Rhonda I. Elmore
Austell,GA
Summary
Experienced Director of Scholarships with a strong background in strategic planning, scholarship program development, and financial aid administration. Increased scholarship accessibility and award impact through innovative program design and effective collaboration with internal teams, donors, and community partners. Skilled in data-driven decision-making, ensuring compliance with scholarship regulations, and managing multi-million-dollar scholarship portfolios to align with institutional goals. Adept at leading cross-functional teams and building relationships with stakeholders to enhance student success by providing equitable access to funding opportunities. Passionate about empowering diverse student populations through tailored scholarship resources and support.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Donor Relations, Scholarships and Endowment Administration
Morehouse College
01.2021 - Current
- Manage relationships with cross-functional partnerships in Admissions, Business and Finance, and Student Financial Services, Athletics, and academic departments whereby setting standards for dissemination and accountability of donor funds
- Organize and participate in Morehouse Scholarship and Endowment Committee(s) meetings
- Ensure that all named funds are administered according to donor intent, program guidelines, and processes
- Help develop and administer policies related to gift stewardship
- Work directly with cross-functional teams of faculty/staff to ensure the nomination of eligible scholars meet donor intent and established criteria
- Implement the annual application and selection processes including program design, advertising, recruitment, eligibility review, and customer service with students, families, and faculty/staff
- Oversee and manage Advancement endowment and scholarship donor reporting needs
- Coordinate events between donor and student scholars
Customer Relations Manager
Illinois Central College
07.2019 - 12.2020
- Managed all business processes within the Enrollment Services division including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application process, missing information letter process, financial aid verification process, financial aid awarding process, and student records management process
- Developed and monitored standards of service for phone call and email response times and staff appropriately based on departmental workload
- Monitored and evaluated staff performance based on established standards of performance
- Developed and maintained staff training and procedure manuals and trained staff on procedures and regulatory requirements
- Investigated and appropriately resolved student and parent concerns and complaints
- Advised students and parents on enrollment, student accounting, and financial aid-related issues
- Participated in financial aid outreach initiatives by attending evening and weekend events outside of normal business hours
Coordinator of Student Life
Illinois Central College
09.2013 - 07.2019
- Assisted the Manager of Life in the day-to-day operations of the department
- Served as primary advisor for the Campus Activities Board, including budget oversight and program management
- Developed and maintained a strong partnership with the residential property management staff as well as key departments across campus
- Developed and facilitated training each semester for student leaders and resident assistants on effective program planning and marketing, community development, risk management, and College resources
- Created a student and advisor handbook for clubs and organizations
- Member of the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Committee
- Directed student programming and assessed learning outcomes around leadership as well as residential education
- Designed programming initiatives to improve student engagement and development
Admissions Counselor
Lincoln College
09.2010 - 09.2013
- Represented the college to prospective students, parents, secondary school counselors and other individuals or organizations involved in the college selection process during Campus Visit Days, high school college fairs, transfer fairs, and other events
- Planned and implemented recruitment activities for assigned high schools, community colleges, and other agencies within assigned territories
- Counseled prospective applicants on the admissions process as well as educational and FAFSA application process
- Provided one-on-one admissions counseling to diverse populations
- Utilized multiple out-reach strategies including in-person appointments, open houses, phone calls, text messages, social media, and emails
- Reviewed and scored application essays and other materials submitted by applicants for the purposes of making admission decisions
Administrative Assistant/Accounts Payable Clerk
Winpak Heat Seal Corporation
08.2009 - 09.2010
- Processed invoices for payment to vendors by checking invoices for accuracy, resolving discrepancies, and entering data into system
- Processed checks; reviewed and mailed checks to each vendor
- Processed payment information for 1099s
- Answered phone, mail, and walk-in inquiries; researched questions; provided information
- Analyzed/reviewed vendors' statements for accuracy and checked credit balances; requested cash refunds on credit balances; distributed/mailed checks; opened mail; worked on special projects as needed
