Chamber director goes back to Wabash

Wabash College’s gain is the Chamber of Commerce’s loss. Cassie Hagan, the most recent executive director for the Crawfordsville Chamber, will be the new Director of Professional Development and Center for Innovation, Business, and Entrepreneurship effective Jan. 3.

“Cassie emerged from an exceptional pool of applicants based on her strong record of accomplishments, including her past experiences helping Wabash men prepare for their lives after Wabash,” Wabash President Scott Feller said. “We know that she will hit the ground running and will continue Wabash’s stellar record of helping our graduates find their first destinations in jobs, graduate schools, and service.”

Attempts to reach Chamber Board President Tracy Mobley were unsuccessful.

This is Hagan’s second stint at Wabash. She previously served as Associate Director of Career Services.

“We are delighted to have Cassie return to the Professional Development Team,” said Dean for Professional Development Steven Jones. “Her contributions as Associate Director contributed greatly to the excellent outcomes we achieved between 2013 and 2019. Her most recent experience will allow her to lead the Center for Innovation, Business, and Entrepreneurship (CIBE) with a new perspective on how we continue to grow the CIBE.” 

Hagan’s leadership of the Chamber of Commerce involved a complete rebuild of the staff and board of directors. She led efforts to re-brand the Chamber and helped create new strategies for supporting small businesses and non-profits, made particularly difficult because of the COVID pandemic. She has also worked on a number of community initiatives, including the Mayor’s County-Wide Workforce Development Roundtable, the Early Childhood Education Coalition and events supporting financial and entrepreneurship training for youth.

“I look forward to returning to campus with new experience in non-profit management and leading the Professional Development team into the next chapter of amazing outcomes for Wabash graduates, and all the important steps along the way,” Hagan said. “Wabash is a special place and I don’t think it will come as a surprise to many that know me that I ended up back here. However, two years ago I couldn’t have imagined this detour in my career or how it would ultimately lead me back to campus better prepared to lead.”

Working alongside the late Roland Morin, Hagan helped create Wabash’s professional development program that has resulted in consistent national rankings for the College’s internship program and career services. During her time as Associate Director, she organized and executed innovative Professional Immersion Experiences in Indianapolis, Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, and Denver. She also supervised and trained a staff of 15-25 students comprising the Peer Career Advisors program, and implemented new Career Services Management software programs for the College.

She also helped lead in the development of Wabash’s creative career services programming, including Reverse Career Fair, WabashWorks Recruiters Summit, Etiquette Dinner, Entrepreneurs Summit, Suits & Strikes, Dress Codes 101, Real World Week, Wabash X Indy Tech, Coffee & Careers, Internship Week, Non-Profit Careers Day, and Colts/Pacers/Indians Alumni-Student Networking Events.

Hagan earned her undergraduate degree at Ball State University. She is a graduate of the Montgomery County Leadership Academy (MCLA) and recently served that organization as its president. She is also a member of the board of directors of the Montgomery County Educational Foundation.

“After stepping away for two years to lead the Crawfordsville/Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, I have an even greater appreciation for the potential for Wabash men to find meaningful internships, professional experiences, and business mentors right here in our own county,” Hagan added. “My work with the Chamber has been incredibly rewarding, both professionally and personally. As a Montgomery County native, I will always love the part of my job that brings together these two amazing communities and the people who make them special.”