Heidi Hansen McCrory Named Senior Advisor for Community Relations

Heidi Hansen McCrory, who has served as Kenyon’s vice president for college relations since 2014, has been appointed senior advisor for community relations. In her new role, McCrory will lead Kenyon’s efforts to build effective partnerships with community organizations, business leaders, and state and federal officials. Her appointment reflects the College’s increasing commitment to strengthening ties in the region.

“I can think of no better partner in this phase of our work,” said President Sean Decatur. “Heidi brings a deep knowledge of Kenyon and community resources, a capacity to work with a diverse set of stakeholders, and a track record for matching talent and resources to a strategic vision.”

During McCrory’s tenure, the College secured the largest gift in its history, $75 million from an anonymous donor to adapt Kenyon’s campus for excellence and innovation in its third century. The College also launched an effort to raise $20 million to bring promising underrepresented students from low-income backgrounds to Kenyon. These initiatives advance two of three priorities in Kenyon’s 2020 strategic plan. Building community on campus, in the surrounding region and in the worldwide Kenyon family is the College’s third strategic priority.

In 2015, the College partnered with Karen Buchwald Wright P’05, ’09 to envision Kenyon’s first-ever space in downtown Mount Vernon. With support from The Ariel Foundation, as well as the Community Foundation of Mount Vernon & Knox County and other private donors, the College renovated the historic Buckeye Candy building as the new home for Kenyon’s Office for Community Partnerships, which McCrory will oversee in her new role.

“I look forward to building on the strong foundation that Jen Odenweller has forged with colleagues in the Office for Community Partnerships and across campus,” said McCrory. “We are fortunate to have ready partners at Kenyon and in the broader region for this important work, and I am excited to cultivate new ones.”

Odenweller has served as director of Kenyon’s Office for Community Partnerships since 2015 and recently was named director of The Ariel Foundation, effective March 1, 2018.

Prior to joining Kenyon, McCrory held advancement positions at Sweet Briar College, Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, New England College and the National Head Injury Foundation. She is a lifelong member and volunteer with the Girl Scouts of the USA and lives with her husband, Bill, in the historic district of Mount Vernon.

The College has engaged Isaacson Miller to conduct a national search for a vice president for development and alumni relations. The search committee will be chaired by Emeritus Trustee Barry Schwartz ’70 H’15. McCrory will continue to oversee the College Relations division until the position is filled and will work with Odenweller on a transition plan for the Office for Community Partnerships.

Prepared by the Office of Communications Jan. 15, 2018