Jennifer K.

Withers
33044 Glidden Road, Kingston, IL 60145 ▪ 815-970-4286 ▪ jthoma14@niu.edu

EDUCATION
Master of Science in Higher Education and Student Affairs, Anticipated Graduation Spring 2021
Current GPA 3.97
▪ Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois

Bachelor of Science in Business Management, December 2017

Emphasis on Human Resource Management
▪ Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois

Certificate in Office Systems, May 1996

▪ Kishwaukee Community College, Malta, Illinois

RELEVANT COURSE WORK

Foundations of Higher Education Equity, Diversity, and Social Justice
Student Affairs Administration and Practice Assessment Methods in Higher Education
Helping Skills for Student Affairs Professionals Fundamental Oral Communication
Campus Environments and Student Cultures Legal Aspects of Higher Education Administration

EXPERIENCE
Northern Illinois University - DeKalb, IL August 2020 – Current
Administrative Assistant to the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Chief Diversity
Officer/Interim Chief Human Resource Officer – Office of Academic Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
▪ Provides administrative support for the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion/Chief
Diversity Officer/Interim Chief Human Resource Officer (VPDEI/CDO/ICHRO), Assistant Vice
President for Diversity and Equity (AVPDE), and all departments under the Office of Academic
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ADEI).
▪ Provides primary support to the VPDEI/CDO/ICHRO and AVPDE as well as assists in the day-to-day
operations of the Office of ADEI.
▪ Works closely with other departments and staff within ADEI, including resource center directors and
administrative assistants (Latino Resource Center, Gender and Sexuality Resource Center, Center for
Black Studies, and Asian American Resource Center), Program Coordinator, Business Manager,
Director of Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity and Education (AAEOE), Director of Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA), Coordinator of Undocumented Student Support, Director of Social Justice
Education, Director of Career Services Planning and Assessment. Assist staff of Human Resource
Services (HRS) including the Director of Insurance and Benefits/Payroll, Deputy Director, Director of
Employees Assistance Program, and HR administrative assistant.
▪ Prepares travel reimbursements according to NIU policy. Oversees and coordinates budget reporting,
tracking and reconciliation for VPDEI/CDO/ICHRO and works closely with the ADEI Business
Manager. This includes coordinating travel itineraries and advising regarding all arrangements on behalf
of the VPDEI/CDO/ICHRO, including conference registration, hotel reservations and confirmations,
 and mode of travel arrangements (airfare, train schedule, cab reservations, etc.). Prepares travel
reimbursement and check request paperwork for VPDEI/CDO/ICHRO and the Undocumented Student
Support Office.
▪ Coordinates PeopleAdmin transactions for hiring and job description updates for all aspects of personnel
searches conducted by the VPDEI/CDO/ICHRO for new or replacement staff within ADEI. Works with
search committee to schedule interviews as well as coordinating arrangements for travel and hotel or
virtual, as necessary for candidates.
▪ Coordinates and prepares salaried employee benefit usage forms on a monthly basis
for VPDEI/CDO/ICHRO. Enters hours from all staff time sheets (including extra help and student help)
each pay period and monthly salaried benefits usage for each department under the Office of ADEI,
submit summaries and reports to Human Resource Services. Contact person responsible for handling
audit reviews and provide requested information and documentation.
▪ Manages and coordinates the calendar for the VPDEI/CDO/ICHRO, AVPDE, and Coordinator for
Undocumented Student Support Services. Manages and coordinates all contract processing, signature
authorization and approvals for invoices, POs, and work orders for all ADEI departments. Assists
VPDEI/CDO/ICHRO and AVPDE in scheduling internal and external committee meetings, events,
professional and business travel, and all requests for appointments from both internal and external
colleagues and collaborators for CDO.
▪ Manages all aspects of VPDEI/CDO/ICHRO and AVPDE committees, including scheduling meetings in
person or virtually. Prepares and/or manages preparation of agendas, meeting minutes, and disseminates
meeting materials in a timely manner to the committees prior to the meeting date and time. Provides
support for both committee and staff meetings. Prepares agenda materials as needed: copying, printing,
scheduling, securing room reservations, or establishing a virtual meeting.
▪ Prepares and proofs all documents and reports for the VPDEI/CDO/ICHRO and AVPDE. Reviews
documents for adherence to NIU policies, procedures, and by-laws. Attends and records university-level
committee meetings. Follows up with staff, campus, and other personnel to meet VPDEI/CDO/ICHRO
and AVPDE deadlines.
▪ Assists all departments within ADEI with hiring paperwork for graduate assistants and student help.