Convention Services Coordinator
Peoria Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
08.2008 - 08.2009
- Met on-site with convention meeting planners and provided convention services for events
- Managed sales and services for groups of 150 rooms or less
- Managed the simpleview computer program, a web-based tool for tourism organizations to manage sales and market to leisure travelers, and developed weekly and monthly reports for the Convention Sales Team
- Provided housing arrangements for groups and supervised hosts for groups
- Assisted in developing and maintaining a positive image of the Convention and Visitors Bureau
Sales Booking Coordinator
Peoria Civic Center
09.2007 - 08.2008
- Represented the Peoria Civic Center while selling the facilities to clients
- Assisted the Director of Convention Sales to achieve established business sales goals
- Contracted client events and worked closely with the Event Services and Operations Departments to be sure all client needs were understood
- Maintained all meeting and convention files and gave tours of the facility to potential clients and other interested parties
- Provided support as part of the team with the Peoria Convention and Visitors Bureau and local hotels to bring business into Peoria
- Researched potential clients
Director of Education
Planned Parenthood of Illinois
09.2007 - 08.2008
- Developed, coordinated, and monitored the planning, implementation, outreach administration, and evaluation of all reproductive health/sexuality community education and youth development services and programs in accordance with affiliate strategic plan
- Wrote grant applications and monitored grant fund availability
- Participated in public affairs events and fundraising projects
- Hired, orientated, trained, supervised, and evaluated Education and Community Affairs staff
Volunteer Coordinator/Special Projects Health Educator
Planned Parenthood of Illinois
05.2006 - 09.2006
- Implemented a comprehensive volunteer program, including recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers as well as the Board of Directors, for the entire agency
- Trained staff to work effectively with volunteers
- Presented information about human sexuality, reproductive health care and related issues through community outreach and education to youth, parents/adults, as well as other professionals in a variety of settings
- Maintained precise records and assisted with needs assessment and evaluation of all activities
Family and Community Development Specialist
PCCEO, Inc. Early Head Start
09.2003 - 05.2006
- Provided assessment, education, referral services and assisted Early Head Start families to achieve self-sufficiency
- Provided educational plans and activities with the family, provided ongoing education guidance/counseling as appropriate to all families, and facilitated referrals to other community agencies and/or specific treatment facilities in response to families' needs, such as housing, health care, etc
- Through agency contact and scheduling
- Conducted weekly home/personal visits, encouraged, and involved parents as volunteers in Early Head Start activities
Staffing Specialist
Manpower, Inc.
07.2003 - 09.2003
- Recruited, interviewed, conducted pre-employment screening, testing, and reference checking of applicants for temporary/longterm job assignments
- Conducted employer specific orientations of job applicants
Teen REACH Coordinator
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Peoria, Inc.
06.2002 - 04.2003
- Planned, implemented, supervised, and evaluated all activities provided within the Teen REACH grant
- Promoted and stimulated program participation, registered new members, participated in their club orientation process, and created monthly newsletters
- Facilitated collaborations with community organizations, managed budgets, and oversaw program expenditures, grant reporting and fulfillment
- Managed a budget over $70,000
Assistant Director of Student Activities
Saint Mary's College
06.1998 - 06.2002
- Planned and implemented educational and social events for the student body to encourage student engagement with the college and provide leadership opportunities outside of the classroom
- Managed the student activities programming calendar to allow for a variety of events that entertained, educated, and developed the student body
- Advised the Student Activities Board and oversaw related business functions which included reviewing entertainment contracts, and communicating with technical staff to ensure that sound, stage, and lighting set-up met contract rider requirements, and facilitated contract payment as determined by college accounting policies
- Provided student organization support in the areas of program development, budget management, leadership training, policies, procedures, and public relations
- Hired, trained, and supervised student managers who provided customer service to constituents at Haggar Student Center
- Participated in interviews and hiring processes
- Developed and presented various training topics for student organizations, students, and staff
- Created and developed student handbook for student organizations and organization advisors
- Served on the strategic planning student development committee
- Coordinated various aspects of orientation including the counselor program, social programming, and overseeing the technical and set-up requirements
