Linda Weldon appointed to Northwestern College Board of Directors

[Oak Lawn, IL] Northwestern College announced the addition of Linda Weldon as a Member of its Board of Directors. The 120-year-old family-owned institution, now located in Oak Lawn, Illinois, operates under the direction of the Board of Directors and President Lawrence Schumacher. The Board appointment is for a 1-year term which can be renewed on an annual basis.

Weldon brings her lifelong higher education experience to the Northwestern College Board, having worked in nearly every facet of postsecondary education as well as an Evaluator of an accrediting body. Her focus has consistently been on working to set colleges on a course for success, from changes made in the classroom, to the administration, to the board room. Over the years she has looked at issues from multiple perspectives and made tough decisions, some of which benefited a single student and others that affected thousands of students at multi-campus institutions.

Specifically, Weldon’s skills include education policy, academic advising, adult education, educational technology, and accreditation. Those skills are further complemented by her strong media and communication abilities as well as government and lobbying expertise on the local, state, and federal levels.

Education was not Weldon’s first career calling. In fact, she began her career in merchandising with Macy’s (Missouri) and Weinstocks (California) just after graduating from college, never imagining that her path would take a sharp turn into higher education. Throughout the course of her career her titles have included College President, Vice President, Executive Director of Education, Campus Director, Instructor, as well as Owner/Administrator of her own institution. Although she considers herself retired, Weldon continues to offer her services to higher education as a consultant via LWL Education Group, a consulting firm she opened in 2007.

Most recently, Weldon served from 2019-2021 as President of the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools & Colleges (FAPSC) Foundation, having been affiliated with the Association and its Board since 2002. As President of the Foundation, she managed the not-for-profit’s operations (focused on providing scholarships to FAPSC students). In addition to overseeing the daily operations, control and administration of the organization, she also leant her talents by taking on marketing, promotion, and fundraising for the foundation.

Weldon’s foray into higher education began when she entered the classroom at Bauder College in Sacramento, CA as an Instructor teaching Buying, Marketing, Wholesaling, Career Planning, Retailing, Mathematics for Retail Buying, Market Studies and Small Business Management. She utilized her experience as a Buyer and Merchandiser for Weinstocks and Macy's to bring real world value to her students interested in careers in the industry.

Having enjoyed both higher education itself as well as the direct connection to students in the classroom, Weldon went on to establish the California Academy of Merchandising, Art & Design in Sacramento, CA. As both Owner and Administrator, she wore a myriad of hats building the institution. She developed the entire course of study for a two-year 90 quarter unit of college level programs in merchandising, fine arts & interior design and coordinated all efforts to obtain degree granting status from the State as well as obtain accreditation through the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS).

Weldon’s thorough understanding of higher education stemmed from her ownership of the California Academy of Merchandising, Art & Design for she wrote course objectives; selected textbooks; prepared class outlines; hired and supervised instructors; recruited students; prepared promotional pamphlets, catalogs and advertising; conducted public relations; in addition to instructing in the classroom.

Weldon has a BS in Business Administration from Missouri State University (formerly Southwest Missouri State) and an MA in Educational Administration from California State University.

“We are excited to welcome Linda Weldon to the College’s Board of Directors,” commented Lawrence Schumacher, Northwestern College President. “Her wealth of knowledge in the postsecondary education arena is well known throughout the country.”

President Schumacher went on to add that Weldon’s higher education administrative and classroom knowledge, coupled with her experience as an Evaluator for an accrediting body, will add incredible value to the Northwestern College Board.

Now retired, Weldon resides in Tampa Bay, Florida and continues to consult on higher education matters.

About Northwestern College:

Northwestern College’s mission is to educate, prepare, and empower our diverse student body to pursue their professional goals. We offer career focused programs that are taught in a student-centered learning community and are flexible for our student needs. More information can be found at www.NC.edu or by calling toll-free (888) 205-2283.