Michele Rhoades Email & Phone Number

Phoenix, Az, Us

Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Operate with a high degree of independence to serve as a liaison among the General Counsel, internal business units, law firms, regulatory agencies at the federal and state level, and/or vendors. The final gatekeeper on the legal and regulatory status of all the University’s teaching locations, including online which includes overseeing locations, the review and acceptance of request applications and approvals with accrediting bodies, U.S. Department of Education, and state regulatory agencies to maintain the University’s programmatic and Title IV compliance. Oversee the execution of complex projects, such as preparation and maintenance of the University’s E-App submitted to the U.S. Department of Education; manage project logistics, coordinate resources and oversee successful completion; collaborate with executive and senior leadership to execute various projects, as appropriate.• Optimize University Legal Services’ policies and processes to comply with legal, regulatory and administrative requirements; conduct periodic audits to ensure policies and processes remain current and compliant.• Design and implement databases for managing, sorting, indexing and abstracting large volumes of data, and managing or overseeing resulting systems.• Select, mentor, coach and evaluate staff; establish and monitor appropriate employee performance objectives; prepare and present employee performance discussions, including one-on-one meetings and quarterly check-ins; implement mentoring and coaching plans, or disciplinary action, where appropriate.

Phoenix, Arizona Area

Maintained the University of Phoenix Electronic Application (EAPP) and Eligibility and Certification Approval Report (ECAR), along with filing the Program Participation Agreement (PPA) from the United States Department of Education (USDOE) on the University’s behalf to assure Title IV financial aid compliance. Participated in the preparation of USDOE and Higher Learning Commission (HLC) site visits as required and requested. Annually submitted applications and updates to the Higher Learning Commission, including the annual reporting of the Institutional Update (IU). Supervise legal administrative staff, including the General Counsel’s executive administrative assistant. Serve as a mentor to less experienced staff and continue training of institutional knowledge sharing among colleagues. Conducted and organized confidential legal research on behalf of attorneys and senior management as requested.• Substantial contributor in successful completion of Change of Ownership transaction• Significant role in organization for Higher Learning Commission Change of Control Visit

Phoenix, Arizona Area

Served as main point of contact for internal/external stakeholders for the location approval processes. Developed, administered and maintained an internal website which tracked all locations via the regulatory triad for university ground campuses, learning centers and auxiliary classroom locations. Worked with USDOE to reconcile university reporting via the EAPP including answering inquiries on behalf of both University of Phoenix and Western International University. Maintained licensure documentation for University of Phoenix, as well as other subsidiaries of Apollo Education Group, Inc. Maintained time-sensitive activities in conjunction with established department guidelines and procedures. Maintained confidentiality and protected operations of all sensitive information during projects.• Lead contact with the United States Department of Education for removal of state regulatory closing University locations throughout the country • Assisted with USDOE Program Reviews for both University of Phoenix and Western International University when necessary. Assisted with Higher Learning Commission Site Visits.

Phoenix, Arizona Area

Coordination and management of compliance related projects and activities with internal and external parties. Supervised regulatory paralegals and administrative staff. Prepared and supervised compliance documentation to meet laws, rules, and regulations of state regulatory bodies; documentation included new state applications, new location and program applications, annual reports, renewal documents, and supplemental information. Coordinated and managed program approval requests through Camp/Zone in addition to approving those requests on behalf of the legal department once all applicable state approvals were received. Maintained records of programs approved for all ground and online campuses. Coordinated with internal departments to gather appropriate data and facilitate regulatory compliance for the University. Completed detailed review and created various University publications for compliance with University policies and standards. Conducted legal research related to state guidelines and requirements as needed.• Played a key role in the development and creation of the Higher Learning Commission’s Location Update Tool to track university locations throughout the region• Organized and verified University of Phoenix locations reducing the number of reported locations from 1300 to 780

Phoenix, Arizona Area

Coordination and management of compliance related projects and activities with internal and external parties. Prepared and supervised compliance documentation to meet laws, rules, and regulations of state regulatory bodies; documentation included new state applications, new location and program applications, annual reports, renewal documents, and supplemental information. Maintained records of programs approved for all ground and online campuses. Conducted legal research related to state guidelines and requirements as needed.• Performed, organized and distributed original research for regulatory requirements regarding online/distance delivery of education for all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. • Completed new state applications for the State of Georgia and assisted in the preparation of new state applications for Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin.

Chandler, Az

• Managed all day to day operations for business aspects of the law firm. • Document preparation for personal injury cases, probate cases, and juvenile law cases pertaining to the practice. • Scheduled and monitored attorney calendars when dealing with client meetings, court hearings, and settlement conferences. • During intake meetings with new clients, would assist in the development and coordination of files and procedures for personal injury cases and probate cases. • Track and negotiate payments for medical expenses and case related expenses upon settlement of client cases. • Prepared Summary Judgment documentation and Settlement Agreements for personal injury and probate cases. • Created trial notebooks, which contained all related evidence and documentation for client matters, for court dates and trials. • Assisted in the development and implementation of computer system to track attorney time and billing cycles.

Bachelor Of Science - Bs

Associate Of Arts - Aa