- Managed student activities budget totaling $80,000
- Created new and managed existing comprehensive services for off-campus and commuter students
- Worked collaboratively with campus departments on programs and services designed to promote student involvement and success
Resident Director/Coordinator of Multicultural Affairs and Student Activities
Blackburn College
07.1997 - 06.1998
- Oversaw the daily operation of a traditional residence hall serving 104 students
- Participated in crisis response duty rotation for Residential Life department serving over five hundred (500) students
- Oversaw physical facility and worked with building services staff, crafts, and trades staff to maintain facility
- Managed room assignments and room changes
- Served as the coordinator for the State of Illinois Higher Education Cooperative Act (HECA) Grant totaling $50,000 to provide cultural programs for students and staff, diversity training, funding for conferences, and the development of a tutoring program with Blackburn students and elementary students in the community
- Taught a Freshman Seminar course
- Supervised three resident assistants and provided ongoing training in the areas of programming, needs assessment, and policies and procedures
- Coordinated an off-campus overnight orientation program for new students
- Assisted students of color on issues of socialization, identity, and cultural awareness
- Developed and managed budgets totaling $70,000
Assistant Director, Student Life
Illinois State University
08.1995 - 07.1997
- Chaired the Multi-Ethnic Cultural and Co-Curricular Programming Advisory Committee (MECCPAC) which reviewed applications and provided matching co-sponsorship funds for cultural, educational, and multi-ethnic programs that helped build awareness and appreciation within the Illinois State community
- Created a monthly cultural calendar that listed a variety of events on campus
- Increased community outreach by inviting others to join our committees and getting involved with their philanthropies
- Assisted in the creation and implementation of student leadership development workshops for student leaders and organizations
- Recruited student volunteers to host high school students for the First Look Pre-College program
- Assisted registered student organizations (RSOs) with registration and training programs, including annual club renewal processes, member recruitment efforts, and dissemination of information regarding club privileges, responsibilities, and related University policies
- Advised the Ethnic Fee Board on applicable student activity fee guidelines and budget review of over $100,000
- Evaluated programming initiatives of the University
- Managed a budget of approximately $60,000 for cultural programs on campus
Education
Bachelor of Science - Public Relations
Illinois State University
Normal, IL05.1992
Skills
- Financial Aid processes
- Budget Management
- Excellent communication skills
- Capital campaigns
- Endowment management
- Board relations
- Attention to detail
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Interpersonal skills
Organization and time management skills
Volunteer Experience
- National Association for Campus Activities Mid-America (NACA) Regional Conference Volunteer Coordinator, 2019
- National Association for Campus Activities Mid-America (NACA) Regional Conference volunteer, 2018
- National Association for Campus Activities Mid-America (NACA) Regional Conference volunteer, 2016
- National Association for Campus Activities Mid-America (NACA) Regional Conference volunteer, 2015
- National Association for Campus Activities Mid-America (NACA) Regional Conference volunteer, 2014
- National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) National Convention Showcase Selection Committee member, Fall 2017
- National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) Regional Conference Showcase Selection Committee member, Summer 2016
- Association for Orientation, Transition, and Retention in Higher Education (NODA) Region V Registration Co-Chair, 2016
Timeline
Director of Donor Relations, Scholarships and Endowment Administration
Morehouse College
01.2021 - Current
Customer Relations Manager
Illinois Central College
07.2019 - 12.2020
Coordinator of Student Life
Illinois Central College
09.2013 - 07.2019
Admissions Counselor
Lincoln College
09.2010 - 09.2013
Administrative Assistant/Accounts Payable Clerk
Winpak Heat Seal Corporation
08.2009 - 09.2010
Convention Services Coordinator
Peoria Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
08.2008 - 08.2009
Sales Booking Coordinator
Peoria Civic Center
09.2007 - 08.2008
Director of Education
Planned Parenthood of Illinois
09.2007 - 08.2008
Volunteer Coordinator/Special Projects Health Educator
Planned Parenthood of Illinois
05.2006 - 09.2006
Family and Community Development Specialist
PCCEO, Inc. Early Head Start
09.2003 - 05.2006
Staffing Specialist
Manpower, Inc.
07.2003 - 09.2003
Teen REACH Coordinator
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Peoria, Inc.
06.2002 - 04.2003
Assistant Director of Student Activities
Saint Mary's College
06.1998 - 06.2002
Resident Director/Coordinator of Multicultural Affairs and Student Activities
Blackburn College
07.1997 - 06.1998
Assistant Director, Student Life
Illinois State University
08.1995 - 07.1997
Bachelor of Science - Public Relations
Illinois State University
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