Rachel Seidner, MLIS
Grant Writer & Manager
Mundelein,IL
Summary
Dynamic grant writer and information management specialist with over five years of experience driving successful funding initiatives in academic and nonprofit settings. Skilled in every stage of the grant proposal process-from research and data analysis to writing, submission, and post-award reporting. Recognized for securing funding through persuasive storytelling, meticulous attention to detail, and a deep understanding of donor priorities. Adept at building strong relationships with donors, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams. Highly organized and knowledgeable in policy writing, digital compliance, and project coordination, with a passion for advancing community and educational programs through strategic resource development.
Overview
7
7
years of post-secondary education
5
5
Certificates
3
3
Languages
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Librarian Specialist
McHenry County College
Crystal Lake, Illinois
08.2024 - Current
- Design and implement engaging library programs to increase student participation and resource utilization
- Part of Library Team that conducted 180+ information literacy courses, improving students' research skills and academic performance
- Wrote successful grant proposal, securing funding for library program initiatives: Received grant award of $1,000+
- Developing strong relationships within the MCC community and McHenry County through outreach efforts
- Research support and information literacy instruction
- Reference services and circulation support
- Archival work, including the creation of 3 displays each month and digital preservation
- Community outreach and engagement
Library Services Assistant
College of Lake County - Southlake Campus
Vernon Hills, Illinois
01.2022 - Current
- Assisted with cataloging, shelving, holds, and inter-library loans using ILL/OCLC services
- Managed library displays, creating engaging showcases to increase patron interest
- Led initiatives to boost material usage through resource tours and interactive displays
- Developed innovative features like 'Word of the Week Balderdash' to encourage dictionary use
- Implemented 'Idiom of the Week' in the ELL section to enhance language learning
- Provided excellent customer service to CLC students and staff
- Coordinated distribution of 400 laptops, hotspots, and 2,000 calculators across campuses
Grant Writer
Various Organizations
Mundelein, Illinois
01.2020 - Current
- Received grant award of $1,000+ in support of the MCC library's Bridging the Gap program.
- Secured a $2,000 project grant to support the MCHS library's oral history program.
- Experienced fundraiser: Led successful Giving Tuesday campaign for MCHS oral history project, raising over $7,000
- Contributed to a positive organizational culture by promoting open communication, teamwork, and shared success in fundraising efforts.
- Improved grant management efficiency by implementing a tracking system for submission deadlines, reporting requirements, and award amounts.
- Streamlined grant submission processes, implementing tracking system for deadlines and requirements, ensuring timely and complete applications.
- Interacted with internal partners and obtained detailed information about organization's mission and goals to form solid foundation for grant applications.
- Mentored new grant writers at non-competing organizations to promote elevated industry knowledge and submission of high-quality grant applications.
Research Librarian
McHenry County Historical Society & Museum
Union, IL
05.2023 - 07.2024
- Managed research requests, improving processing efficiency by 50.7% in 9 months
- Supervised digitization projects, enhancing resource accessibility and preservation
- Led successful Giving Tuesday campaign, raising over $7,000; established oral history project
- Drove collection development through inventory management, weeding, and donation assessment
- Developed and implemented Research Center policies, including digitization and pricing guidelines
- Secured funding through grant writing for research, digitization, and community engagement initiatives
- Increased awareness and community involvement via social media marketing through blog and Facebook posts (i.e. Research Adventures).
Education
Post-Graduate Certificate - Advanced Grant Writing And Grant Management
DePaul University
Chicago, IL 04.2025 - Current
Post-Graduate Certificate - Grant Writing
DePaul University
Chicago 06.2024 - 09.2024
Master of Science - Library and Information Science
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL 08.2018 - 12.2020
Bachelor of Arts - Cultural Anthropology, Politics and Government
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 06.2013 - 05.2017
Skills
Strong research skills
Certification
Adult Mental Health First Aid, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, 10/2024, 10/2027
Timeline
Advanced Grant Writing & Grant Management Certificate, DePaul University
06-2025
Post-Graduate Certificate - Advanced Grant Writing And Grant Management
DePaul University
04.2025 - Current
Adult Mental Health First Aid, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, 10/2024, 10/2027
10-2024
Grant Writing Certificate, DePaul University, 09/2024
09-2024
Librarian Specialist
McHenry County College
08.2024 - Current
Post-Graduate Certificate - Grant Writing
DePaul University
06.2024 - 09.2024
How to Research & Write Using Generative AI Tools, LinkedIn Learning, 08/2023
08-2023
Research Librarian
McHenry County Historical Society & Museum
05.2023 - 07.2024
Paraprofessional Educator Endorsement, ELS(PARA), Illinois State Board of Education, 06/2022, 06/2027
06-2022
Library Services Assistant
College of Lake County - Southlake Campus
01.2022 - Current
Grant Writer
Various Organizations
01.2020 - Current
Master of Science - Library and Information Science
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
08.2018 - 12.2020
Bachelor of Arts - Cultural Anthropology, Politics and Government
University of Arizona
06.2013 - 05.2017
Languages
English
Spanish
German
Accomplishments
- Integrated CRM use, file naming conventions, and data tracking into MCHS library to enhance services.
- Created various forms of promotional materials for library and event services and programs using Canva.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimePart TimeWork Location
On-SiteRemoteHybridImportant To Me
Work-life balanceCompany CultureFlexible work hoursPaid time offHealthcare benefits401k matchGrants
- Illinois State Archives (ISHRAB), Historical Records Grant, 04/2024
- McHenry County College Community Foundation Grant, 11/2024
Affiliations
- American Library Association
- Illinois Library Association
Committees
- Collaborative Programming Committee, 08/2024, Present
- Community College Archive Committee, 09/2024
Software
Microsoft Office 365
Google Suite
Canva
Adobe
Interests
Reading
Travel
Outdoor Recreation
Animal Rescue & Fostering
Mental Health
Information Literacy
Quote
I write to understand as much as to be understood.
Elie Wiesel
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