Perspectives: Cory Scheer Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Director

Cory Scheer

2/10/12

It’s truly a privilege to be a part of the William Jewell College community. My journey at Jewell began on Jan. 1, 2012. Since day one, I have been welcomed with open arms by students, faculty and staff. I am grateful to be a part of an academic institution truly focused on “promising students an outstanding liberal arts education that cultivates leadership, service and spiritual growth within a community inspired by Christian ideals and committed to open, rigorous intellectual pursuits.”
My higher education journey began at Southwest Baptist University where I received bachelor degrees in Speech Communication and Community Recreation. I also had the privilege of being the director of Intramural Sports and a member of the SBU Forensics Team. I furthered my education at Rockhurst University where I received an Executive MBA in the Helzberg School of Management.
My professional career has involved experiences in both the private and nonprofit sectors. For eight years, I served as the business manager, River Program director and Marketing / Promotions manager for Noah’s Ark Whitewater Rafting Co. and Adventure Program located in Buena Vista, Colo. Annually, our organization served 30,000 clients through various outdoor adventure activities such as whitewater rafting, backpacking, rock climbing, canoeing and experiential education. Our seasonal staff of 170 employees were strongly committed to the highest standards of quality and excellence to ensure an unforgettable adventure experience for our guests.
My wife and I then moved to Kansas City in 2007 in order to begin a new chapter of our lives, closer to her family here in Kansas City (We knew Grandma and Grandpa wanted to spoil our kids on a more regular basis!). I accepted a position as the Executive Director of the Paul Henson Family YMCA which is part of the YMCA of Greater Kansas City. After three years as the Executive Director at the Y, I took on the additional responsibility of Vice President of Strategic Partnerships where I oversaw several community impact programs including: LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, 2nd Grade Learn to Swim Program, BlueCross BlueShield Healthy Families Program and Activate America, which was part of the YUSA’s initiative to address the nation’s health crisis. The YMCA of Greater Kansas City is a wonderful organization, and it was a privilege to work for them for nearly four years.
The opportunity to teach at Jewell was then offered to me in late 2011, and I was very excited to accept the position knowing that it fit with my vocational pursuits of teaching, leadership development and community outreach. I am most excited to work at Jewell because I have an opportunity everyday to serve students during an incredibly important and exciting time in their lives. There were some highly influential faculty and staff in my college career that prepared me well for life after college. I hope to have that same influence here at William Jewell and truly look forward to supporting the efforts of students to make an impact both during and after their college experience. I am also grateful to work alongside such a high-quality and well-respected staff and faculty at William Jewell College.
I enjoy volunteering for various organizations in the Kansas City area and currently serve as: a volunteer for Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, Board Member for the Sunflowers to Roses bike ride, vice president of the Young Nonprofit Professional Network Steering Committee, and as a LIVESTRONG Trainer, which focuses on advocacy and awareness for cancer survivorship.
I look forward to meeting more students, faculty, staff and alumni at William Jewell and am grateful to share in the Jewell Journey with each of you.