Professional Experience

Development and Community Relations Database and Office Administrator/Grants Manager 

RCMA, Immokalee, FL

August 2022 – November 2023 

• Developed custom fundraising reports and assisted with generating reports for quarterly Board Meetings.   

• Worked with stakeholders to develop systems and provide effective solutions to solve internal challenges with outreach, communication, and engagement. 

• Provided complex database management, including maintenance of the database and monitoring of functions.  

• Prepared complex database queries, exports, and imports custom and canned reports to support department needs, including preparing event and gift reports. 

• Developed custom fundraising reports, and database reports, and assisted with generating board reports for quarterly Board Meetings. Managed grant portfolio, including grant writing, implementation tracking, and impact reporting. 

• Worked with outside vendors (Blackbaud, etc.) in all areas related to databases, online opportunities, etc. 

• Processed gifts and acknowledgment letters using Raiser’s Edge. 

• Researched, analyzed, and integrated current local data and program data to develop narratives and outcomes for grant proposals. 

• Worked with Raisers Edge database to collect and review data. 

• Designed and implemented project management tools (Trello) to organize and track department programs and projects. 

Committee Responsibilities

2022-2023 - DEI Committee

2023 - Disability Employee Resource Group  

Director of TRIO Student Support Services

Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, IL

October 2018 - August 2022

• Designed, implemented, and monitored student support services.

• Provided leadership to implement grant objectives.

• Developed and administered budget within both Federal and college guidelines.

• Collaborated with Student Persistence, Advising, Admissions, Disability Services, and Financial Aid Office to promote retention and graduation of underrepresented students.

• Established protocols for holistic and inclusive advising services including the development of an online advising agenda based on the Six Pillars of Health (Emotional, Physical, Mental, Social, Environmental, Spiritual).

• Collected data, assessed, and evaluated program effectiveness to implement changes and improve services.

• Prepared annual data and reports to the Department of Education.

• Guided program advisors on best practices based on the literature, research, and Department of Education regulations and requirements. 

• Maintained detailed confidential documents and records on student and staff-related expenditures and activities.

• Designed, planned, and facilitated key educational activities for students, staff, and faculty in collaboration with internal and external partners.

• Prepared and submitted annual reports to the Department of Education. 

• Developed a proposal to implement additional strategies to increase the retention of underrepresented students. Proposal approved and implemented in 2021.

• Wrote a grant proposal on behave of the college and received $1,675,550 from the U.S. Department of Education to serve underrepresented students for 5 years.

Committee Responsibilities

2020 - Planning and Design Task Force For Anti-Racism Program Implementation 

2018 - Present - Kalish Scholarship Committee

2019 - Present - Title IX Committee

2018 -  Strive For College (Liaison with I'm First) 

Awards

2020 - Wrote a 5-year grant proposal to the Department of Education competition and received the award to provide additional services to low-income, first-generation, and students with disabilities.

Director of Federal Grants – TRIO Regular, TRIO Disability, and TRIO Teacher Preparation

Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL

January 2015 – June 2018

• Directed three TRIO Student Support Service Programs serving first-generation, low-income, and students with disabilities.

• Developed and coordinated comprehensive goals, procedures, programming, and services designed to facilitate student transition, retention, and graduation.

• Monitored grants to ensure compliance with programming requirements, regulations, records, budgets, policies, and procedures. 

• Provided leadership, delegated, evaluated, and trained staff ensuring daily operational success, high levels of customer services, Federal and university compliance, and timely and effective services.

• Advocated for grant compliance and student success.

• Achieved in the 2015-2016 grant year an average of 90% retention and 93% good academic standing for low-income, first-generation, and students with disabilities for all three grants.

Committee Responsibilities

2017 – 2018 – Undergraduate Retention Intervention Teen

2015 – 2018– Member, Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress

2013 – 2018 – Member, Diversity Council 

2014 – 2015 – Member and content contributor, (dis)ABILITY Project 

2013 – 2014 – Member, Assessment Committee 

Enrollment Coordinator – TRIO Student Support Services Disability 

Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL

January 2011 – December 2014

• Advised students on class selection and graduation requirements.

