Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Hi, I’m

Marion D, Berry, M.S.

Chicago,IL

Summary

Experienced leader in higher education, skilled at guiding high-performing teams and implementing strategic initiatives for organizational growth and improved student retention. Proven track record of overseeing cross-functional projects, resulting in significant process improvements and operational efficiencies. Adept at cultivating collaborative environments through effective communication and leadership, consistently delivering impactful results.

Overview

17
years of professional experience

Work History

Chicago State University

Director of Academic Advising and Student Support
01.2023 - Current

Job overview

  • Provide strategic leadership for the day-to-day operations, and oversight of academic advising, faculty advising, registration, and new student orientation.
  • Management, development, and implementation of comprehensive holistic advising and registration process.
  • Provide continuous improvement and development of the technology systems for academic advising and the university.
  • Standardized university advising processes, policies, and procedures
  • Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations..
  • Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication collaboration across academic and student affairs.
  • Implemented innovative solutions to solve complex problems, resulting in increased enrollment and retention.
  • Facilitated cross-functional collaboration for improved decision-making processes within the organization.
  • Strengthened internal controls by reviewing and standardizing existing policies and procedures.
  • Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources.

Harold Washington College

Associate Dean -Center of Excellence
08.2021 - 01.2024

Job overview

  • Provided strategic leadership to all aspects of operations and strategic planning for the Center of Excellence in Business - Workforce Development.
  • Developed, managed, and maintained external relationships with community partners.
  • Managed of $2.1 million dollars grants to enhance programs and workforce development options
  • Served on the President's Cabinet, Enrollment Management Council, and Assessment Committee.
  • Promoted interdisciplinary collaboration between departments to create new courses and programs.
  • Established partnerships with local employers to increase job placement rates among graduates in relevant industries.
  • Coordinated professional development opportunities for faculty to enhance their pedagogical expertise and stay current on emerging trends in higher education.
  • Developed a comprehensive assessment plan to measure student learning outcomes across all programs within the department.
  • Streamlined administrative processes for increased efficiency in course scheduling, student advising, and budget management.
  • Contributed to strategic planning initiatives that aligned with institutional goals while addressing the unique needs and aspirations of the department.

Roosevelt University

Associate Director of Graduate Admissions
05.2019 - 08.2021

Job overview

  • Member of the Enrollment Management Leadership Team. Provided leadership and manage day-to-day operations of graduate recruitment for all colleges within the university.
  • Developed and managed reports and data analysis to determining effectiveness of recruitment strategies and enrollment
  • Developed and implemented graduate recruitment and admissions strategies across the entire university for all graduate programs.
  • Manage the planning and implementation of Graduate Admitted Student Orientation, Virtual Program Information Sessions, training, and development of staff
  • Develop and proactively work to implement enrollment goals for each college, as well as develop strategies and initiatives required to meet each goal
  • Develop university wide recruitment and communication plans and assign recruitment territories
  • Develop and implement strategies for building the funnel at each stage including increasing inquiries, applicants, and admits
  • Collaborated with marketing to produce basic/branded university materials and website updates.
  • Collaborate with other functional areas especially Deans, Program Directors, Chairs (academic advising, financial aid, administration, marketing, alumni relations) to develop integrated approaches to attracting and retaining students
  • Establish standards, effective processes, procedures and best enrollment management practices
  • Led teams of up to 6 personnel, supervising daily performance as well as training and improvement plans.
  • Leveraged data and analytics to make informed decisions and drive business improvements.

Roosevelt University

Assistant Dean – Heller College of Business
07.2018 - 07.2019

Job overview

  • As an Assistant Dean, served on the Dean's Cabinet, Dean's Council, Faculty Senate
  • Managed and direct oversight of Graduate Enrollment Management, Graduate Academic Advising, Graduate Assistants (12) and unionized clerical staff (4), marketing, scholarships and programming for Heller College of Business
  • Developed and implemented strategic enrollment management plan to meet enrollment goals.
  • Managed all academic advising and retention efforts.
  • Implement retention efforts for all continuing students and manage the process of graduation audits for all graduate students
  • Oversight of the budget, scholarships, and financial aid for Heller College of Business in conjunction with the Dean
  • Managed all summer programs, institutes and mentor programs for high school and continuing students
  • Worked collaboratively with department chairs to prepare a master class schedule
  • Managed accreditation review, course evaluations, assisted with program reviews.

Harris Stowe State University

Director of Student Success/Academic Advising
07.2016 - 07.2018

Job overview

  • Provided vision and leadership for the Office of Academic Success for over 1400 students, resulting in increased enrollment, retention and graduation rates.
  • Development, and implemented a holistic Student Success Coach advising model which increased retention.
  • Oversee development and implementation of campus-wide Academic Advising and FERPA Training for faculty and staff
  • Developed and implemented the university's Early Alert System with a strategic retention and success plan,
  • Managed advising loads for Student Success Coaches, Faculty Advisors, and Faculty Mentor Advisors
  • Consulted with outside agencies for the enhancement of advising and retention services, including admissions, financial aid, counseling, housing, ADA services and the Bursar Office
  • Developed, implemented and management of the Degree Audit System for the University and oversee the University's graduation audit process
  • Management of student registration and coordinate roles of Admissions, Student Retention, Bursar, Financial Aid, Housing, in addition to academic support offices within the process
  • Spearheaded professional development opportunities for staff and faculty, resulting in a increased performance in supporting student success goals.
  • Enhanced student retention rates through the development of comprehensive support services and academic interventions.

