Lesley Gilbert

Lesley Gilbert was born and raised in Huntington, West Virginia. She attended Simms Elementary and Spring Hill Elementary schools, Lincoln Junior High School, and graduated from Huntington High School. She attended Marshall University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and master’s degree in Counseling with a specialization in Higher Education.

From an early age she was instilled with a drive to serve others and help in the community. She was a member of Saint Peter Claver Catholic church where she was a Lector, Secretary of the Parish Council, and a CCD teacher. She volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and during WPBY telethons would answer phones with friends.

During her Undergraduate and Graduate time at Marshall University she served on numerous campus committees and Student Affairs committees as a student representative including the Homecoming committee and served as the MU Online Yearbook Advisor. It was also during this time that she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., which she has been a member for more than thirty years.

Her upbringing prepared her well as she moved and began working at Northern Illinois University and during her almost twenty-five years on campus planned major campus activities and events for students, their families, and the community. She provided training and events for the Division of Finance and Facilities, including an annual staff appreciation event and new employee orientations. In her current role, she is the Assistant Director of Employee Well-Being, where she works planning events for the campus Communiversity (faculty, staff, students, and community members) and conducts and oversees the office’s trainings for the campus, including the Supervisor Training Program cohort group and well-being lunch events. She also has served on a number of campus committees including the Presidential Commission for the Status of Minorities (PCSM), the Presidential Commission on Well-Being, the Supportive Professional Staff (SPS) Council on several committees and as the Council Secretary for five years. She is a member of the University Women’s Club, Black Faculty & Staff Association (BFSA), and is a recent member of the NIU Athletic Board to list just a fraction of her campus involvement.

Moving to Illinois did not end her service to others. She is a member of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church where she is a Lector. She is an emeritus member of the local hospital’s Auxiliary Board, where she was first a member, served one year as the President-Elect, and two years as the Auxiliary President. Following her term as Auxiliary President, she continued to volunteer her time in the hospital gift shop. She is currently in her second term as a member of the local Credit Union Board Director and serves on several Board committees, including Chairing the Supervisory Committee.

Even though she works for a different university, everyone knows she forever bleeds Marshall green and white. In her spare time when not following Marshall events, she is a certified Walk Leader, enjoys music and music events, crafting, cooking, and baking, photography, travel, movies, and time with family and friends.