• Designed, prepared, and delivered orientation classes. 

• Developed and coordinated comprehensive programming and services designed to facilitate student development, transition, retention, and graduation.

• Developed and managed a student tracking database system. 

• Recruited, hired, trained, and supervised tutors and mentors.

• Assessed skills, attitudes, and behaviors of students with disabilities to create strategies to improve academic progress, retention, and graduation.

• Developed training and evaluations for best practices when working with adults with disabilities. 

Title V Project Transition Coordinator/Cohort Advisor/Administrative Assistant

Governors State University, University Park, IL

November 2008 – December 2010

• Worked closely with the Activity Director preparing budget proposals, reports, and inventories. 

• Developed and managed a tracking system using Microsoft Access to organize data from cohort members, staff, mentors, faculty, and activities and to comply with the grant requirements. 

• Managed comprehensive programming of services designed to facilitate student transition.

• Advised students in career assessment, goal setting, and transfer requirements to GSU. 

• Recruited and counseled students regarding financial aid and academic issues.

• Facilitated faculty development training and peer mentoring programs.

• Coordinated the Early Intervention System and tutoring support to provide timely assistance.

• Developed and managed an Online Learning Community using WebCT.

Adjunct Faculty/Portuguese Instructor  

Lewis University, Romeoville, IL

August 2008 – December 2008

• Promoted a learner-centered model in the classroom in which teacher and students work together to identify students’ needs and expected use of language.

• Created a website with free online resources and posted syllabi, exercises, and practice materials on WebCT, motivating students to actively work toward language improvement.

• Encouraged participation by stimulating cultural awareness and including students’ interest and curiosity about countries that speak the language being taught.

• Applied an integrated approach focusing on a combination of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in classroom activities that imitate real-world language use. 

Business Manager

American Bodywork Institute, Bradley, IL

November 2001 – December 2007

• Interviewed families, recruited, and helped students and parents with academic and financial advising. 

• Organized and maintained confidential school documents of students and personnel files.

• Created advertisements for the local newspaper and magazines to promote the school. 

• Developed and coordinated the school website, online classes, and online social network.

• Designed class contents, syllabi, exams, assignments, and extracurricular activities. 

• Evaluated students regarding Massage Therapy, Reflexology, Acupressure, and Stress Management techniques, clients’ interviews and assessments, punctuality, and self-presentation.  

• Used QuickBooks to record bookkeeping, generate financial reports, and manage payroll, accounts payable, and receivable. 

Developmental Trainer

United Developmental Service, Kankakee, IL

March 2006 – March 2007

• Supervised activities and provided basic instructions to adults with developmental disabilities.

• Monitored health and safety procedures and provided transportation from and to facilities.

• Served as a Spanish/English interpreter for individuals during evaluations and/or conflicts. 

Additional Work Experience

• Manager, Monlean Cabeleireiros, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, February 1998 – November 2001

• Training Coordinator/Computer Instructor, Consultware Planejamentos Logicos Ltda, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, January 1993 - January 1998

• Computer Instructor, SOS Computadores, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, January 1998 – December 1998

• Computer Teacher, Ricardense High School, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, March 1998 – October 1998

• Administrative Assistant, LCF Confeccoes Ltda, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, March 1993 – August 1993

• Computer Instructor/Internship in Computer Technology, Vocational School Virginia Patrick, September 1989 – December 1992

• Internship/Computer Technology, Andaimes Ltda, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jan. 1989 – Sep. 1989

Volunteer Experience

• Heartlight Program, Children’s Memorial Hospital, March 2010 to December 2011

• Restorative Justice Implementation, Governor State University, May 2009 – December 2010

• Mentoring Program, Morton College, Cicero, IL, August 2008 – May 2009

• Portuguese Interpreter, Divaldo Pereira Franco, Aurora, IL, February 18, 2006