New Staff at MacMurray

     MacMurray College announced the appointment of Ms. Holly Rae Blandford as the director of the College Success Program (CSP).

     Ms. Blandford assumed her new responsibilities effective June 1.

     The CSP’s objective is to help students refine basic college skills, enabling them to successfully complete college courses at MacMurray.

     Ms Blandford’s duties will require her to administer and teach within the program; monitor academic progress of students; academically advise and counsel CSP students; attend and participate in Open Houses, enrollment days, and admissions activities that promote the program; work collaboratively with faculty and administrators across the campus.

     She earned her B.A. degrees in psychology and dance from Webster University (St. Louis) in 1999. She earned her Master of Education in higher education administration from the University of Illinois (Urbana/Champaign) in 2001.

     Her work experience includes Gap, Inc., where she was a brand presentation coordinator and the University of Illinois where she had been an activities coordinator and an assistant for the new students program.

     Ms. Blandford coordinated and supervised all aspects of university housing and programming including oversight of over 600 students and staff. She had developed educational and administrative policies related to staff, students and university relations.

     She hired, trained and supervised graduate assistants and undergraduate students and designed numerous staff development programs. Her experience has also included preparation of weekly, monthly and annual reports on programming activities, discipline cases and facilities management.

     Ms. Blandford has been active with Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, the Old Capitol Historic Site and the American Youth Foundation. She currently resides in Springfield, Ill.