Mason Ely is serious about leadership, and he’s serious about using it to lift those around him.
While he is graduating in December, a semester early, he’s not done with his college education or with Illinois State University just yet. Not long after he changes out of his cap and gown, he’ll start up again in the spring as a new alum and MBA student.
A human resources (HR) management major in the College of Business, Ely, a native of Amboy in Northern Illinois transferred to Illinois State from Sauk Valley Community College. He chose his major after some consideration of how he might help people.
“At Sauk, I was on a path for a business administration degree, but once I got here, I learned that human resources management majors can help others and shape cultures within organizations. So, I was drawn to that,” he said.
His goal is to build an HR career that combines his education and his leadership development with the organizational culture of his employer.
“I’ve learned a lot of data-driven problem-solving, and I want to create an environment where employees feel welcome and can succeed,” Ely said.
One of the best things to happen to him at Illinois State was landing a job in the Office of the President shortly after transferring here in August 2024.
He said his duties for President Aondover Tarhule’s office have included greeting visitors; communicating on the phone with community members, students, and parents; and acting as the main point of contact before visitors meet with the president. Ely also performs administrative tasks like filing, scanning, setting up the president’s conference room, and getting the mail.
He’s been inspired by his supervisors and other staff members in the office, noting that he owes special thanks to Rachel Caracci ’06, MBA ’13, director of presidential and trustee events.
“Rachel Caracci has been super inspirational and helpful with internships and professional experiences,” Ely said. “She’s always been so supportive and really helped me figure out what’s best for me when it came to picking an internship.”
“I believe that every small ripple of positive change has an impact on others’ thought perspective, which may spark change.”
Mason Ely
Dr. Byron Craig, interim chief equity and inclusion officer, knows Ely from his job in the President’s Office and has been impressed with his outlook on life, his leadership, and his interest in helping others.
“Mason firmly believes in the power of uplifting his community,” Craig said. “He organized and led a symposium in his hometown that concentrated on leadership called Rise and Redefine: Leadership in Motion. From that symposium, Mason was able to raise and donate funds to an amazing local organization in his hometown called Teen Turf and help it continue its work with teens.”
Helping people seems innate to Ely. Consider the event Craig was referring to that Ely organized last summer. He created a leadership and motivational experience for younger students back home. Ely led and taught workshops on leading through change, mastering the art of speaking up, and managing up in meetings, was the event’s host, and one of the three keynote speakers.
“We donated $1,000 to a local nonprofit, and that meant the most to me,” Ely said. “I wanted people to walk away with new lessons, a sense of empowerment, and a drive to be better leaders. I believe deeply in our generation’s potential. I believe that every small ripple of positive change has an impact on others’ thought perspective, which may spark change.”
Ely chose Illinois State for a couple of reasons. First, he knew that the College of Business was strong, but it was also important to him that campus isn’t too far from his hometown.
“It’s decently close to home,” he said. “I wanted stay close to my community and remain connected there.”
It also helped that he was awarded the William J. Motchar Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship, established in 2016 by William J. Motchar ’85, supports undergraduate majors in the College of Business with a preference for students from small communities. Ely called transferring to Illinois State a big transition but one of the most rewarding experiences he’s had.
“COB felt like the perfect place,” he said. “Community came from professors, from (registered student organizations), and by making friends with people who have similar goals and values. ISU is full of people who want to support you if you want to put yourself out there. I was encouraged to take on new challenges, and I embraced taking on my major fully.”
Inspiration has come from his family and friends and from the people he’s been able to help along the way.
“My family has definitely inspired me and the people who have believed in me and stood by me,” he said. “Their encouragement continues to inspire and drive me.”
Ely said he’s kind of boring outside of school and work.
“I like to work on my leadership skills,” he said. “And I like hanging with friends and trying new restaurants.”
He’s not sure what will happen after he completes his MBA, but he said he plans to always work on self- improvement, and he wants to find ways to do public speaking on the side.
“As for a job, I don’t really know yet, but I have an open mindset,” Ely said. “The right offer at the right time will lead me.”
Craig sees a bright future ahead for Ely.
“Mason is ambitious, and I am very proud of the work he continues as he gives back to his hometown,” he said. “I’m also very happy that he will continue his education as an MBA student here as a Redbird.”
This story is from a series of profiles featuring Redbirds who are graduating this December. For more information about how Illinois State is celebrating commencement, visit the Graduation Services website.
