Her Story
About April
I am the president of Associated Colleges of Illinois, serving 18 independent liberal arts schools by providing scholarships, emergency financial aid, and professional development. I have been in education for 16 years after 10 years in the museum industry where I helped open a new children's museum. I earned my bachelor's in Theater from Northern Illinois University as a first-generation student and hold a CFRE certification. I am involved in women's leadership groups and serve on boards including Metropolitan Family Services and an advisory council for the Council of Independent Colleges.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with April
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to collaborating with others, being a good listener, seeing things that other people don't, and being a connector who does more for others than for myself.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is persistence, keep trying, and maintaining a positive attitude because things might look grim one day but another 24 hours it can be a different situation, so it's your mindset.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise being curious and getting outside of your comfort zone. When you feel like not going to a networking event or conference, go anyway because you will meet at least two people that could change your whole outlook.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in higher education right now are the household perception of whether a degree is worth it, and challenges with supporting student success through scholarship funding or emergency financial aid, as one bad financial thing can prevent a student from returning.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are family first, generosity, kindness, and trust.
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