Experiential Education, Reflection and Cognitive Development, Midwest Experiential Education, Cooperative Education and Internship Association Conference, 10/2002
- Composing a Life: A Review of Work, its Meaning and its Relationship to Work/Life Policy Development, Colloquium, Fall 2001, Calvin College, University of Wisconsin, Spring 2002
- Living an Integrated Life, CUWFA Conference, 03/2001, Tucson, Arizona
- Value-added Internships, MCEA Conference, 10/2000, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Balancing Work and Family, Business as a Christian Calling Conference, Spring 1999, Calvin College
- A Haitian Partnership, Colloquium, 03/1999, Calvin College
- Personal Financial Planning Analysis for Women, Discovery Church, 01/1997
- Financial Implications of Corporate Downsizing, Master's Thesis, 12/1994, Western Michigan University, Calvin College, Colloquium, March 1995
Activities
- External Reviewer, American University of Kiev, Masters in Global Management, 2024
- Faculty Council Chair, 2023-2024
- Keystone Innovation District, Pathways Committee, 2021
- Johnson County Housing for All Task Force, 2021
- Kauffman Scholars Review Team, At Risk Scholarship Team, 2018-2023
- Market Opportunity Assessment Team, Co-Chair, 2020-2024
- External Review Committee Chair, Hope College Department of Economics and Business, 2019
- Blue Valley Center for Advanced Professional Studies, 2016-2024
- KCAPS Board Member, Kansas City Industrial Psychology Group, 2019-Present
- Faculty Council Chair, 2017-2018
- Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee, 2015-2018
- Endowed Chair Position, Dorothy Hull Chair of Business, 2011-2017
- Faculty Development Committee, (Now Faculty Promotion and Tenure), 2011-2014, Chaired (2014)
- Chinese MBA Curriculum Development, 09/2014
- Missouri Educators Gateway Assessment Online Framework Reviewer, Business, 2013
- Self-Study team for North Central Accreditation review of William Jewell College, Author of Criterion 2 chapter and member of steering committee, 2008-2010
- AACSB reviewer for the Mid-Continent East 'Innovation in Business Education Award', 09/2010
- IACBE Board Nominating Committee, 07/2009, 01/2010
- Harlaxton College, Grantham, England, Taught business courses for the fall, 2008
- External Reviewer for Dr. Brian Porter, Full Professor application, Hope College, Holland, Michigan, Summer 2008
- Phi Beta Lambda Comprehensive Business Exam, FBLA/PBL, Outcomes Contributor, 2008
- Prepared and presented training program for Marillac Schools for at-risk teens, Liberty, Missouri, 11/2007
- Developed training program for job readiness for the YWCA, St. Joseph, Missouri, Fall 2007
- Participated in Executive Round Table Discussion with Secretary of the Treasury, Paul H. O’Neill, tax initiatives, 04/2002
- Contributor to WOOD Radio News Story on Stress in the Workplace, 06/21/2002
- Chaired session on 'Christian Scholarship as a Calling: What Does it Mean for Business Faculty?', Christian Scholarship . . . for What? Conference, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 09/2001
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Division Head, Business, Communication and Education
William Jewell College
01.2025 - Current
Peer Reviewer
Higher Learning Commission
01.2024 - Current
Dean of Innovation and New Programs
William Jewell College
01.2023 - Current
Professor, Chair of the Department of Business and Leadership
William Jewell College
01.2008 - 03.2024
Assistant Professor
Calvin College
01.1995 - 12.2003
Acting President
William Jewell College
2025 - 2025
Ph.D. - Administration, concentration in Human Resource Management
Michigan State University
M.B.A. - Concentration in Finance
Western Michigan University
B.A. - Economics and Business, double major
Calvin College