A centerpiece initiative of the UMKC Forward plan, Professional Career Escalators is an innovative student success program that includes a unique system of personalized support and services to propel students from their academic studies to meaningful careers.The program includes career guidance and development, experiential learning, mentorship, leadership development, and support/resources to prepare students for graduate or professional school. An optional leadership credential is available for students who want that additional leadership growth and development. Two scholarship options are available for students to choose from along with opportunities to apply for supplemental funds to help with professional development, unpaid internships, application and test fees, and other career-related activities and resources.Program Website: https://www.umkc.edu/admissions/professional-career-escalators/index.html#aProgram News: https://umkc.edu/news/posts/2022/february/umkc-professional-career-escalators-program-helps-students-get-a-jump-start-on-careers.html#- Developing program curriculum- Student recruitment- Marketing and outreach (email, social media, text)- On-campus and external collaboration- Cultivating external partnerships- Career guidance and development- Mentorship building/matching- Providing support/resources for graduate/professional school- Partnering to build specific PCE leadership development credential - Building applied learning opportunities database- Hire, manage, and support PCE team- Present at state, regional, national conferences

MoCDA provides opportunities for professional development, connections, and collaboration among Missouri area career development professionals. We advocate for issues related to career development and promote integrity and professionalism within the field. MoCDA is inclusive of students and professionals engaged in the career development field; constituencies include higher education, K-12 schools, agencies, private practice, corporate, and government.In 202 I led our organization in transitioning our annual spring conference to a virtual/online conference due to concerns regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus). I organized our online conference via Zoom working with our speakers and helping them transition to presenting online. Awarded MoCDA Member of the Year for my contribution to the organization for 2017-18 and presented on the partnerships and collaboration work I do through Kauffman Scholars in order to provide career development for scholars and alumni with limited resources.

The Kansas Association of Colleges and Employers is made up of employers and career services personnel who work with college relations, recruitment, cooperative education, internships, and career planning and development. We typically hold an annual summer drive-in workshop and an annual conference.Previous Roles:Conference Planning Committee (2022) - Helped connect KACE with MoCDA to partner on the 2022 conferencePresident (2021)President-Elect - Led a team to plan and execute KACE's first virtual conference (2020)Technology Committee - Helped promote and market the 2019 annual conference via KACE social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn)Conference Planning Committee - Helped market the 2019 annual conference, cultivated seven panelists for KACE's first Diversity in Leadership panel, and acted as panel moderator.Awards:Career Services Member of the Year (2022)Chairperson of the Year (2020)Technology Award (2019)Outstanding Committee Member (2019)

Provide career development for 200+ scholars & nearly 500+ alumni, including professional development, connecting students to Kansas City-area internship, employment, & volunteer opportunities, informing students about career options, & building relationships in the community to help bridge employers with students.Jan 2021 - Planned, executed, & managed the first virtual JIVE Fair via the Brazen platform. Coordinated with the Brazen team to design a virtual career fair for nearly 150 scholars, alumni, & KSI guests from area scholarship programs. Recruited 50 organizations to connect with students to share job, internship, volunteer, & educational opportunities.June 2020 - Hosted first virtual Roundtable Represent via Zoom with professionals of color, scholars, students, and guests of KSI. The event highlighted a keynote speaker that spoke on navigating the workplace as a person of color. Students connected with professionals through breakout rooms to dive into deeper discussions on race in the workplace.In 2020, recruited the most employers to the Kauffman Scholars JIVE Fair: 120 employers registered for the event increasing registration by nearly 32% from 2019. In 2018, I organized & managed the J.I.V.E. Fair and recruited 94 companies/organizations (an increase of 64% from 2017) to connect with over 500 scholars. Of the 94 companies, 53 were new for 2018 fair. Developed a Career Development Series where scholars interacted with local KC professionals, explored, engaged & immersed themselves in a desired career field through job shadowing, professional networking, and alumni engagement. I continue to develop relationships with KC companies and organizations to connect with our scholars and alumni to provide experiential learning and career development opportunities.Help lead and organize the KSI Legacy Internship Program and manage job resources on the KSI Alumni Connect platform.Served on the committee for the Young Professionals of Color-KC (YPOC-KC).

