Michelle M. Searer has been appointed vice president of programs for the South Shore Leadership Center (SSLC) effective June 1. Searer comes to SSLC with more than 20 years of combined corporate, higher education, and non-profit experience. Prior to joining the SSLC, Searer served as vice president for enrollment management and marketing at Malone University in Canton, Ohio, associate vice president for enrollment at College of DuPage (Glen Ellyn, Ill), director of marketing and communications at Indiana University Northwest (Gary, Ind.), and marketing manager for Kaplan University/Dearborn Publishing (Chicago, Ill).
As the SSLC’s strategic and operational leader for programs, Searer will oversee administration and development of all programs including Leadership Northwest Indiana (LNI) and South Shore Leadership Youth for Community Engagement (SLYCE).
"It is truly an honor to serve in this new role and I look forward to further enhancing the current program offerings along with developing new programs and academic partnerships to nurture and enhance the leadership talent pool of current and future leaders in the region.”
Searer is in dissertation phase to complete her Ph.D. in leadership from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minn. She holds a post master's certificate (PMC) in enrollment management from Capella University in partnership with Noel-Levitz, Inc., and both a master of business administration (M.B.A.) degree and a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Indiana University Northwest in Gary, Ind. Her areas of research interest include the retention of under-prepared and under-represented student populations and effective leadership strategies among university and college presidents.
An alumna of LNI20 and an active community member, Searer has served in volunteer and board positions with America's Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Indiana; Lakeshore Public Television; Indiana University Alumni Association; Quality of Life Council Cultural Connections; United Way, Kankakee Valley Pop Warner; as well as area Chambers of Commerce in Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland area. Searer lives in DeMotte with her husband Jim and two children Emily (15) and Lukas (7).