Supervises student workers and graduate assistants who report to the VPDEI/CDO/ICHRO and AVPDE
in conjunction with committees that report to the VPDEI/CDO/ICHRO and AVPDE.
▪ Manages and processes sick leave and vacation requests for all ADEI and HR units under
VPDEI/CDO/ICHRO for approval. Processes tuition waiver requests for departments under ADEI.
Updates calendar of VPDEI/CDO/ICHRO and AVPDV, and all departments within ADEI and HR to
ensure appropriate communication of absences across unit leadership.
▪ Organizes and coordinates arrangements for ADEI functions, such as guest speakers, retreats, and
receptions. Assists with annual event planning by making room reservations, organizing catering
arrangements, or establish a virtual meeting. Assists in communicating with internal and external
stakeholders and guests.
▪ Handles highly confidential and sensitive issues and manages the key departmental functions.
Represents ADEI and HR in administrative matters and makes independent decisions based on
knowledge of the university and departmental policies and procedures.
▪ Manages Procurement Card approvals for ADEI directors and administrative staff. Manages annual
inventory verification for Health Services. Maintains records of key distribution and submission requests
for Health Services and Campus Life Building.
▪ Answers main ADEI telephone line and checks voicemail, handles mail distribution. Forwards notices
of events, conferences, and other notifications to ADEI and HR team members.
Northern Illinois University - DeKalb, IL October 2016 – August 2020
Administrative Assistant to the Senior Associate Vice President for Academic Diversity and Chief
Diversity Officer – Office of Academic Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
▪ Worked in collaboration with the business manager to provide cost center information for directors of
Center for Black Studies, Diversity & Equity, Asian American Resource Center, Gender and Sexuality
Resource Center, Latino Resource Center, Affirmative Action & Equal Opportunity with Title IX
Educator/ADA Coordinator, and Undocumented Student Support with budget and managing
transactions to ensure funds are being spent appropriately.
▪ Prepared and maintained budgets for senior administrator. Worked with other units to determine fund
sources for specific purchases.
▪ Answered main ADEI telephone line. Screened calls and rerouted to the proper administrative office
when appropriate. Handled mail distribution and flow of office traffic.
▪ Prepared check requests, purchase requisitions, travel reimbursements, budget transfers, and orders for
office supplies. Reviewed submissions from the units that report to SAVP/CDO for signature. Provided
authorization for approval in the absence of SAVP/CDO.
▪ Supervised graduate assistants and student workers from hire through termination, including job
postings, interviews, hiring paperwork, supervision of day-to-day responsibilities, training, and
providing oversight related to duties on behalf of the SAVP/CDO.
▪ Completed projects on behalf of the SAVP/CDO related to budget management and processing
accounting and human resource paperwork for reporting units.
▪ Maintained confidentiality, handled public relations, and acted efficiently on behalf of the SAVP/CDO.
▪ Assembled data, prepared budget documentation, handled business correspondence, prepared, edited and
checked documents, and reports for the SAVP/CDO for accuracy.
▪ Handled administrative functions for the SAVP/CDO on their behalf on business matters during an
absence or as delegated.
▪ Supported administrative assistants, administrators, and directors as needed in ADEI and Provost Office.
▪ Scheduled internal and external meetings, events, and business travel on behalf of the SAVP/CDO.
▪ Coordinated search committee logistics for positions within ADEI.
▪ Served as approving manager for Procurement Card transactions for ADEI directors and administrative
staff.
▪ Assisted with travel arrangements for the SAVP/CDO: prepared travel authorization form, including
travel itinerary, conference registration, hotel reservations, and mode of travel.
▪ Requested disposition of materials in accordance with University record keeping polices for academic
archives.
▪ Coordinated ADEI events: guest speakers, retreats, and receptions. Handled room reservations, catering,
communicate with internal and external guests.
▪ Prepared and submitted summary reports for salaried employee Benefit Usage Form for SAVP/CDO
monthly.
▪ Met deadlines and performed duties in a timely matter, informed and/or reminded ADEI directors and
administrative assistants of approaching deadlines.
 ▪ Processed sick leave and vacation requests for ADEI directors for SAVP/CDO approval. Added
information to Outlook calendar for SAVP/CDO, AVP, ADEI directors, and administrative assistants.
▪ Provided administrative support for Affirmative Action and Educational Outreach, Undocumented
Student Support division of ADEI along with center directors. Assisted with purchases, provide
guidance in ADEI policy and procedures, scheduling appointments and meetings.
▪ Developed proficiency with Microsoft Office, Office Tracker, OnBase, Outlook, and MyNIU.

