February 19, 2009

Rainbow’s End director finalists to visit campus

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Southern Illinois University Carbondale community can meet the three finalists for the position of director of the Rainbow’s End Child Development Center during a series of open presentations set for next week.

Jennifer Hanley, Mary Beth Goff and Darlene Waier will each be on campus for visits, interviews and presentations, giving people the opportunity to meet and learn more about them and their goals should they become the new center director.

The presentations are set for 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the Student Health Center auditorium. The schedule is:

• Tuesday, Feb. 24: Hanley.

• Wednesday, Feb. 25: Goff.

• Thursday, Feb. 26: Waier.

Hanley, of Carterville, is currently a child care assistant at Rainbow’s End. She’s held the post since 1999. She previously worked as a site manager/case manager for Progress Port Inc. in Carterville and as owner of Jen’s Day Care, a licensed home child care facility in Carterville. Her experience also includes a stint as a homemaker with National Homecare, now Addus Healthcare, of Anna.

Hanley earned her master of science degree in education, curriculum and instruction at SIUC in May 2008. She also has a bachelor of arts in psychology from SIUC and an associate of science degree from John A. Logan College. She holds CPR/first aid certification and has also participated in additional training, including grant-writing classes.

Goff, of Carbondale, is a Cairo school teacher where she serves on the school leadership team. During her five years there, Goff has acquired literacy grants for the district. She previously served as a teacher for The Children’s Place, a day treatment facility in Kansas City, Mo., for young children suffering from child abuse or neglect or drug exposure at birth. Her experience also includes being director of the Asbury Children’s Center, a child care center in Prairie Village, Kan.

Goff earned her bachelor’s degree in education in 2002 from SIUC, and she holds a bachelor’s degree in human development from Saint Mary College in Leavenworth, Kan. She earned her master of arts degree in psychology at the Leavenworth college in 1996. Goff has several elementary education teaching endorsements and professional certifications.

Waier, of McLeansboro, is currently county director of the Hamilton-Wayne-White County University of Illinois Extension and previously served in the same position at the Jefferson County Unit. Her employment with the University of Illinois Extension dates to 1999. Formerly, she was assistant dean of external affairs for the SIU School of Law preceded by a term as assistant director of the Southern Illinois University Placement Office.

Her experience also includes time as director of entrepreneurial development for Ernst & Young LLP in St. Louis and department manager for the former Carbondale Meis Department Store. She has held a variety of teaching positions as well, including Job Training Partnership Act instructor at Rend Lake College, in-service instructor for MicroAge Computers of Carbondale, homebound instructor for Carbondale Community High School, tutor for Jackson County Truancy Program, De Soto Elementary School teacher and graduate assistant in SIUC Testing Services.

Waier is a double-degree alumna of SIUC, with a 1989 master of science degree in educational psychology and a 1983 bachelor’s in elementary education. She holds an associate degree from Rend Lake College and has completed a number of hours toward a master’s degree in higher education administration.

Each of the three candidates has a record of involvement in community and professional organizations.

Rainbow’s End Child Development Center, a division of Student Affairs at SIUC, is the University’s comprehensive child development program caring for the children of students, faculty and staff. Licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, the center provides services to children ages six weeks to 12 years. Current enrollment is more than 130.

The new director will fill the vacancy left by the December 2008 retirement of longtime director Eva D. Murray. Murray retired with 24 years of service to SIUC.