ALUM-TO-ALUM CAREERCENTER EVENTS STAYCONNECTED ALUMNICOUNCIL NEWS MEMBERBENEFITS

Brandi Morrell '97

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Which on-campus activities were you involved in as a student? How did those activities assist you in attaining your career goals?

I was actively involved in campus activities and community service
through being a member of Sigma Delta Tau. Sorority involvement
assisted me in attaining my career goals and continues to assist me
through networking and having hands on experience with true team
building.

Please detail your career accomplishments. How will your career path help you to be successful in the position which you are being nominated for?

Immediately after graduating from Johnson & Wales University, I became the career placement director for Ridley-Lowell Business & Technical Institute in New London, CT. Based on my educational background, I was able to quickly move up the organization to Dean of Students and soon after selected as Executive Director. In the Executive Director position I was responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing all business operations as well as events at the institute including holiday parties, recognition and reward presentations, open-houses, job fairs, and graduation ceremonies. While working as the Executive Director, I continued my education earning an MBA in Human Resource Management. The continued education and earned degree drew me into the training industry, and I moved on to working for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation at Foxwoods Resort and Casino. In this capacity, I was the project leader for many specialized training projects and events which focused on encouraging participation and involvement in the training programs. After working in the private industry and tribal government, I chose to further my career in the public sector working for the State of Connecticut Executive Branch. This opportunity provided me with many avenues to succeed and a great chance to build myself professionally and personally. I created a mobile computer lab in order to provide training for a larger number of participants on site as well as to bring training to local health departments throughout the state. I was the project manager responsible for assessing, designing, developing, implementing and evaluating training programs agency- and state-wide in Leadership Development, Supervisory and Management Development, and Computer Software Skills. As a key player in the Workforce & Professional Development Section, the number of internal training
programs was increased from 4 to 40 program offerings with multiple
sessions per year to allow for equal opportunity to participate among
all levels of employees. As part of a promotional strategy, training
participation increased significantly. In addition, I developed quality
training procedures and processes that were implemented throughout the state agency. Based on the quality programs, I completed a lengthy
application for International Association of Continuing Education and
Training (IACET) to become an Approved CEU Provider. After a review of the application and a comprehensive site visit, the Department of Public Health was recognized by IACET as providing quality, sustainable programs and the agency was accredited as an Authorized CEU provider.

This approved status provided an incentive for professionals in the
organization to become involved in the training and receive credit that
was recognized by professional associations for their licenses and
continued memberships. At DPH, I was also actively involved in the
Upward Mobility Committee, Training Subcommittee, and the New Employee Mentoring Subcommittee. Most recently, I chose to change employment to be closer to home in order to have more time for family, friends, and to increase my involvement with extracurricular activities. I am involved in event planning as the Activities Committee Chair, Coordinator for basket raffles for United Way Fundraising, and recently chaired the subcommittee for my organization’s holiday employee and retiree dinner/dance. In addition, I am an online faculty member for the University of Phoenix providing instruction and mentoring to first
entry students. My career in leadership development and mentoring and involvement in committees and coordinating activities has prepared me for the elected position of Events Committee Chair. In addition, I have actively participated in JWU and alumni events over the past years and would enjoy the opportunity to become more involved with JWU by becoming an active member on the Alumni Council.

Please list what skills and/or qualities you will bring to the council to help take the council to the next level.

My experience in promoting activities and events will help take the
council to the next level by increasing alumni participation and
involvement. I also have strong leadership, coaching, and mentoring
skills to contribute to the alumni council as a whole.

What are your visions/goals for the council over the next two years?

My vision for the council over the next two years is to continue
developing and building alumni involvement. My goals as the Events
Committee Chair are to evaluate alumni events, identify new events and
activities to increase alumni involvement, increase my personal
involvement with JWU, and become actively involved in activities on
campus. As a member of the Alumni Council, I will provide support and
leadership through my active involvement with the council and the
University.

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