EACE 2025 Board of Directors Elections
President-Elect (standard term) Candidate
 Whitney Kerr
Associate Director, Campus Engagement
Rutgers University - Newark
1. Describe your interest in serving on the EACE Board in this capacity.
Giving back to EACE, which has given me so much, remains a top professional priority. This organization has been essential to my professional journey for the past six years. From the moment I joined, I immersed myself in the organization by serving in various committees and roles as a member of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Co-Chair of the HBCU/HSI Affinity Group, Conference Experience Committee Member and Co-Chair, Annual Conference Co-Chair, Conference Programming Committee Co-Chair, Nominations Task Force Member and as a member of the Black Affinity Group. I received the Outstanding Member Award in 2023, highlighting my leadership in strategic initiatives, programming, and service. Additionally, I’ve had the privilege of co-hosting EACE Conversations with Phil & Whit, strengthening my connection to the organization and its members.
As the first professional organization I joined in my higher education career, EACE has significantly shaped my leadership development. This organization has given me confidence, mentors, and lifelong connections. I have always been an active and vocal member, advocating for what is right and working as a behind-the-scenes change agent, helping others navigate and grow within EACE, just as so many others within the organization have done for me.
While EACE has a strong legacy, there is still room for growth. My vision as President-Elect is to empower all members, regardless of professional status or affiliation, while fostering transparency, equity, and leadership development. I am committed to strengthening our board, amplifying member voices, increasing our membership enrollment and participation, and advancing EACE’s mission of connecting colleges and employers.
I am excited about the opportunity to lead and contribute to EACE’s continued success and evolution.
2. What skills and experiences do you possess that have prepared you to be successful in this role?
Throughout my time in EACE, I’ve had the privilege of serving in multiple leadership roles, such as Co-Chair of the HBCU/HSI Affinity Group, Conference Experience and Programming Committees, and the Annual Conference. I’ve also co-hosted EACE Conversations with Phil & Whit, which allowed me to connect with members, amplify important conversations, and strengthen our professional community. In addition, I was given the opportunity to participate in the EACE Board Shadow Program, which allowed me to learn more about the inner workings of the Board of Directors. These experiences gave me an understanding of how EACE operates and, more importantly, how we can continue growing and evolving.
Beyond EACE, my career in higher education career services has equipped me to lead in dynamic, fast-paced environments while cultivating a culture of career readiness. As Associate Director for Campus Engagement at Rutgers University-Newark, I drive career education initiatives, oversee multiple teams of professionals and student staff, and foster meaningful campus collaborations. I’ve successfully managed both seasoned professionals and early-career staff, ensuring that mentorship, professional development, and strategic alignment contribute to a thriving team. During my tenure as Director of Career and Workforce Development at Lincoln University, I further honed my skills in budget management, program development, and advocacy, ensuring both students and professionals had access to the resources and opportunities they needed to succeed. Using that experience, I was able to transform student employment programs by creating fairer hiring practices and developing career readiness resources tailored to underrepresented students. Additionally, as the Inaugural Senior Cooperative Education Coordinator for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives at Drexel University, I spearheaded the Steinbright Career Development Center’s first DEI-centered strategic plan, ensuring that inclusive hiring, mentorship, and career coaching remained top priorities. My passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion runs deep, and I’m committed to fostering a leadership culture that empowers all members to grow professionally.
I know firsthand what it takes to work in a volunteer-led organization, balancing urgency with collaboration, making strategic decisions, and ensuring every voice is heard. As President-Elect, I’d bring energy, vision, and a strong commitment to making EACE even better for the future.
3. What ideas and/or goals do you have for this position?
As President-Elect, I plan to collaborate with the board to create new strategic goals while championing these key initiatives:
- Enhance Membership Growth & Engagement: Develop a strategic recruitment plan to increase membership among HBCUs, HSIs, community colleges, and smaller institutions. This includes evaluating current membership, setting benchmarks for growth, and integrating new members into affinity groups with tailored programming. Through strengthening employer partnerships with corporate, nonprofit, and government organizations, we will expand opportunities and increase participation in EACE events. I will also introduce a “Membership Ambassador Program” to connect seasoned EACE members with new and prospective members for engagement mentorship.
- Foster Innovation in Leadership Growth & Development: Expand virtual learning and introduce EACE micro-credentialing, offering year-round workshops and EACE certifications in areas such as AI, workforce trends, and leadership. I will also introduce two new projects: the “EACE Career Innovation Lab,” where members can collaborate, test, and share career development strategies and new employer engagement models, and “EACE Upward,” which will support EACE members interested in advancing into leadership roles within the organization.
- Strengthen Board & Committee Collaboration: Provide leadership development opportunities to board members that equip them with the skills needed to serve. This includes workshops on governance, Robert’s Rules of Order, strategic fundraising, and planning for the future of EACE. For committees and sub-committees, implement structured goal setting for committees, ensuring their objectives align with EACE’s strategic plan while increasing accountability and impact. Lastly, host quarterly EACE Town Halls to enhance transparency and member engagement, while structured goal setting for committees will align objectives with EACE’s strategic plan, increasing impact and accountability.
Expand DEI&B Efforts: In collaboration with the D&I Board Director, we will strengthen DEI efforts within the organization. Given today’s evolving political and social climate, I want to ensure that we will incorporate a sense of belonging, ensuring our initiatives align with legal policies without fear. Furthermore, I plan on expanding Affinity Groups and DEI&B-focused programming by offering tailored networking and professional development opportunities for Black, Latinx, AAPI, LGBTQ+, Disability, and First-Gen professionals within EACE. To create a sustainable DEI&B leadership pipeline, I will establish a structured mentorship program that supports underrepresented professionals in advancing into board and leadership roles.
4. EACE History
Years of Membership: 6 years
EACE Service History:
2024 - Present 2025 Annual Conference Committee Programming Co-Chair
2024 - Present Nominations Committee Task Force
2022 - Present EACE Conversations with Phil & Whit Co-Host
2022 - 2023 Annual Conference Committee Co-Chair
2021 - 2022 Conference Experience Committee Co-Chair
2021 - 2023 D&I Committee Member: HBCU/HSI Affinity Group Co-Chair
2020 - 2021 Conference Experience Committee Member
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