Northern Illinois University - DeKalb, IL January 2017 – April 2019

Acting Business Manager – Office of Academic Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
▪ Oversaw, managed, and coordinated budget reporting for SAVP/CDO and all offices that report to the
SAVP/CDO. Served as the budget manager and hiring manager for all ADEI units.
▪ Monitored expenses and monthly budget reconciliations, ADEI event expenses, program co-
sponsorships, and memberships.
▪ Prepared annual budget development and end of year budget reconciliation for all departments within
ADEI. Coordinated yearly budget review working closely with the Office of Administration and Finance
and the Budget Manager for Academic Affairs.
▪ Provided support to the SAVP/CDO on all aspects of personnel searches, conducted by the SAVP/CDO
for replacement of unit staff within ADEI. Worked with search committee to schedule interviews as well
as coordinating arrangements with airport and hotel, as necessary for candidates.

Northern Illinois University - DeKalb, IL August 2014 – October 2016

Administrative Assistant to the Dean – College of Business
▪ Served in direct reporting line to the Dean with independent management of daily activities.
▪ Prepared hiring documentation for faculty, graduate assistants, extra help, and staff. Completed
paperwork and communicated with each individual to make sure submitted in a timely manner and
information was accurate.
▪ Proposed and implemented systems for guidance with others in the office to maintain workflow by
studying methods, implementing administrative systems, procedures, policies, and monitoring projects.
▪ Managed administrative oversight of SPS and civil service searches included collection and distribution
of information to the search committee.
▪ Participated in formal training to increase office operations knowledge.
▪ Managed Dean’s schedule including, but not limited to planning internal and external meetings, working
with diverse groups of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and business leaders. Scheduled recurring
appointments.
▪ Managed the Board of Executive Advisors. Organized and prepared the meetings on and off campus.
Maintained membership documentation and current roster of advisors. Handled deposits for financial
contribution to the college.
▪ Provided assistance to college Business Manager in matters related to budgetary aspects of personnel
and purchasing of equipment.
▪ Managed the Dean’s Discretionary Account: transactions, budget reporting, and account balance.
Northern Illinois University - DeKalb, IL February 1999 – August 2014
Office Manager – Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering and Engineering
Technology
▪ Provided administrative guidance of all aspects of the department.
▪ Maintained budgetary control and independently created and maintained departmental expenditure
reports.
▪ Reconciled discrepancies in the budget in collaboration with the college Business Manager.
▪ Created course and lab schedules (day, time, location, and kept track of professor’s course load).
▪ Worked directly with the Graduate School and Human Resource Services to process forms and ensure
proper procedures were followed in admission and/or hiring graduate assistants.
▪ Provided clerical support to student organizations.
▪ Developed voting method for department committee elections.
▪ Coordinated with Student Financial Aid Office, Foundation, Development and Scholarship Coordinator
for the awarding of scholarships.
▪ Assisted students with scheduling advisement and course registration.
▪ Maintained knowledge of department curriculum, undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
▪ Managed equipment inventory and submitted reports to NIU Property Control.
▪ Coordinated faculty searches – hiring of permanent, temporary, and part-time faculty. Involved with
processing required documents in a complete and timely manner.

JW Transport – Kirkland, IL/Kingston, IL January 2005 – June 2012

Business Manager/Audit Analyst
▪ Prepared and sent billing documentation to customers, obtained remittance on checks and wire transfers
and processed payments, contacted customers for payment status, and resolved unapplied payment
statuses.
▪ Reviewed and delivered transportation documentation for processing, filed, and archived carrier hours
for payment.
▪ Remained informed of current state requirements and anticipated future financial needs of the company.
▪ Applied financial analysis to evaluate strategic choices and identify trends, in financial threats and
opportunities.
▪ Facilitated all aspects of the annual business planning process for accounts to include budget, business
plan creation, and plan adjustments.
▪ Projected necessary resources to efficiently manage overall business expenses to ensure both tactical and
strategic opportunities.
▪ Created implementation plan, including account responsibilities, resource requirements, and time
management.
▪ Managed multiple demands and competing priorities to ensure account goals are achieved.
▪ Organized daily operation activities and provided additional support as necessary and informed the
business owner/operator of account activities daily.
▪ Maintained and organized fiscal year documentation and receipts for tax preparation, developed a
spreadsheet to track expenses.
HONORS/ACTIVITIES
Member of Chi Sigma Alpha (CSA) – Joined 2020
Member of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) – Joined 2019
Undocumented Student Ally
LGBTQ+ Ally
Disability Ally
Member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) – Joined 2017
College of Business – Passport Distinguished Business Scholar
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
Nominated for the Northern Illinois University Outstanding Service Award - 2009 and 2011
College of Engineering & Engineering Technology (CEET) – Staff of the Year 2008
Member of the CEET Homecoming Committee – 2000 to 2012