Institute on Disabilities

*position eliminated due to restructuring Responsible for implementing and supporting HR department functions for a 260-person architecture and engineering firm. Ownership of onboarding and employee orientation, policy development/implementation, and answering employee questions regarding various policies and procedures.Provided coaching and guidance to leaders regarding policies and procedures.Supported hiring managers with job postings and interview support and liaising with colleges.Reviewed and updated HR and employee-related forms to ensure they are current and compliant.Assisted with developing and implementing training and wellness programs.Assisted with updating and maintaining Company Policy Handbook.Scheduled and conducted new employee orientation activities, including meeting arrangements, compilation of new hire paperwork, and working with other departments to coordinate the onboarding experience.Assisted with benchmarking and salary adjustments based on market data.Supported with monthly reporting and data analysis.Developed an office culture of wellness utilizing The Firm's broker and other resources.Supported employee groups and elevate employee concerns to firm leadership.

*position eliminated for outsourcing Led efforts to fulfill strategic plan goals for staff development and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and brought innovative ideas to improve working conditions, compensation, benefits, and pathways designed to retain staff.Maintained systems and records for employee certifications, clearances, and evaluations; planned and administered staff trainings; complied with legal requirements required of employers.Led strategic initiatives to improve the POBS workplace, including assessing and restructuring total compensation.Conducted audit of HR policies to meet best practice guidelines, comply with federal and state legal requirements, and promote sense of belonging and well-being.Designed and implemented comprehensive, ongoing workplace training sessions for administrative and field staff with particular focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-oppression.Provided professional expertise and best practice guidelines to support program staff leadership as they developed and implemented technical training for field staff.-Maintained a regular schedule of internal communications to educate employees on staff resources, policies, and procedures.Created a culture of equity, support, and appreciation for all POBS employees; measured success through regular administration of employee surveys.Investigated and took appropriate action for policy violations and employee performance issues.Ran bi-monthly payroll and kept accurate records.Managed administration of benefits, new employee onboarding, and workers’ compensation claims.Oversaw interview process for all positions; assessed process through an equity lens.Took point on organizing staff year-end celebration and other staff appreciation efforts.Administered regular equity/workplace culture surveys to all staff.Supervised Staffing Manager.(left due to layoff)

Supported faculty and faculty hires, including providing guidance on administrative procedures and ensuring compliance with university policies. Aided in all hiring for the department, utilizing WorkDay and DEI training on equitable hiring.Acted as an advisor and assisted students with enrolling in courses, answering questions about requirements and deadlines, and providing general support throughout the enrollment processAssisted with editing publications, such as brochures and pamphletsSupervised office staff and student workers (5 total)Put together several lecture series interacting with high-level Landscape Architecture professionals, maintained clear communication with lecturers, and arranged for any technology or space needs.Tracked academic progress and managed poor performance in collaboration with facultyOversaw the operating budget and overall office managementServed as a member of the Diversity Committee and Co-Chair of the Staff Engagement Committee at the school, focusing on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion and fostering a positive work environment for staff members.

*promoted to Associate DirectorOrganized the departmental lecture series, symposium, student events, receptions, department orientations, open houses, and commencement activities.Oversaw the studio course mid and final reviews, ordered catering as needed, and processed limited engagement fee payments to guest critics and course guest speakers. Collaborated with the Department Coordinator and Administrative Assistant to produce a variety of print communications, ranging from event posters to the annual Landscapes in Process catalog and the Department Handbook. Supported the Department Chair and Coordinator with the department-level admissions by facilitating the application review process, fielding inquiries from prospective students, and tracking admissions decisions. Provided administrative support to the Department Coordinator with faculty meetings, course scheduling and registration, student issues, faculty advising, studio travel, hiring, purchasing and reimbursements etc.Was responsible for maintaining the department’s web presence by updating the department’s web pages, creating blog posts, and supporting other social media.

*sought a high-level position at the same institutionProvided high-level administrative support to a cohort-based executive doctorate program in higher education management.Was responsible for day-to-day logistics related to program operations and front-line contact with prospects, current students, alumni, faculty and staff.Managed the smooth delivery of an academic experience for 24 students through 20+ courses, including book delivery, Canvas development and support, management of academic records, informal advising, and ongoing correspondence with students and 20+ faculty.Made frequent use of Concur to manage payment/purchasing requests, other Penn systems, and frequent contact with various vendors (hotel, caterers) to plan for student meals and housing.Supported alumni engagement by managing various listservs, newsletters, serving as a liaison to the Alumni Advisory Board, and assisting with the planning and execution of an annual conference that attracted high-level speakers and 50%+ of the alumni population.Coordinated logistics and attended a public policy seminar in Boulder, Colorado, and a 2-week international trip with students and faculty bi-annually (Hong Kong and Beijing in 2017).Served as a point of contact for prospects and participated in virtual and/or live recruitment sessions and other marketing initiatives to attract a robust, talented applicant pool.

