Isabel's House director takes diversity post at Drury

Francine Pratt, executive director of Springfield nonprofit Isabel's House, has accepted a position with Drury University.

Pratt, who also is a former president of the Springfield chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, has been selected as program coordinator for Drury's Scholars program, an enrichment program for black middle-school students in Springfield.

Bruce Callen, associate dean of Drury, said this morning that the responsibilities for the newly created position include making connections with community organizations and businesses, as well as coordinating logistics and scheduling. Pratt started the part-time position July 2.

"Francine's got a lot of experience and history in our community as well as her previous work experience, in working with young people and their families, in having a lifelong commitment to helping young people fully develop," Callen said.

Pratt said the role is "near and dear" to her heart and fills a community need.

"For me, it's just a wonderful way to give back to the community at this time of my life," Pratt said. "I've always had a passion for young people, especially young people that may have not had the same opportunities that I had growing up."

Drury's Scholars program this year will begin July 30, offering academic and cultural classes, as well as outings. The program was launched in 2008 as an initiative for black males. Led by program directors and Drury professors Callen, Mark Wood, Peter Meidlinger and Charlyn Ingwerson, the initiative since has tripled in size and has been expanded to include young females, according to a university news release.

About a month ago, Pratt scaled back her hours to part-time at Isabel's House to transition toward a new director. Pratt said she will continue to serve as executive director until a new leader is in place, likely in September. She said Isabel's House is searching via the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, CareerBuilder.com and in-house, and the organization would begin interviewing candidates in August.