Her Story
About Shari
Shari Jones serves as Director of Student Success at Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. With 11 years in higher education and five years in her current role, she oversees the entire student experience from onboarding through graduation. Her responsibilities include supervising academic advising for both faculty and staff advisors, collaborating on curriculum development with the dean, and leading initiatives to enhance student engagement, persistence, and graduation rates. Shari has reshaped the orientation and onboarding process by introducing pre-orientation workshops and dedicated support for international students. She earned her bachelor's degree in English from Illinois State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration with National University while holding a certification in human-centered design completed through Luma Workplace. Shari attributes her personal and professional achievements, including creating a fully functional multi-layered student experience program, to God.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shari
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to God. None of me, all of Him.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Don't wait until you get the job to prepare for that job. Figure out what you want to strive for in your ideal role, and until you get there, figure out how to make your current role work for you so you can get the experience and be prepared when you arrive.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't wait to have a seat at a table. Build your own table.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Higher education is facing financial challenges with limited government aid, low enrollment below pre-pandemic levels, students questioning the value of a degree due to debt and job market uncertainty, leading to layoffs and a need to reimagine what higher education means today.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is key. Honesty, transparency, empathy, and sincerity are most important to me.
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