February 07, 2007

SIUC hires Carroll for Chicago development efforts

by Greg Scott

mary carroll

Mary Carroll

CARBONDALE, Ill. — A professional with extensive experience in government and not-for-profit organizations has been hired to increase fundraising efforts for Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the Chicago region.

Mary Carroll, a Chicago native, assumed the role of associate director of institutional advancement/Chicago region on Jan. 16. She will organize and administer strategies to enhance SIUC's development efforts in Chicago. Carroll will assist the University's current goal to secure more than $100 million during its first comprehensive capital campaign, "Opportunity Through Excellence," which seeks to raise funds supporting the people, places, and programs at SIUC.

"I am grateful for the first-class education Southern provided me. It is a true honor to serve my alma mater in this capacity," Carroll said. "SIUC no longer receives the same level of financial support from the federal and state government as it did in the past. Therefore, raising private funding from our alumni, friends, and corporations is essential to offering young people a top-quality education at this institution.

"I look forward to reaching out and working with our many alumni and friends in the Chicago area to enhance support of SIUC."

The 1985 SIUC graduate has played an integral role in establishing and enhancing programs for various organizations. Carroll joined Jobs for Youth Chicago in 1991 as the training coordinator, where she worked with young people seeking access to employment in Chicago. In that position she trained volunteers from the business community and developed the curriculum for a career planning and placement program.

In 2000, Carroll consulted on the development and start-up of i.c.stars, a high-tech training and placement program for Chicago young people, while heading a consulting firm for nonprofit organizations, MC-Squared. Carroll then served as executive administrator for the American Dental Hygienist Association's foundation, Institute for Oral Health, from 2001 to 2004.

Carroll returns to her alma mater after serving as a regional outreach representative at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. She joined DCEO in 2004, where she served as a liaison to the Northern Cook County Workforce Investment Board. In addition to her degree from SIUC, Carroll attained a master's degree in 2000 from Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Jeff Lorber, associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement at SIUC, said Carroll's knowledge and experience will be an asset to the University.

"I am excited to have Mary join our growing development team at SIU Carbondale," Lorber says. "Her demonstrated knowledge of and enthusiasm for her alma mater as well as her prior career experience in Chicago will serve her well in helping the campus maintain and build meaningful relationships in the greater Chicago area.

"Mary is extremely loyal and committed to her alma mater. We look forward to working with Mary as she represents our case for private gift support."