At MissionEB, we love to share stories of inspiring career growth that reflect perseverance and dedication. Alley Bardon’s journey from Web Content Administrator to Assistant Vice President of Marketing at Lindenwood University is a perfect example of how embracing every opportunity and pushing beyond comfort zones can lead to amazing results.
Alley’s story began just after she graduated from college. With only a year of professional experience under her belt, she applied for a role at her alma mater, Lindenwood University. The position of Web Content Administrator wasn’t exactly what she had envisioned, but it was a chance to contribute to the university she loved. She stepped into the role knowing it could lead to something bigger, and two and a half years later, her supervisor encouraged her to apply for a newly created Social Media Manager position that better aligned with her marketing background.
This set the tone for a series of promotions that would lead Alley through roles as Digital Marketing Specialist and Integrated Marketing Manager. Along the way, she earned her MBA in Marketing, became the Staff Council Chair, and even started working toward her PhD in Leadership with a Business concentration. Each opportunity gave her more experience and confidence in her ability to lead.
Then came a pivotal moment in Alley’s career when her supervisor announced he was leaving. He had been grooming her to take over, but the transition came sooner than expected. Alley stepped into the interim Assistant Vice President role, keeping her team on track through the transition and maintaining the positive culture they had built together. After three months, she applied for the permanent role and earned it, solidifying her position as Assistant Vice President of Marketing at Lindenwood.
“I never took my foot off the pedal when it came to gaining momentum, as I wanted to continue to grow both personally and professionally.”
One of the key elements of Alley’s leadership success has been her hands-on experience across various roles within the marketing and communications team. Having worked in many of the positions she now oversees, Alley is able to understand the challenges her team members face and provide meaningful solutions. This level of empathy and insight has helped her lead the team more effectively.
“Because I have had direct experience working in so many of the roles, I am able to better understand the challenges each of these roles may face and create solutions that are going to be more impactful."
Lindenwood University’s culture has also been a significant factor in Alley’s career growth. The university encourages professional development, requires employees to complete 40 hours of training annually, and offers financial support for further education. This human-centered approach to career development has allowed Alley to align her strengths with her professional goals, creating a fulfilling career path within the organization.
“Lindenwood has been incredibly supportive in growing me in my career. They are adaptable and not afraid to align positions to employee strengths,”
Alley says, appreciating how the university fosters an environment that encourages internal promotions.
Looking back on her journey, Alley is proud of how far she has come, both professionally and personally. Her story is one of resilience, continuous learning, and never settling for comfort. She continues to push herself and advises others to do the same, believing that confidence, hard work, and humility can take you further than you ever imagined.
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