LaShonda Gurley started as the new director for the Center of Career and Vocation at Bluffton University Nov. 5. She earned her doctorate in March 2019 in education leadership and management from Capella University and has more than 20 years experience in higher education in the areas of enrollment management, student affairs and academic affairs.
LaShonda came from Ohio Northern University in Ada where she was the Director for the Multicultural Development Center, as well as a deputy Title XI Coordinator. At Ohio Northern, LaShonda started to work with students in collaborating with career centers and first-year students, especially with multicultural students.
LaShonda has already been meeting with Bluffton students in her first week on campus. Students have been coming to her, talking to her about graduate school applications and crafting resumés or personal statements.
LaShonda has also been busy trying to expand the reach of external support by meeting with a corporate sponsor already. Shari Ayers the former director for the Center of Career and Vocation also met with LaShonda this week to see how she was settling in and give her an overview of the center.
“In a nutshell, I’ve been meeting people, getting used to the technology, getting acclimated to the environment and making connections internally and externally that will hopefully be lifelong connections,” said LaShonda.
LaShonda has a unique beginning in her journey to Bluffton. Gurley’s oldest daughter, Ky Gurley, is a junior sociology major at Bluffton. LaShonda said her family never steered Ky to attend the institution she was working at. Gurley wanted her daughter to find a school that was the right fit for Ky and in her process. Ky decided to come to Bluffton.
“I had frequent engagement with the staff, faculty, students and parents of some students,” said LaShonda. “Those individuals that I interacted with were helping sell the institution for my daughter to come here, they were also selling the institution to me as a potential future place to work.”
Another draw for LaShonda was believing in the mission of the university as well as the vision of President Jane Wood.
When LaShonda is not working or chasing her younger two daughters around for athletics, she enjoys reading, writing and listening to music. LaShonda said she would call herself a music junkie after working in a record store and appreciates music spanning from the 1950’s till now.
Ky knew her mom had Bluffton in mind for a future employment option. Ky said she goes to her mom for almost everything she needs, so LaShonda being on campus working in the Center gives LaShonda the opportunity to help Ky with her education and career opportunities. Ky also says her mom being on campus gives her one more person she can count on nearby.
“I feel pretty proud everyone gets to meet my mom,” said Ky.