Chamberlain College of Nursing

Student Services Advisor III, II, I
06.2010 - 07.2016

Job overview

  • Einstitutional and strategic goals
  • Identified and implemented best practices in advising, registration, and financial aid, demonstrating excellent leadership skills
  • Address specific student needs while recommending and tailoring student support services and tactics, developing thorough and highly efficient evaluation mechanisms to identify shortcomings in academic, extracurricular, and school-wide settings, while implementing informed solutions to overcome these obstacles
  • Implemented constant and continuous student review and improvement measures to support educational success, leveraging student relationships with existing university resources to support student achievement
  • Implement daily intervention strategies to promote behavior modification and educational development
  • Manage and direct the oversight of all degree plans (DegreeWorks), transcripts, and graduation audits, while tracking and monitoring the progress of an extensive amount of interdisciplinary students
  • Foster’s student relations and increase student retention through effective and supportive guidance
  • Exceed department-level goals in student success, retention, satisfaction, and graduation, through the effective implementation and adherence to Chamberlain Care goals and overarching institutional expectations
  • Analyze student-specific data to identify student barriers to learning, areas for improvement, and university shortcomings, while consulting with identified high-needs students to draft plans for continued college enrollment and success
  • Cultivate a holistic and positive learning environment through outreach and negotiation with administration and faculty
  • Meet with students for pre-enrollment consultations and financial counseling, while marketing college-specific resources
  • Coordinate, facilitate, and implement registration sessions, orientations, open houses, and financial literacy workshops, mentoring and retaining extensive university-specific information to student, parents, and their families
  • Implement FERPA, NSLDS, Title IV regulations, and Federal and State regulations during consultation and evaluation of financial aid requirements, demonstrating expert-level competencies in navigating financial aid concerns
  • Conduct continuous research to stay abreast of federal, state, private and institutional sources of funds to meet the cost of educational goals, while advising students and families on ways to obtain and secure resources that enable account resolution
  • Certify and approve Direct PLUS and private student loans, while overseeing the management of all student aid services
  • Utilize data systems such as Cognos and Salesforce to compile and produce reports, while developing and implementing highly efficient documentation processes to track transactions and analyze relevant data

Southern Illinois University

Counselor - Upward Bound Math & Science
05.2008 - 06.2010

Job overview

  • Spearheaded the management and provision of academic, financial, and career counseling to Upward Bound Math & Science Program (UBMS) students, while overseeing all aspects of student recruitment, admissions, and retention
  • Championed the coaching and training of students on study skills, college admission, financial aid, and related items, while educating students and families on admission requirements, tips for standing out, and the financial aid application process
  • Organized and compiled data in the Blumen database, managing all tasks related to reporting, scheduling, and filing
  • Implemented strategic planning initiatives to develop partnerships and relationships with key organizations and academic units, while also establishing and streamlining effective student outreach and empowerment strategies
  • Conducted orientations, pre-enrollment and post-offer visits, annual visits, educational field trips and in-school presentations, demonstrating excellent knowledge of university-specific programs and services and an ability to market these services
  • Managed tutors and related academic support services, directing the allocation of these resources to UBMS students in need

Southern Illinois University

Academic Advisor – SOAR Program
01.2008 - 05.2008

Job overview

  • Counseled and advised SOAR students on academic, financial, and career-specific inquiries, consulting on specific degree plans, majors, course selections, registration, and course adding and dropping
  • Evaluated credit transfers and declarations of majors, ensuring the receipt and filing of all necessary documentation

Education

Northern Illinois University

Doctorate Leadership from Higher Education
05-2026

University of Nebraska

Master of Science from Counseling - Student Affairs Higher Ed
01.2006

Pittsburg State University

Bachelor of Arts from Psychology
01.1998

Skills

  • Data-Driven
  • Thought-Leadership
  • Fiscal, budget and grant management
  • Strategic planning
  • Relationship building
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Decision-making

Timeline

Director of Academic Advising and Student Support

Chicago State University
01.2023 - Current

Associate Dean -Center of Excellence

Harold Washington College
08.2021 - 01.2024

Associate Director of Graduate Admissions

Roosevelt University
05.2019 - 08.2021

Assistant Dean – Heller College of Business

Roosevelt University
07.2018 - 07.2019

Director of Student Success/Academic Advising

Harris Stowe State University
07.2016 - 07.2018

Student Services Advisor III, II, I

Chamberlain College of Nursing
06.2010 - 07.2016

Counselor - Upward Bound Math & Science

Southern Illinois University
05.2008 - 06.2010

Academic Advisor – SOAR Program

Southern Illinois University
01.2008 - 05.2008

University of Nebraska

Master of Science from Counseling - Student Affairs Higher Ed

Pittsburg State University

Bachelor of Arts from Psychology

Northern Illinois University

Doctorate Leadership from Higher Education
Marion D, Berry, M.S.