Manager Management

Kathleen Poll

*** ***** *** ****** (***)

***-****

Elmhurst, IL 60126

*************@*****.***

Profile

Results-oriented higher education / business leader with experience in

strategic planning, solving complex problems, managing large-scale projects

and implementing change. Proven ability to lead and work collaboratively

with diverse teams to meet or exceed organizational vision, mission and

goals.

Professional Experience

Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL

2013-Present

Director, Professional and Online Learning

Provide leadership and centralized support for the development,

administration, marketing and delivery of professional/online learning at

Loyola University Chicago.

The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

2007-2013

Director of Administration for Academic Outreach (World Campus-Online and

Continuing Education).

Provide leadership and project management for key

initiatives of Academic Outreach Associate Vice President (Penn State World

Campus and Continuing Education).

Selected Accomplishments:

. Developed and implemented a new enrollment management process that

grew enrollments from 4,000 to 50,000 in five years.

. Team project leader for the evaluation of a new learning management

system (LMS).

. Expanded and implemented new adult learner student services including

student coaching, career counseling and financial aid services.

South Hills School of Business & Technology, State College, PA

2005-2007

Director of Education.

Responsible

for the day-to-day management and support of over 80 faculty members at

four campuses.

Selected Accomplishments:

. Created and implemented the school's first student retention program

leading to greatly improved student engagement and retention.

. Initiated, developed and administered the school's first student

satisfaction survey leading to improvements in curricula and student

services.

. Led the development and successful implementation of a two new

programs, Graphic Arts and Criminal Justice, resulting in new student

enrollments.

Optical Image Technology, State College, PA

2004-2005 Marketing

Research Associate.

Researched and developed marketing plans for four key vertical markets in a

newly-formed marketing department.

University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC

1997-2003

Adjunct Faculty Member.

Taught

and advised undergraduate students in the Belk College of Business

Administration. Developed and delivered Marketing Concepts and Marketing

Strategy courses.

Discovery Toys, Okemos, MI

1993-1997

Educational Consultant / Group Manager.

Started and

managed a for-profit educational products business with over 500 customers.

Recruited, trained and developed 32 Educational Consultants.

LaSalle Partners, Chicago, IL

1991-1992

Management Associate.

Managed day-to-day operations and strategic planning for major commercial

properties in Chicago's loop. Successfully completed Realtor training and

obtained Realtor license in first month.

Towers Perrin, Chicago, IL

1987-1991

Management Consultant.

Directed consulting projects focused on strategic planning, executive

compensation, salary management and market research.

General Electric Corporation

1981-1985

Senior Financial Analyst/ Manager, Stamford, CT

Provided financial support to the Information Systems Operations.

Prepared long-range forecasts, annual operating budgets and monthly expense

analysis. .

Financial Management Program, Valley Forge, PA

Successfully completed a three-year, financial management training program

consisting of six assignments in accounting and finance and five graduate-

level courses in financial and managerial accounting, auditing and

information systems.

Education

Sloan-C Institute Online Leadership/Teaching Certificate Program 2014

Specialization: Leadership in Online Financial Management/Revenue,

Online Retention Challenges/Solutions,

Online Faculty Development Strategies

The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

2012

M.Ed., Higher Education Administration

Master's Thesis: Online, Adult Distance Learner Retention

Coursework for D.Ed., Higher Education Administration, 40 credits

The University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC

M.A.T., Master of Arts in Teaching

Patterson Memorial Scholarship Award for outstanding research

The University of Chicago, Booth School of Business, Chicago, IL

M.B.A., Finance and Marketing

Business School Scholarship Award

General Electric Corporation, Valley Forge, PA

F.M.P., Three Year Financial Management Training Program

The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

B.A., Sociology with Minor in Business Administration

Graduated with Distinction

Selected Professional/Community Involvement

. 2011 Academic Outreach Annual Award winner for Excellent Teamwork and

Collaboration.

. 2010, 2011, and 2012 Academic Outreach On-the-Spot Award winner.

. Certificate, Adult Learners in Higher Education and Higher Education

Institutional Research

. Completed the Pennsylvania Private School Association (PSA) training

program consisting of four private school management courses.

. Board Member, The Pennsylvania State University Commission for Women's

Mentoring Program.

. Advisory Board Member, The Pennsylvania State University Alumni Career

Services.

. Coach, Lecturer and Facilitator, The Pennsylvania State University Human

Resources Development Center (HRDC).

