Kelly Named COEHS Development Officer

 MACOMB/MOLINE, IL -- Kelly Severs, former multipurpose building coordinator and student athlete success coach at Spoon River College (SRC) in Canton, has been named the Western Illinois University College of Education and Human Services development director, effective Oct. 12. 

Severs served in her role at SRC since June 2020. As the multipurpose building coordinator, one of her roles was leading large-scale athletic fundraising efforts and working with coaches and staff to generate new fundraising initiatives. Severs also coordinated with marketing to create content for fundraising efforts. Prior to joining the SRC staff, she was an undergraduate admissions and orientation graduate assistant at Western for two years. Severs also worked as a WIU Department of College Personnel graduate assistant in which she developed and implemented a recruitment plan, and worked with admissions and advising.   

"Kelly is a great addition to our development team," said Brad Bainter, executive officer of the WIU Foundation. "Her recent higher education experiences and her knowledge of WIU and the College of Education and Human Services will help us further enhance support for COEHS and our students from our alumni, parents and friends. " 

Severs received her master's degree from WIU and bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. 

The director of development reports to the executive director of development in the WIU Foundation and Development Office, and provides overall leadership for the college's fundraising program, with primary emphasis on securing major gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations to support academic priorities of the college and the goals and objectives of the University's strategic plan "Higher Values in Higher Education."