Willow King Locke previously served in roles on the IU campus in Indianapolis. Photo by Indiana University The Indiana University Office of the Vice President for Student Success named Willow King Locke as university director of career development and work-based learning. King Locke began in her new role June 3, serving as an integral part of university-wide efforts in student success.

In this role, King Locke will work closely with the IU Career Services Alliance, partnering with campus-based career services units to lead initiatives that support career exploration, career advising and internship opportunities across all IU campuses in support of IU 2030 strategic plan goals.

“We are fortunate to have Willow joining the team,” said Matthew Rust, associate vice president for student navigation and support. “She is well-respected as a collaborative leader and brings a wealth of experience leading student-facing and employer-facing career services in multiple units on the Indianapolis campus, in addition to prior experience at both larger and smaller campuses.”

Before this role, King Locke served as assistant dean of professional development at the IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law and led career services for the School of Science and the School of Engineering and Technology, all on the Indianapolis campus. In these roles, King Lock gained experience designing equitable student career counseling; building employer partnerships with industry, nonprofit and government; facilitating experiential learning opportunities; and using career services management platforms to efficiently and effectively deliver career services to stakeholders.

King Locke also chaired the IUPUI Career Services Council, leading collaborative efforts across the distributed network of career services offices on campus. She is a 2017 graduate of the IUPUI Next Generation 2.0 Leadership Development Program. She began her career in the career center at Ball State University.

Outside IU, King Locke has served in leadership roles with Career Development Professionals of Indiana and maintains involvement with the National Association for Law Placement, the National Association of Colleges and Employers, and the Midwest Association of Colleges and Employers. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and a master’s degree in student affairs and higher education from The Ohio State University.

“I am excited to join the OVPSS team in this new role to help move forward strategic priorities for career services across IU,” King Locke said. “I look forward to strengthening existing relationships and developing new relationships with hard-working colleagues across the university.”