IND-201 - Self-Designed Degree Program PlanningDevelops the academic plan of study including concentration selection for General Studies programIncorporates personal and professional career goals to further justify course selectionsEstablished interdisciplinary program of study in an adult learning environmentManages class of 25-50 students per term, with a 98% pass rate, teaching and advising students on goal setting, time management, and how to become unique inquiry-driven learnersEstablished interdisciplinary program of study Assists students with establishing a self-designed major in General Studies with a concentration in a discipline in his or her choiceAssists students in developing competence in written communication and quantitative reasoning

🫂In this role, I get to continue my work in the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion space as an EDI consultant and collaborate with leaders across the university to drive employee engagement and ensure that belonging is embedded in all of our strategies, initiatives, and programs. 📊 I leverage data to make informed decisions when developing and executing initiatives that optimize the people experience and unite a diverse, nationally distributed team. 🎉 I also drive the strategic direction of our employee networks to include Employee Resource Groups, Communities of Connection, Communities of Interest, and Communities of Practice.

Presentation topic “Elevating your JOY while Navigating through Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.”

🔋In this role, I get to continue doing work bigger than myself. I focus squarely on equity and inclusion issues for SNHU’s diverse learners and employees, with a particular emphasis on populations that have been historically underrepresented in higher education.🤲🏽I am also responsible for overseeing critical projects designed to advance equitable policies, practices, and protocols at SNHU to increase representation, retention, and success for underrepresented employees, as well as help design learning and development opportunities.👩🏽‍🔧I oversee and govern the strategic development, implementation, and execution of the strategic programs and initiatives of SNHU’s diverse employee resource groups. I also develop the vision, mission, objectives, and action plans. I am passionate about leadership development, and I work to upskill each ERG officer in strategic planning, team building, and change resilience.

Shares insights from the first-generation student perspective on: Marginalized groups of adult learners Military LearnersAfrican American/ Black learners

Partner of Engage and Develop Workstream Shares insights from a virtual perspective on the following topics: Technology utilization Internal marketing to improve employee engagement

Shares insights from a virtual perspective on the following topics:o Employee engagement trendso Employee Recognition Mapping for a Distributed Workforceo Distributed Workforce Engagement Strategies

The U.S. Military is one of the most diverse organizations in the world. My number one goal was to ensure that our marketing efforts remained inclusive of this very diverse population and that prospective military learners continued to be heard and felt seen throughout their educational careers. 62% of student Veterans are first-generation college students, so I worked to develop webinar programming to address the needs and common questions that would help these learners move forward in their educational pursuits. Relationship-building was also important to maintain within my territory that stretched from Alaska to Idaho, so I made it a personal mission to meet and connect with organizations within the military community and military friendly employers systematically assist with increasing enrollment in existing degree and certificate programs. In an effort to create equity for graduating spouses and service members, I would partner with military bases so SNHU students could attend commencement ceremonies in their local areas.

Meets with senior executive and key decision makers in potential and existing partnerships to understand the educational needs of military communities in WA, OR, UT, ND, SD, MT, HI, and AK. Oversees the development and delivery of customized solutions that meet the needs of each partnership to maximize the satisfaction of the military community. Fosters relationships with organizations within the military community and military-friendly employers to systematically assist with increasing enrollment in existing degree and certificate programs. Connects with military personnel and their family members to identify education gaps and assist with enrollment in online degree programs.Carries out regional business strategies to develop and maintain business opportunities within the assigned regional geographic area. This includes working with Military Education Offices, Campus Directors, and military executives to identify and target potential opportunities to support the military community. Attends and participates in national and regional professional and business organization conferences and symposiums to represent SNHU capabilities and drive new business development.

Manages undergraduate and graduate military-affiliated student population covering a span of over 200 degree and certificate programs including STEM, business, and other curriculum areasApplies various coaching models including the FUEL and GROW models based on individual student needsLeads military career advising team of three as subject matter expert, providing training on how to advise military-affiliated student population by measuring the performance of annual cohorts and assigned vertical workUtilizes career counseling techniques for student population including mock interviews, resume reviews/revisions, cover letters, and job search strategies which have led to a 94% employed status for the 17/18 cohort and 76% in field rateDevelops student success content for introduction humanities courses to prepare students for a successful transition out of the military

Developed new business opportunities with “Military Friendly” employers and in the corporate vertical, strategic partnership acquisition and activation, annual new employer partnership goal attainment, developing 'Go to Market' strategies (new business offerings), such as webinar presentations, hiring events, etc.Contributed to the success of regional, virtual, and military-specific hiring fairs, nationwideCrafted individualized business plans to extend and grow into new, different, and emerging employer partnership verticals. Created webinars with employers nationwide for better brand recognition and recruitment

Established quality assurance programs for all SNHU Career social media communications across all channels and platformsManaged SNHU Career Social Media and Blog Teams of 14 by reviewing, revising, advising, publishing and promoting blog posts through all social media promotion channelsMarkets and promotes departmental events through social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, SNHU Connect, and Blogging that strengthen employer relationshipsIntroduced “Military Friendly” employer initiative to target companies and organizations who hire our military affiliated student/alumni populationTrained career services department on new departmental initiatives to strengthen employment opportunities for entire student and alumni populationDeveloped SNHU Career Social Media and Communications Initiatives for COCE’s 70,000+ student and alumni population Created opportunities for strategic alliances, collaborations, and partnerships with employers, and individual student and alumni segments, including degree programs and military affiliations