Monitored program engagement and academic performance of the postsecondary scholars in their individual cohorts. In addition, I tracked all program requirements and collected all documents necessary for KSI scholarship eligibility. Led a team to develop and coordinate Summer Bridge Experience (SBE) content for high school graduates heading to college (2016-2017)Developed and maintained individualized student retention plan with 169 scholars and tracked and ensured student’s progress toward degree completionActed as an advisor, mentor, advocate, and confidante focused on the students' interests and success. AI was responsible for developing, implementing, and assessing academic and socio-emotional learning and development opportunities for students in the program.

Led team to develop and coordinate Summer Bridge Experience content for high school graduates heading to college (2014-2015) Met the organizational goal regarding student persistence by increasing the percentage of students in good standing at the conclusion of the 2015-16 of the academic year (Implemented a successful plan that increased number of students to Good Standing in my cohort to 67%; prior to the academic year only 33% were in Good Standing)Guided students in navigating postsecondary admissions processes and procedures and educated students and parents about colleges, the college admissions process, trends, procedures, and testingMet with seniors individually and in groups to talk about the college-going process and individual college choices that engaged and motivate students and increase student achievement

I have served on the UMKC School of Education Alumni Association Board since January 2014. In that time I have worked to encourage students to become active alumni after graduation by involving them in current alumni events, supported the School of Education student body with attendance at Jazz on the Lawn and student events, and encouraged our alumni to support the School of Education with their attendance at alumni and UMKC functions. I have had the honor of helping select the School of Education Alumni Achievement Award.

DanceFit class instructor. Guided participants through a one hour, high-energy cardio intense class.

Coordinated and helped manage the academic advising office, managed projects as needed (caseload advising, proactive Advising for Student Success (P.A.S.S.), organized advisor and new employee training, acted as the point of contact for outside departments, attended supervisors meetings, and was a committee representative for MCC-Longview’s Enrollment Center.Identified and evaluated students’ needs, collaborated with students to set educational objectives, explored career opportunities and job-related information while evaluating educational progress. Explained all MCC degrees/certificates and articulation/transfer agreements to area colleges, interpreted and validated complex information regarding financial aid requirements, dual and articulated credit, cooperative and exchange programs, A+ benefits, and government workforce development. Lead New Student Enrollment Group sessions for first-time MCC students to inform them about degrees offered, assisted with selecting first-year classes, helped them understand how to read the course schedule, taught students how to self-enroll through their myMCCKC student center, and answered general questions.

Facilitate a classroom of 15-40 studentsIdentify college resources necessary for student successExplain student rights and responsibilities within the college environmentIdentify factors and apply strategies that affect academic success on the college levelDesign an educational plan to meet academic, career, and personal goalsDemonstrate behaviors and conduct appropriate for a college and/or professional settingExplain the role of diversity in college settingsGrade and evaluate class work in addition to online (Blackboard) work

Served as primary recruitment representative for MCC-Longview’s service area high schools 2010-2012, Coordinated MCC-Longview’s Mobile Enrollment Project at nine area high schools, Served as sponsor to Student Ambassadors.Helped coordinate MCC-Longview’s Junior and Senior Visit Day events on campus, Assisted students in enrolling during New Student Enrollment Group sessions,

Coordinated K-State’s multicultural recruitment program and served as the primary recruitment representative for Northwest KS and NebraskaServed as advisor to multicultural ambassadorsOrganized K-State’s Multicultural Pride Days and Kassebaum Scholarship DayCoordinated “K-State Celebrates” program in WichitaAssisted in admissions representative training programDesigned display boards for Admissions Representatives to use at high school visitsDesigned Alumni Admissions Representative and Counselor Connection newsletters