Phil Marr

As Director for Employer Engagement, I'm focused on building the employer and alumni partnerships that expand what Whitman students see as possible — connecting them to internships, careers and professional relationships that shape their paths long after graduation.

I came to this role with more than a decade of experience working at the intersection of industry and education. At McKinstry, one of the Pacific Northwest's largest built environment companies, I developed and managed corporate education partnerships — working from inside an organization to understand what meaningful collaboration between employers and institutions actually requires. At Degrees of Change, I served as Senior Director of Career Pathways, directing the Strickland Fellowship, a career pathways fellowship bridging higher education, students and industry partners.

Earlier in my career I worked at Communities In Schools of Washington and UW Tacoma, roles that grounded me in youth development and community partnership and shaped how I think about what employer partnerships can do to help students prepare to step into a new professional environment.

At Whitman, that thread continues. My goal is to build partnerships that showcase the value of Whitman students and expand access to the immersive learning experiences that elevate a Whitman education — including Summer in Seattle, our cohort program connecting students to one of the country's most dynamic job markets.