Rebecca Buell's Portfolio

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You probably found this page because you are holding a copy of my one-sheet resume in your hands (or on your screen) right now. Thanks for stopping by for a visit. Scroll. Stay a while. Then reach out and let's continue the conversation of how I can join your team, working together for dynamic, strategic, meaningful results. .

PROFILE

Innovative Leadership Strategist inspiring others to action through relationship building, authentic connection, empathetic listening, coaching, engagement and service. Enthusiastic mission-driven professional seeking Executive role combining executive leadership, partnership development, project management, and strategic planning in service to building an impactful organization.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Executive Director (2018-2021)

Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities – St. Louis, Missouri Moved eclectic, grassroots organization into a space for strategic growth through streamlining resources, expanding reach, and partnership development. Implemented first DEI task force, increasing economic, cultural and geographic accessibility through expanding offerings. Rebranded organization under new vision, making it scalable and sustainable.

Accomplishments

> Took practices from six diverse programs and built structure to support national programming, bringing consistency across regions, sharing resources, providing alumni with more diverse pool of resources to deepen learning > Evaluated then-current strategic plan, moving from event-based single-engagement system to one of continuous engagement and growth, meeting enrollment goals in 2019 for the first time in the organization’s 10-year history > Developed and launched new brand, launching website, branding and identity as Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities, formerly Our Community Listens.

Work Samples

> Watch video sample of me sharing the rebrand story (click to go to YouTube) > View Strategic Plan I led developing and implementation, moving a grassroots effort to a scalable, sustainable partnership-driven organization.

Executive Director, School and Community Partnerships (2015 – 2018) Acting Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs (2015 – 2016)

St. Louis Community College – St. Louis, Missouri

Led college-wide development of K-12, transfer, and community partnerships with the goal of establishing and advancing a culture of high school completion and postsecondary matriculation in the 2.8 million resident metropolitan region.

Accomplishments

- Led Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Advancement teams' collaborative efforts in establishing three new early college initiatives, increasing partnerships and enrollment by more than 700 percent; secured $1M in funding to establish early college STEM Academy. - Serving as Acting Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, provided leadership over a Federal Department of Education audit, implementing solutions and data reporting strategies that saved College upward toward $17M in Financial Aid payback. - Led collaboration with marketing, outreach, and student life to streamline communication and recruitment, resulting in 1100% increase in high school student enrollment in 3 years. Served on team to help design, refine, and implement College’s strategic plan.

Work Samples

> Dual Credit Handbook developed under my leadership. > Program promotion video created for the cross-collaborative Enrollment Summit . > Missouri Community College Association conference presentation,

KCTCS System Director, Dual Credit and Transfer, System Office (2014-2015)

Kentucky Community and Technical College System -- Versailles, Kentucky

Directed the development, negotiation, and implementation of system-wide partnerships, agreements, and collaboration for academic pathways. Collaborated with secondary and four-year partners in the development and implementation of academic agreements and memoranda of understanding.

Accomplishments

- Published Commonwealth’s first monograph focused on postsecondary partnerships, outlining best practices and providing models of transfer success for public, private, and proprietary postsecondary institutions. (Click image to the left to read the monograph online.) - Planned, organized, and hosted statewide professional development events, including Kentucky Transfer Summit, bringing together public, private, and proprietary two- and four-year presidents, provosts, and professional staff to collaborate in building transfer pathways and programming. - Worked with lawmakers and oversight bodies in developing statewide policy and legislation surrounding dual credit, dual enrollment, and transfer; worked with System leadership to plan and facilitate advocacy days at the state capitol surrounding funding of higher education.

Work Sample

> Click here to view Kentucky Transfer Monograph, the culmination of a three-year statewide transformation I led in conjunction with the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education, successfully establishing a solid P-16 academic transfer pipeline and resulting in statewide transfer legislation.

KCTCS Assistant Dean, Special Projects, Henderson Community College (2005-2014)

Kentucky Community and Technical College System - Henderson, Kentucky

Led campus transformation self-studies and implementation activities. Hired as Advising Coach and leader of a $4.7m Federal Title III Grant, rose through the ranks through excellent results-driven performance to positions of Director of Counseling, and then Assistant Dean of Special Projects (Chief of Staff for President and Provost). Formulated and executed communications plan for college and College-to-System communication. Promoted from college to run statewide initiatives within KCTCS System.

Accomplishments

- Led two teams of 70+ volunteer faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners in award-winning self-study projects aimed at improving student transfer and first-year experience. Efforts resulted in projects winning mention with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as examples of excellence in undergraduate education out of 435 institutions. - Organized faculty and staff volunteers, creating success coach pilot project, serving 470 students per semester with individualized coaching, success workshops, and career guidance.

- Co-led statewide College and Career Readiness Taskforce, working with employers, community leaders, and educational professionals throughout the P-16 spectrum.

- Developed Summer Bridge program, recruiting faculty and staff volunteers, training them, measuring outcomes and then led efforts institutionalizing success coaching methods, resulting in increased application-to-enrollment rates and fall-to-fall retention.

Work Samples

> Click here for a copy of the Strategic Plan I developed to serve First Year students > Click here to read Collegewide Transfer Transformation strategic plan

Medical Director, Benevolence Director Cornerstone Assistance Network – Fort Worth, Texas (1997-2003)

Led church-based medical clinic in under-resourced neighborhood. Duties included grant writing for programmatic support, fundraising, public speaking, recruiting volunteers, and supervision of grant-paid workers. Offered case management, career counseling, and housing assistance services on non-clinic days through church outreach ministry at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church.

KEY ATTRIBUTES

Thought partner Dynamic Facilitator Critical conversation leader Confidential advisor Active, empathetic listener Research-based project designer Partnership builder External relationships expert Strategy developer Effective communicator Growth mindset-based leader Engaging presenter

Brainstorming dynamo

Adventurer, dreamer, and action-orientated doer Dynamic storyteller & Inspirational vision-caster

VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP & SERVICE

· Advisory Board Member, St. Louis Youth Jobs · Judge, What’s Right with the Region diversity award, FOCUS St. Louis · Strategic planning council, Clayton School District, Missouri · Strategic planning team member, Parkway School District, Missouri · Co-lead, Kentucky College and Career Readiness taskforce · Co-lead, Commonwealth P16 Council, Kentucky · Board Member, Mayor’s Youth Commission, Sioux City, Iowa · Project Lead, school development, Canaan International Outreach · Community worker, Water to Thrive, Uganda, East Africa

EDUCATION

36 post-graduate hours Organizational Leadership within Center for Global Studies (ABD) Johnson University Knoxville, Tennessee Master of Arts Community Outreach, Marriage & Family Therapy Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Fort Worth, Texas Bachelor of Science Journalism, Broadcast Communications Wayne State College Wayne, Nebraska

More information

Let's work together! If you'd like more information on my presentations, consulting practice, having me speak at your event, or joining your thriving team, send me a message. I'd' love to continue the conversation.