Cara Richards Email & Phone Number

Washington, Dc, Us

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Partner with Dean of School of Business, Vice Deans, faculty program directors, the Executive Director for Career Services, and the Executive Director for Global and Experiential Education on development of strategic initiatives for all areas of student and career services for over 1600 graduate students in 11 specialized Master’s programs and 27 graduate certificates. Oversee and coordinate student advisement and create strategic plan focused on student mentoring and career development. Ensure all programs in compliance with accreditation, university and school standards, and policies. Contribute to the development and launch of academic programs. Compile data and statistics for program and school rankings, including Financial Times, the Economist, and Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). Represent GWSB Graduate Programs within and outside the University including attending and presenting at conferences, networking events, and sitting on committees.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Collaborated with Dean, Associate Deans, and faculty program directors on management of student services, planning of strategic initiatives, and budget development. Managed a team of six program managers handling the coordination of Specialized Master’s programs; and merit-based aid coordinator focused on awarding and processing merit-based aid and endowed awards. Provided administrative leadership in areas of curriculum development, institutional assessment and improvement, human resources, and budget and finance.Selected committees:• GWSB Diversity Council• GWSB Curriculum Committee• GWU Banner Advisory Committee

Washington D.C. Metro Area

In consultation with the Dean, Associate Deans, and MBA Advisory Committee, provided strategic direction for program in alignment with the School’s and University’s mission and values. Organized, planned, and set priorities for the allocation of resources, leading a team of six staff members including the Senior Associate Director for Student Engagement, Events Coordinator, Assistant Director for MBA Programs, and three academic advisors. Oversaw student services strategies for ~900 MBA students in five distinct programs, included ~300 online students. Developed and implemented program budgets, staffing, policies, and procedures. Represented MBA Programs within and outside the University. Continued reorganization of MBA academic advising team including internal staff structure, process improvement, and incorporating duties for online Healthcare MBA program. Developed annual budgets and tracked total revenue totaling $18.8M.Selected committees:• MBA Advisory Committee• GWSB Curriculum Committee• GWU Banner Advisory Committee• GWU DegreeMap Advisory Committee

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Led initial reorganization of MBA academic advising team, covering the redistribution of duties, streamlining workflow, creating new positions including an Assistant Director for MBA Programs, launching of new curriculum, and new reporting structure. Managed academic advising for ~900 MBA students in five distinct MBA programs. Maintained MBA student records to ensure integrity and confidentiality. Oversaw onboarding, registration, graduation clearance process, and degree conferral for MBA program.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Developed, implemented, and managed student service strategies including admissions, academic affairs/advising, and merit-based aid for 600+ master’s, PhD, and certificate students. Managed the admissions recruiting, processing and decision notification for 2000+ biomedical graduate applications per year. Managed the awarding and tracking of stipend (both institutional and federal) and tuition scholarships awarded by the Office of Biomedical Graduate Education. Created and managed the maintenance of web content for biomedical graduate education. Developed and managed annual budgets totaling $18.7M.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Developed, implemented, and managed student service strategies for ~3800 master’s, PhD, and certificate students. Effectively managed the all functions within Academic affairs including the Coordinator for Academic Affairs and Assistant Director for Financial Aid. Collaborated with the Registrar, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and program coordinators to ensure a seamless student experience. Monitored all current graduate students’ academic progress and managed the academic warning and dismissal process. Coordinated and supervised preparations for the annual Graduate School Commencement Ceremony including degree clearance and diploma distribution.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Primary advisor for approximately 300 SSP graduate students advising on issues pertaining to academic policies, procedures and requirements. Tracked and monitored academic progress of all students within the program, and provided guidance to students who are struggling to maintain academic requirements. Developed and maintained course schedule.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Fairfax, Va

Schenectady, Ny

Iowa City, Ia

Master Of Arts (M.A.), Russian, Central European, East European And Eurasian Studies

Master Of Arts (M.A.), Public Policy

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Russian Studies, Political Science