Reported to the Director of Alumni Regional Clubs and provides administrative support for 7 team members2014/2015 - COMPLETED STEP Up Program through Penn Human ResourcesProgram Goals:- Identify your unique strengths and determine how to utilize them to the fullest.- Develop effective workflow systems to get more work done.- Understand team dynamics and be a productive member – and leader – of a team.- Create a strategy to manage relationships, including how to influence others and manage up.- Enhance your key listening, questioning and feedback communication skills.- Explore the dynamics of change, including tactics for coping with change, how to support others, and how to lead as an ‘agent of change’.- Distinguish between the roles of managers and leaders and commit to developing, coaching and inspiring others to use their unique strengths.

Volunteer

Magic Johnson Bridgescape Academy served as an alternative solution for the at-risk high school population to earn their diplomas. It consisted of a blended learning environment which used eCourses and in-person classroom experiences to achieve success.•Was responsible for academic achievement in a 25-40 seat learning center for credit recovery and drop-out students; led 19 students to earn their high school diploma within the first 13 months of operation•Mentored 3 new leaders during the expansion of the program to North Carolina and Pennsylvania•Was academic lead for all English, Social Studies, Life Skills and Humanities eCourses•Acted as the advisor lead responsible for developing all learning plans and coordinating graduation and secondary planning goals with students on a monthly basis•Coordinated and implemented monthly staff trainings and teacher observations•Was responsible for continuous district and community partner communications •Developed the “Our Team” initiative to include friends, family, and community members in the retention and recruitment process•Applied for and obtained a $1500 grant from “First Book” and TD Bank to develop a school library•Participated in ongoing leadership development and training through EdisonLearning

Provided group and individualized instruction in literacy, ABE/GED, ESL, COMPASS, remediation, and/or citizenship, including disadvantaged populations. Participated in student orientation, recruitment, retention, referral and follow-up activities. Administered and interpreted appropriate placement and diagnostic tests. Used formal and informal assessment data to monitor and document student progress. Worked with colleagues to develop and evaluate curriculum and materials; prepare lesson plans and adjust instruction to maximize student learning by aligning content of lessons to standards and promote higher levels of student learning.

Completed fifty hours of training on administering the Woodcock-Johnson III cognitive abilities exam.Administered the three hour exam four times a week, according to the standardization project instructions.Regularly reported results to the publishing company in order to meet project deadlines.

Created curriculum for, and taught group instruction on; test taking, reading, writing, social studies,science, and math skills for young mothers, ages 18-22.Developed a "Life Skills" curriculum and trained students on basic computer skills and career training.Arranged and supervised field trips to job fairs and workforce events in the Philadelphia area.Assessed students using TABE exams and Self Directed Search exams to aid in career guidance.Successfully aided 8 students in receiving their GED and arranged for 10 students to enter vocational programs.

Grant funded project headed by Dr. Howard Stevenson using basketball as an anger management tool in working with teens and parents.

-Developed a “Social Justice” curriculum for teenage males, ages 14-18, in which the topics of; immigration, bullying, the Sudanese conflict, sex, government corruption, as well as other topics were reviewed and taught writing as a tool for change- Created and maintained the blog; http://uyarisingstars.blogspot.com/- Managed budget and payroll for six employees and day to day operations of the Urban Youth Association.- Used Excel spreadsheets to track student growth.- Co-wrote the grant for after school/out of school time funding.- Developed close relationships with parents to better understand, engage, and discipline students.

Grant funded position, 40 hours per week.Worked one-on-one with students to address their writing concerns. Kept precise records of visits. Reflected upon tutoring techniques. Participated in Writing Center workshops. Performed related duties as assigned.

Taught literature, reading, writing, social studies, and civics to 14 pregnant teenagers in Jamaica.Worked with the host teacher to develop lesson plans that would help students to reach specific academic goals.Taught a 6 week Basic Computer Literacy course for adults, which resulted in 11 students earning a BasicComputer Skills certificate.

Acted as an agent to insurance policyholders for the company.Trained in various customer service and insurance related skills.Regularly utilized Microsoft programs such as; Excel, Outlook, and Word.