Scottie Akines Jr.
Chicago
Summary
Experienced higher education administrator with over 10 years in advancing student engagement and fostering inclusive community-building initiatives. Skilled in collaborating with diverse stakeholders, managing complex budgets, and developing programs that enhance belonging and leadership. Committed to promoting equity and access within law and professional school environments.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Business Administrator III – Theatre & Performance Studies
Northwestern University
01.2022 - Current
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for a $10M departmental budget, including forecasting, reconciliation, and evaluation of financial processes to improve efficiency and accountability
- Oversee and support Theatre and Performance Studies events, orientation activities, performances, and signature programs, collaborating with faculty, staff, students, and external partners to ensure seamless planning, execution, and an inclusive, welcoming experience for audiences and participants
- Oversee departmental operations, policies, and procedures while identifying opportunities for continuous improvement and innovation
- Lead, mentor, and supervise a diverse team of 9 staff and student employees, fostering clear communication, professional growth, and inclusive team culture
- Partner with faculty affairs to recruit, promote, onboard, and support faculty, adjunct and visiting faculty, ensuring a welcoming and well-supported academic environment
- Designed and launched the department’s first centralized Payment Request Portal, streamlining access, transparency, and equity in financial processes
- Strong alignment: strategic planning, supervision, budget management, institutional collaboration, inclusive operations
Assistant Director – Student Services
Kellogg School of Management
01.2018 - 01.2022
- Advised 100+ student organizations on programming, leadership development, budgeting, vendor coordination, and event execution.
- Led onboarding and orientation programming for approximately 1,300 incoming and continuing students annually, including admitted and incoming student engagement
- Advised Kellogg’s affinity and identity-based student organizations on leadership development, governance, inclusive programming, and community engagement initiatives.
- Designed and led high-impact professional development programming in partnership with global organizations including Disney, PWC, Nike, and Uber, working directly with CEOs, CFOs, and senior executives to integrate experiential learning, leadership development, and real world business challenges into the student experience
- Managed all Kellogg student conferences and large-scale convenings, including end-to-end planning, execution, and assessment for nationally and internationally recognized events such as the Private Equity & Venture Capital Conference (PE/VC) and Kellogg Business of Healthcare Conference (KBHC).
- Managed student organization financial operations, co-sponsorship processes, purchasing, payroll approvals, and budget forecasting.
- Handled vendor selection, contracts, and negotiations for catering, space reservations, travel logistics, and on-site execution to create a high-quality participant experience.
Business Administrator – Student Services
Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Partnered with the Director of Student Services to support 55+ law student organizations and multiple annual journal symposia
- Served as a key advisor to diverse student affinity organizations (15), supporting inclusive programming and leadership development
- Coordinated orientation, convocation, admitted students week, and diverse student orientation to enhance student onboarding and engagement
- Collaborated with the Blum Legal Clinic and departments across Pritzker to develop and promote diversity-focused programs, inclusion initiatives, and cross-cultural workshops
- Managed logistics, marketing, and financial oversight for student organization programming, ensuring successful events and resource allocation
- Developed and launched Law School’s first mobile orientation app, increasing access and facilitating communication among students
- Recognized twice with Staff Excellence Award of the Year
Program Coordinator
Institute for Sustainability & Energy at Northwestern
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Coordinated HR actions from hiring to termination, including Visa applications, payroll processing, and onboarding documentation to ensure compliance and smooth transitions
- Developed and maintained purchase orders and shipment analytics for 20 Chemistry Labs in ISEN
- Managed daily operations of student employees and temporary staff, ensuring task completion and support for departmental needs
- Oversaw procurement and facilities coordination, tracking budget allocations and expenditures for projects exceeding $2M annually
Human Resources Coordinator
Northwestern University
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Advised candidates and hiring managers on recruitment and onboarding processes, ensuring compliance with institutional policies
- Managed full-cycle recruitment process, ensuring adherence to compliance standards
- Planned and coordinated Human Resources events, enhancing engagement through job fairs, orientations, and workshops
Senior Financial Analyst – United Kingdom Division
Enova Financial
01.2006 - 01.2012
- Managed complex data analysis and reporting to enhance analytical rigor and ensure budget discipline
- Developed and optimized SQL scripts, indexes, and complex queries for data investigations and fraud reporting
- Analyzed financial data to support strategic decision-making processes.
- Developed financial models to project future performance and trends.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to improve budgeting practices.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration -
Clark Atlanta University
Skills
- Event coordination
- Project management
- Strategic planning
- Budget management
- Financial forecasting
- Policy development
- Team leadership
- Professional development
Honors And Recognition
- SOC Exceptional Staff Award, 2024
- Kellogg School of Management Exceptional Staff Member of the Year, 2022
- Pritzker School of Law Student Bar Association Staff Member of the Year, 2017
- Pritzker School of Law Student Bar Association Staff Member of the Year, 2018
Timeline
Business Administrator III – Theatre & Performance Studies
Northwestern University
01.2022 - Current
Assistant Director – Student Services
Kellogg School of Management
01.2018 - 01.2022
Business Administrator – Student Services
Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
01.2016 - 01.2018
Program Coordinator
Institute for Sustainability & Energy at Northwestern
01.2014 - 01.2016
Human Resources Coordinator
Northwestern University
01.2012 - 01.2014
Senior Financial Analyst – United Kingdom Division
Enova Financial
01.2006 - 01.2012
Bachelor of Business Administration -
Clark Atlanta University