About Dr. Michele Vaughn
Dr. Michele Vaughn recently joined Kishwaukee United Way nonprofit organization as the New Executive Director serving the Dekalb and Sycamore community. Prior to accepting this new leadership position, Dr. Vaughn served eight years as the Chief Executive Officer & Founder of a grassroots nonprofit organization called the Teen & Single Mother Resource Center, Inc. located in Waukegan, Illinois. The primary mission aimed to equip, empower, and educate single mothers to become positive role models to their children through the power of advanced education and homeownership. Prior to the launch of the non-profit, Dr. Vaughn worked eight years in higher education at a two year community college as the associate dean for community education. She worked effortlessly to ensure education was accessible to a population that was considered, “the least likely to succeed, but the most in need.” She did this by partnering with various Lake County community agencies to offer GED, ESL & Career Development mobile learning classrooms for adult learners.
Dr. Vaughn is a thought leader in the nonprofit arena and higher education sector with 19 years of experience in various roles. She has led collaborative efforts to reimagine community and student support in innovative ways that enhance stakeholder involvement and equitable outcomes. Under her leadership, strategies and groundbreaking partnerships have been implemented to provide tailored, just-in-time support. Dr. Vaughn is very passionate in building up the lives of others, particularly underserved communities, and single mothers. She was very instrumental in the development and cultivation of the Teen & Single Mother Resource Center providing opportunities for annual fundraising campaigns, homeownership down payment assistance, and yearly education scholarships. Much of her community service work has been accomplished by collaborating with community partners, volunteers, corporations, and individual donors.
Additionally, Dr. Vaughn, is a certified leadership coach, speaker, and trainer with the John C. Maxwell Global Leadership team. She has trained a diverse group of leaders on the power of influence as well as individual coaching. Her passion in the field of nonprofit service and education stems from her own past struggle as a college dropout who was labeled as “just another pregnant teen.” But she refused to surrender to the pressures of rejection, suicide, and uncertainty by deciding to complete her education and become a well-equipped role model to her two sons.
Today, Dr. Vaughn has earned an Associate of Arts degree, a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a Master of Science Degree in Counseling, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. “If You Can Birth a Baby, You Can Birth Your Dreams” is Dr. Vaughn’s first authored book. She is highly recognized for her drive as a passionate humanitarian, Inspiring leader, multiple published book author, and a highly pursued public speaker. She has been recognized multiple times as an award recipient both locally and nationally for her professional work in the field of higher education and the nonprofit sector. She has appeared on Fox and Friends as an expert guest on the topic of high school dropouts as well as HGTV’s House Hunters Television show helping a single mom become a first-time homeowner. It is her hope to provide executive leadership in support of missions that align with her purpose to lead and inspire change that promotes growth.