Broadened SNHU Career’s reach for scalability purposes by engaging students and thought leaders on social media platforms such as: Facebook, Twitter, Word Press, and SNHU ConnectManaged SNHU Career Blog Team of 6 by reviewing, revising, advising, and promoting blog posts through all social media promotion channelsServiced 50,000+ student population on career planning, advancement, resumes, interviewing and beyondDesigned, implemented and followed up on postings and promotions across each social media channel Created and facilitated Career communications to students via mySNHU “Virtual Advisor.”Provided leadership and training to new members of the Career Social Media team to facilitate opportunities for team members to implement components of the Career social media strategyCreator of SNHU Career monthly student newsletter

Empowered learners to believe that anything is possible through resume guidance, interviewing skills, and career exploration with an 80% success rate Career Advisor for students in the following programs:• Graduate Marketing• Graduate Communication and related concentrations• Social Media Graduate Certificate• International MBA – Internet Marketing• International MBA - Marketing

Radical Joy Network LLC seeks to create inclusive spaces within organizations to increase retention and engagement. We accomplish this by practicing deep understanding and awareness of others by educating leadership and teams on practicing inclusion and belonging.

Growing up, Dr. Kendra Thomas believed she was the “poster child of happiness.” Flash forward to 2022, when, in a hospital room, a dying loved one said the words that would change her life. This earth-shifting moment catapulted Kendra into a journey of self-discovery, where joy and grief could coexist, and the relationships she’d built took on an entirely new meaning. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx Dr. Kendra Thomas, is a joy practitioner, mom, and Gloria’s daughter. A military veteran and higher education expert, she has worked at Southern New Hampshire University for over a decade, where she leads initiatives focused on employee networks, retention, and engagement. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

DE&I aren't new terms or a way of life, yet it can be challenging to have difficult conversations about lived experiences, biases, and being othered in educational and professional spaces as a military student. The military student will be centered in online and ground campus settings, highlighting the many benefits of DE&I in higher education and how administrators, staff, and faculty can individualize the military student experience while focusing on scalability.

I presented on “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Military Learner,” which explored identities that impact the educational experiences of military-affiliated learners.

DE&I Panelist for OPM's Federal Academic Alliance on Engaging, Developing, and Managing a Diverse Workforce.

I was the keynote speaker for the Operation Homefront "Homefront Celebration," which honors military spouses and awards one military spouse a full-ride scholarship. My discussion topic was "Finding your identity as a military spouse."

Engaged in discussion on how diversity, equity, and inclusion each play a role in creating a better workplace.

Presented on “The Big 8" Social Identities in the Workplace.”

Ensures that Washington's women veterans have equitable access to federal and state veterans' services and benefits.The goals are to:Perform outreach to improve women veterans' awareness of eligibility for federal and state veterans' services and benefits;Assess the needs of women veterans with respect to improve the Women Veterans Program;Make recommendations to the Director to improve benefits and services;Review programs, research projects, and other initiatives designed to address or meet the needs of women veterans;Incorporate women veterans' issues in the Department's strategic plan;andParticipate in National forums and committees for women veterans.The program shall provide assistance to women who served in the United States Armed Forces or in forces incorporated as part of the United States Armed Forces, and who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

Developed content for the following 400 level courses Fundamentals in Contracting and Acquisition Acquisition Management Program Appraisal Information Assurance Global and Competitive Strategy

Established Career Services on Lillington Campus to include monthly career-oriented workshops, community outreach with employers, and assisting students and alumni with job search strategiesInitiated development of Pathways program in collaboration with the TRIO departmentAssisted in planning and coordinating the annual career fair, which had over 76 businesses participateDeveloped and facilitated workshops on Job Search strategies including interviewing skills, first impressions & branding, Introduction to LinkedIn, and resume writingLaunched first career workshop on Central Carolina Community College Lillington campus, which yielded 116 students; the highest number of volunteer participants from all campuses combined

Led two direct reports in Student and Career Services departmentsManaged training team of 2-15 Placement Directors for CampusVue softwareAchieved 80% placement rate increase by building trust with current students and alumniCollaborated with the Department of Admissions and Financial Aid to onboard new student starts, and developed a retention plan of action to re-engage active student body Partnered with instructors to develop coaching plans to prepare for internship and externshipsManaged training budget for Lawton campusPlanned and facilitated quarterly Advisory Board meetings to conduct needs assessments and maintaining accreditation guidelines, as well as strengthen employer partnershipsImproved retention rates by 30% by training student and career service coordinators as well as instructors on how to conduct business with students, and local businesses for student success Facilitated instruction to first year student population with 100% pass rateTaught credited course for Allied Health students to guarantee and ensure internship successCurriculum included the following areas of practice: Career planning, interest inventory, values inventory, goal setting, college/career action planning, resume development, and interviewingProvided one-on-one support to student population as needed

Honorable DischargeActive Duty & Inactive Reserve