- Able to lead diverse teams, creating supportive environments for growth
- Analytical and evaluation skills for efficient problem solving
- Able to build strong relationships that support collaboration
- Computer literate over a wide array of software applications
- Extremely flexible and adaptable to change
- Shown success in repeated funding of US Department of Education grants
- Created an academic unit focused on supporting students traditionally underrepresented in higher education.
- Successful in 4 TRIO Grant competitions resulting in 6 TRIO grants on campus in the most recent grant cycle
- Managing Project Budgets totaling over $1.5M annually
- Created First Generation (FG) Workgroup, a collaboration of staff across campus departments to support UMBC’s first-generation students
- Facilitated distribution of graduate cords to almost 300 first-generation students in advance of commencement
- Secured graduate assistant and work-study students to assist with planning and implementation of FG Workgroup activities
- Selected to create and facilitate Webinars for new Upward Bound Directors to provide them with a firm start to implement programs
- Developed online course for new directors of existing programs
- Redesigned Adolescent Development presentation to better encompass current research in using Adolescent Development in practice
- Redesigned summer component to save room and board costs while increasing delivery of project components such as financial literacy.
- Increased number of participants from 60 to 151 over two grant cycles
- Increased Upward Bound grant award at UMBC from $1.3M to $3.0M over five years
- Developed Standard Operating Procedures for routine tasks such as payroll and participant recruitment
- Upgraded project website to allow all staff access for editing on the university serve
Responsible for the planning, management, and evaluation of all programs and personnel within the Office of Academic Opportunity Programs. Oversees the direction of projects within the unit through direct supervision of project directors; directly administers federal grants and program management as needed. The role includes oversight and support of proposal writing and budget management, design and establishing policy and procedures in accordance with federal, state, and institutional guidelines, monitoring progress towards each programs’ objectives, reporting extensive information annually to the federal funders, and UMBC
Provide training on TRIO Federal Regulations and connection of OMB Circular to sound financial management of a federal Upward Bound program. Provide one-on-one mentoring for TRIO Directors with less than two years of experience. Assist grantees in reading and interpreting federal regulations (TRIO, EDGAR, OMB, etc.). Develop and conduct webinars on tips for new project directors.
Provide training on TRIO Federal Regulations and connection of OMB Circular to sound financial management of a federal Upward Bound program. Provide one-on-one mentoring for TRIO Directors with less than two years of experience. Assist grantees in reading and interpreting federal regulations (TRIO, EDGAR, OMB, etc.). Develop and conduct webinars on tips for new project directors.
Responsible for the implementation of the Federal TRIO Upward Bound Projects with a budget of over $3.0M across five years. Coordinate the activities and evaluation of 5 full-time staff members, up to 30 part-time staff members, and the academic progress of 151 participants. Assign and develop policies to facilitate the implementation of the UB project within ED and UMBC guidelines. Prepare summative and formative evaluations of project activities to improve project services. Develop promotional materials such as brochures, applications, and recruitment posters used by counseling staff to engage the community. Monitor the recruitment of UB participants by project staff to ensure compliance with ED guidelines for service.
Responsible for coordinating academic and daily operations of the college preparatory program serving Baltimore Metropolitan area youth.
Responsible for coordinating office policies, and procedures and scheduling of academic and administrative staff and students.
Honors: Selected for Golden Key National Honor Society, Fall 2013
Honors:
- Meyerhoff Scholars Program, 1994, merit scholarship
- Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, 1998
Effective Budget Management, Mid-Eastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MEAEOPP) Annual Conference, February 2019
Effective Delegation or How to be More Successful than a Bond Villain, 2019 MEAEOPP Emerging Leaders Institute
Your Path in TRIO: Influencing Your Trajectory, MEAEOPP Annual Conference, April 2016
Unpacking the Baggage of LGBT Students, COE Annual Conference, September 2015 and MEAEOPP Annual Conference, April 2016
Best Practices in Recordkeeping and Data Collection, 2014 Maryland Executive Council for Education Opportunity (MECEO) Professional Development
TRIO Legislation and Regulations for Non-Directors, 2013 MEAEOPP Conference
Peer Leadership in an Upward Bound Program, 2008 MEAEOPP Conference
Effective Communication, 2008 MEAEOPP Emerging Leaders Institute
Successful Conference Planning, 2007 MEAEOPP Emerging Leaders Institute
Effective Delegation, 2005 MEAEOPP Emerging Leaders Institute
Leadership Styles, 2005 MEAEOPP Emerging Leaders Institute
Pre-College Programs for Disadvantaged Youth, 2004 National Association of College Admissions Counselors: Counselors of Color Conference
Member, Search Committee for UMBC Learning Resources Center Math Science Tutoring Center Coordinator, Fall 2018
Steering Committee Lead, First @UMBC- First Generation Support Initiatives, Fall 2018 – present
Member, Search Committee for UMBC Learning Resources Center Associate Director, Spring 2016
Member, Selection Committee for the UMBC Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, 2012
Chair, Search Committee for UMBC Upward Bound Math/Science Program Director, Spring 2009
Member, University Research Council, UMBC, Fall 2005 – Summer 2007
Member, Professional Staff Senate, UMBC, Summer 2005 – Summer 2007
Chair, Search Committee for UMBC Ronald E. McNair Assistant Director, Summer 2005
Interviewer, Meyerhoff Scholarship Selection Weekend, 2000 – 2010, 2013, 2015-19
Advisor, UMBC Chapter NAACP, 2002- 2005
Advisor, UMBC Freedom Alliance, 1998 – 2000