Margarita Banderas Email & Phone Number

• Direct the functional operations of all aspects of HR; develop and maintain internal work procedures to assure consistent, high-quality human resources services. • Work directly with program directors to assist them in carrying out their responsibilities on all people-related matters, including employee relations, personnel records, recruitment and selection, discipline, classification and compensation, benefits and leave administration, unemployment, accommodations, and staff development. • Implement and maintain HRIS, ensuring ongoing effectiveness, data security, reporting, and employee service. • Implements annual updates to salary structure and compensation program, ensuring updated job descriptions and salary schedules as needed. • Lead annual performance evaluation program and makes revision recommendations when necessary. • Lead the implementation of effecting recruitment, interviewing and hiring practices. Engage in job outreach and recruitment efforts that spread a wide net for a diverse workforce. • Conduct orientation for new employees, supports staff through employee relations counseling, and conducts exit interviews. • Develop and implement learning and development plan, meeting staff training needs based on grant and staff needs. • Collaborate with leadership to manage organizational health and benefit plans, including enrollments and terminations, and review of benefits packages that serve the needs of all employees equitably. • Assist staff in dealing with personnel and benefit issues, including, but not limited to Worker’s Compensation, accommodations, Performance Improvement Plans, Unemployment Insurance, FMLA, PTO, and other leave types. • Lead organization DEI strategy, learning, and activities to ensure an ongoing focus on DEI.

Walla Walla

• Founding director, senior member of and advisor to President's Cabinet on issues of equity, inclusion, and diversity. • Lead organization-wide strategic planning and implementation through an equity lens; establish metrics for organizational assessment.• Optimize organizational culture by aligning diversity and inclusion aspirations with specific goals and outcomes, respond to policy changes, and collaborate with Human Resources in recruitment, development, and retention of diverse and historically underrepresented employees. • Provide oversight, logistical management, and implementation of virtual and in-person professional development opportunities and trainings.• Advocate for and build a culture that promotes holistic success and inclusivity for people from all backgrounds.• Created a statewide leadership committee focused on equity and inclusion; represented the organization on additional system, state, regional, and national committees and organizations.• Developed departmental outcomes, evaluation, and reporting for organizational grant.

Expansion of previous role responsibilities, including but not limited to –• Leader on organization-wide strategic priorities focused on increasing access and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.• Led a student affairs department and participated as member of WIDE (Whitman Inclusion, Diversity and Equity) Council - a group of faculty, staff, and students working on diversity, equity, and inclusion issues across campus.• Advocate for equitable and inclusive hiring practices to support increased recruitment and retention of systemically underrepresented applicants.• Develop programs to support international student success through community partnerships, mentorship, and one-on-one coaching.

• Responsible for management and oversight of a multicultural center. Supervise a team of four, focused on making the organization a more welcoming, pluralistic, and inclusive environment.• Designed and delivered social, cultural, and educational programming; Advised individual students and student groups; Recruited, trained, and supervised professional and student staff; Managed multiple budgets; Developed and implemented staff and employee leadership programs.• Advised student government officers and student affinity group leaders in planning and implementation of institution-wide events.• Adjudicated issues and claims of sex-based discrimination as Title IX Deputy Coordinator and Title IX Investigator.

• Provided social justice and international student support leadership and continuing education for professional and student staff. • Planned and managed multiple annual events focused on building relationships, lived experience, inclusivity, and life-long connections.• Oversaw daily office operations, including accounting, calendaring, and events for a team of five.• Team building and group process/cohesion work using personality and talent measures such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicators (MBTI).• Coordinated custodial, student, and office staff evaluation processes.• Managed content and updates to website, marketing, and other communications materials.

• Built collaborative, trusting relationships with board members, trustees, overseers, college leadership and other constituents to successfully plan, coordinate, and manage President’s Office events.• Supported organization-wide enhancement of instruction and learning experience using collaborative projects and grant management.• Oversaw daily office operations in a complex, high-paced, and demanding environment.• Managed scheduling, agenda, technology, and venue logistics for president-level cabinet and board meetings.• Budget reconciliation and tracking for college president, family, and staff.• Maintained and updated web, digital, and print communications materials.

• Created and oversaw a pre-college program designed to build knowledge of and comfort with college for local middle school students from low-income backgrounds or those who will be the first in their families to attend college.• Led community outreach and developed relationships with local school districts and local nonprofits that serve low-income youth to extend program reach.• Hired, trained and mentored student staff on cultural competency and how best to work with students from a broad range of backgrounds.• Developed advertising, application, recommendation, and enrollment marketing materials.• Organized and tracked program records, paid bills, and managed program budget.

• Coordinated campus-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion centered events and speaker visits.• Oversaw student intern hiring, coaching and supervision.• Designed advertisement posters and updated office websites.• Managed office operations, staff calendars, and processed Business Office paperwork.

​​• Created curriculum for a bi-weekly Citizenship class.​​• Prepared materials for and taught ESL course in both English and Spanish.​​• Counseled and guided students navigating the citizenship application process on a one-on-one level.

Master Of Science (Ms), Student Affairs In Higher Education

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Art History & Visual Culture Studies