Kathleen Poll

220 North Oak Street 814-***-****

Elmhurst, IL 60126

*************@*****.***

Letters of Recommendation

1. Wayne Smutz, Ph.D.

Dean, Continuing Education and Extension

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

10995 Le Conte Avenue, Suite 700

Los Angeles, CA 90024

(Prior Associate Vice President and Executive Director for World

Campus,

The Pennsylvania State University)

Email: ******@*************.***

2. Diane Brown

Manager, Center for Workplace Learning and Performance

420 James M. Elliott Building

The Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA 16802

Email: *****@***.***

3. Joan Andrews

Advising/Student Retention

480 Waupelani Drive

South Hills School of Business & Technology

State College, PA 16801

Email: **********@*******.***

4. Pam Ferguson

Chair, English Department - Retired

South Hills School of Business & Technology

480 Waupelani Drive

State College, PA 16801

Email: ***********@*****.***

From: Wayne Smutz, Executive Director, World Campus and Associate Vice

President

for Academic Outreach, The Pennsylvania State University

To: Whom it May Concern

Subject: Reference for Kathleen Poll

Kathleen Poll has asked me to write a reference for her. I am very pleased

to do so.

Kathleen joined my organization, Academic Outreach, in October 2007, and

left in April 2013, when she and her husband moved to Chicago. Kathleen

served as my Director of Administration during her time with us. The unit

is a complex one housing three educational delivery units-World Campus

(online), Continuing Education (face-to-face), and the Video Learning

Network (blended)-and multiple support units---Student Services, Advising

and Learner Success, Learning Design, Faculty Development, Business and

Finance, and more. I brought Kathleen on board to help me manage this

organization. I selected Kathleen for the energy she brings to her work,

her enthusiasm for our educational mission, and her commitment to help make

us a better organization.

I found Kathleen to be an outstanding employee.

Perhaps her most important quality in terms of working for me is that I

could always count on her to get things done. She is incredibly persistent

in removing all obstacles in order to address an issue or problem. I never

had to prod her to find a solution or to deliver a solution in a timely

manner. Needless to say, she solved a lot of problems for me. In

addition, Kathleen has an amazing ability to keep track of details,

something that is not my strength. This was immensely helpful to me in my

leadership role.

Throughout Kathleen's service with Academic Outreach, I did not hesitate to

give her major responsibilities and expect her to handle them

independently. One example is that Kathleen managed the entire awards

process (internal to my unit and to Penn State) as well as the award

processes with external bodies such as professional associations. Awards

are incredibly important because of their linkage to employee engagement,

one of my key areas of focus when Kathleen was here. She routinely managed

to get award proposals or at least award ideas from directors and then

produce the proposals. During Kathleen's tenure, we won over a dozen

national and regional awards for our work. Much of this was due to

Kathleen's diligence in making sure we got high quality proposals

submitted.

Another example of Kathleen's impact is the Video Learning Network. Based

on an in depth study, I decided that Penn State should have a Video

Learning Network (VLN) distributed across Pennsylvania at our campus

locations. I had good rationale for this and I had the funding to do it.

What I needed was someone who could actually implement the whole system-an

amazingly complex technical, administrative, and logistical task. When I

asked Kathleen to take this job on, she agreed to do so even though she did

not have much relevant background. As with other things she did, she

embraced the problem and made the VLN happen. This past year, we had over

700 enrollments in the VLN with students taking courses at sixteen

different locations. This "can do" attitude is something that you can't

teach. Kathleen simply has it.

Besides having an amazing work ethic, Kathleen is a very bright and

insightful individual. She easily grasped the challenges I face and

understood deeply the strategic approaches I was using. Over time,

Kathleen began to contribute her own ideas to the strategies. She is not

someone who simply lets others do the thinking and then carry out the plan.

She both plans and acts.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the employee engagement work that

Kathleen assumed responsibility for. One cornerstone of this whole effort

was the annual gathering that Academic Outreach held each year. From the

very beginning, Kathleen assumed responsibility for organizing the event

and managing it for our 300+ staff. Each year she would come up with

innovative approaches to the event in order to keep it fresh and

interesting to staff. One year this included doing the whole annual report

in an online format for the first time. It was a real hit!

Needless to say, I think much of Kathleen and her abilities. She is

tireless in her work and her commitment. And, she doesn't let quality slip-

ever. That's a great combination that serves her well.

To: Whom it May Concern

Subject: Reference for Kathleen Poll

When I think of Kathleen Poll, I think of a hard worker, a quick learner,

and a focused individual who builds a rapport with people at all levels.

Kathleen is an intelligent and conscientious person. Her dedication for

excellence and self-motivated work style are indicative of the type of

individual who will excel in any endeavor. She always demonstrates the

highest standards of professionalism and integrity.

Kathleen and I first worked together at South Hills School of Business &

Technology. We collaborated on numerous projects, and she routinely took

the initiative to ask questions when needed, provide status reports, and

move the project forward in a productive and efficient manner. In

addition, as director of admissions, I regularly was asked to conduct

presentations to prospective students. When I was unavailable, Kathleen,

without hesitation, offered to take my place. I truly appreciated her

willingness to help and especially her realization that everyone at the

school was part of its success.

When Kathleen and I left South Hills School and started at Penn State, we

were still able to work on projects that involved scheduling professional

development for staff. Kathleen understood adult learning theory and was

able to articulate her expectations to ensure that learning outcomes would

be met. Kathleen also routinely stretched everyone's thinking by raising

expectations for all and by thinking outside the box for solutions!

I am confident that Kathleen's dedication to her work and her "can do"

attitude proves that she will be a real addition to your organization.

Sincerely,

Diane M. Brown

RE: Letter of Recommendation for Kathleen Poll

It is with great pleasure that I write this letter of recommendation for

Kathleen Poll. I have been the Advisory Program Coordinator at South Hills

School of Business & Technology in State College, Pennsylvania for twelve

years. In this position, I enjoyed working on many projects with Kathleen

while she was the Director of Education at South Hills. I look back at that

time in our careers with much satisfaction because of the knowledgeable,

inspirational and enthusiastic colleague that I was privileged to work with

for several years.

Along with her passion for creative and sound advancements in education,

Kathleen Poll brings strong leadership abilities to see projects through

from their formation to fruition. She is an excellent professional leader

because she brings a sensitivity and "heart" to any project that she is

associated with. I have observed her keen ability to work collaboratively

with various departments. Different opinions and ideas were always met

with fairness, and in the end, she demonstrated the natural ability to

summarize and set a vision for the mission-at-hand that was mutually agreed

upon by the team. Kathleen is a motivating factor in teamwork because she

is a good listener and communicator.

Mrs. Poll is also a good leader because she never loses sight of the real

needs of the client: the student. She not only brings sensitivity as a

mother of two college-aged sons, but she is aware of the need for

educational institutions to stay current with rapidly changing technology.

Kathleen is not afraid to tackle a project addressing the advanced means by

which education is now technologically communicated. Through past

experience, she understands the complexities of making learning

opportunities more widespread around the world. Her successful record of

administering continuing education was proven at Penn State University

through their award winning distance education program.

In closing, it is important to note that Kathleen Poll has been one of the

most dedicated individuals that I have ever worked with. She's learned to

be a wise manager of her time as she multi-tasked her way toward the

completion of an endless list of projects. She is dedicated to the field of

education, and she will, most certainly, be a loyal and committed leader

for the causes of higher education.

Kathleen's professional excellence coupled with her interpersonal skills

and love of the educational field, gives her a perfect blend to become an

innovative leader. Because she knows the value of making lives better

through education, Kathleen Poll is an excellent higher education

professional.

Sincerely,

Joan Andrews

South Hills School of Business & Technology

480 Waupelani Drive

State College, PA 16803

I heartily recommend Kathleen Poll for a position of academic leadership.

She is a tireless worker who was a great asset during her years here as the

Director of Education at the South Hills School of Business & Technology.

Because we are a relatively small school, Kathleen had a wide range of

responsibilities. One of her responsibilities was supervising instructors

and training new instructors. We often have new part-time instructors who

have no teaching experience, just expertise in their profession. Kathleen

would explain teaching strategies and classroom management strategies and

help with their transition to the school setting. She was always very clear

in her instructions.

During her years here, Kathleen helped establish a new program here at

South Hills, the Criminal Justice program, which is now our second largest

program. She handled the state approvals and the development of the

curriculum, working with the head of that program. Her attention to detail

helped ensure the approvals and the success of that program.

Another project that Kathleen supervised was the IEP (Institutional

Effectiveness Plan). The plan involved soliciting advice from employers

about strengths and deficiencies of our graduates as employees. Her work

with that committee showed her ability to respond creatively to challenges.

Our students often have problems with oral and written communication, and

the plan sought ways to improve those skills. I worked with Kathleen on

revisions to the English curriculum to meet those challenges.

Shortly after the shootings at Virginia Tech, we had a problem here with a

student who made "terrorist threats." Kathleen was the senior administrator

in the building at the time, and she handled the situation with aplomb.

Without hesitation, she called the police. Fortunately, the threats never

materialized because the authorities were called in promptly.

In 2006, Kathleen, as Director of Education, was one of the primary persons

responsible for our ACICS (Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and

Schools) site visit. She reviewed hundreds of syllabi and the entire

curriculum and ensured that everything complied with the requirements.

Kathleen made certain that faculty members corrected anything that did not

comply. Our ACICS visit that year was so good that ACICS gave us the

maximum, which is eight years' approval.

As part of an ACICS recommendation, she helped develop a PD119 (Personal

Development) course because of our increased attrition rates. We now

require the course of all first-year students. We believe that course has

been successful because we now have a lower attrition rate. The course

teaches study skills, time management concepts, money management, and more.

I was privileged to work with Kathleen while she was here at South Hills.

Her support for all of us as instructors was unwavering. Whenever I had a

problem student or a problem with the curriculum, Kathleen was the person I

could use as a sounding board. Her insights were helpful; her creative

solutions were abundant.

In my twenty years as an educator, both here at South Hills and at the

Orchard Road School in New Jersey, I have never seen anyone else who can

focus on all the endless details and maintain such a cheerful demeanor.

Kathleen's integrity, diligence, and creativity make her the successful

professional that she is today. I believe that you would be fortunate to

have her as part of your organization.

Sincerely,

Pamela Ferguson

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