Paula Talley Email & Phone Number

Silver Spring, Maryland, United States

As Executive Director of HSS and Workforce Alignment at Achieving the Dream, I oversee a diverse portfolio of market-driven services, including holistic student supports, workforce alignment, and K-12 partnerships. Leading a dynamic team of professionals, I focus on delivering innovative, equity-centered solutions that help institutions improve student success. My team is leading workforce alignment efforts, collaborating with colleges, state agencies, and industry partners to ensure that educational pathways prepare students for meaningful careers with opportunities for upward mobility. My work includes aligning K-12, postsecondary, and workforce alignment through evidence-based practices, ensuring that students earn credentials of value and develop the skills needed to thrive in the workforce and the communities in which they live.In addition to my work on workforce alignment, I cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships with key external stakeholders, including philanthropic organizations, community leaders, and educational institutions, to align initiatives with regional and national goals. I am also responsible for managing multi-million-dollar budgets across grants and contracts, ensuring that our projects stay on track and deliver measurable impact. I have expanded services and secured additional resources through targeted fundraising strategies to drive our mission forward.A key component of my leadership is leveraging data to inform decision-making. I work closely with institutions to identify equity gaps through disaggregated data and help them build a culture of inquiry and evidence to sustain long-term reforms. My role also includes delivering professional development workshops, webinars, and presentations to support institutions in adopting equity-minded strategies and holistic student support.I am passionate about driving systemic change that improves educational outcomes and promotes equity across K-12, postsecondary, and workforce systems.

As a leadership coach, my role is to establish a trusting relationship with the chief executive, the leadership group, the core team, and all of the other working groups at the institution. Work includes site visits, virtual meetings and training, and frequent email and phone contact. As a leadership coach, I embed myself in the culture of the organization and seek to build the organization's capacity to reach its long-term goals.I serve as a critical friend by asking clarifying, tough questions and helping to problem solve. I try to surface unspoken concerns and assist the college in imagining new ways to reach their student success goals and build leadership at all levels of the organization. As a leadership coach, I listen with empathy and model collaborative behavior and transformative change. I support the college in building the capacity to identify and build on strengths and address areas for improvement. I advised educational institutions on implementation of holistic student success technologies, focusing on change management and data-driven decision-making. I contribute to the Achieving the Dream active and collaborative coaching community and, in partnership with a data coach, ensure that ATD provides the most effective, on-the-ground support to network colleges.

Teach various mathematics courses and First-year experience courses, including dual credit.

Project Management - Demonstrated organizational and management skills by leading multiple projects (grants and contracts in multiple states) at a time including planning, organizing, collaborating, supervising while meeting the goals and deliverables of the projects. Professional Development and Presentation Skills - Demonstrated development skill by developing a variety of tools and services that support local leaders and works with external organizations to coordinate and mobilize efforts that support systemic change. Develops, refines, and facilitates a variety of both online and in-person professional learning offerings.Collaboration and Relationship Building - Develops and maintains working relationships with internal team members by using strong interpersonal skill. Builds trust by working collaboratively across higher education and K12 teams to ensure coherent services for clients. Works with clients to make equity-minded, data formed decision, helping to develop a culture of inquiry.Budget Management - Manages multi-million dollar budget across various projects - both grants and contracted services.Communication Skills- Strong written and verbal communication skills to communicate information in a clear, concise, and timely manner. Demonstrates effective speaking, facilitation, and presentation skills.Trainer - Trains a team of facilitators from various backgrounds to lead and develop professional development offerings.Strategic Planning and Fund Raising - Develops new opportunities to further promote systemic change through strategic planning for new projects, supporting fundraising and establishing collaborative relationships with other organizations.

Temple, Texas, United States

As the Division Director of Student Success, I led a team of over 80 faculty and staff to improve student success outcomes through strategic initiatives and holistic support services. I oversaw the management of key student services, including the Educational Assistance Center, TRIO, Math Lab, and Writing Center, ensuring students received comprehensive academic support.I successfully administered an $850,000+ Texas Workforce Commission grant for AEL/GED/ESL programs and implemented data-driven retention strategies to enhance student engagement and success across both credit and GED/ESL courses. I partnered with local school districts to develop college readiness courses in math and English, aligning curricula with college and workforce needs.Key accomplishments include:Spearheaded the implementation of digital technologies that supported students inside and outside the classroom, improving access to learning resources.Developed and delivered professional development programs for faculty and staff, focusing on active learning, collaboration, and classroom assessment techniques.Played a key role in scaling math pathways through collaboration with administration, advising, and other departments, contributing to statewide initiatives such as the Texas HB 5 Task Force.Led institutional strategies such as fast track classes, continuous orientations, and guided pathways to improve retention and completion rates.Served on multiple committees, including the AtD Steering Committee, President’s Council, and Strategic Planning Committee, contributing to long-term institutional planning and success.Coordinated with Early College High School programs to support seamless transitions from high school to college.Through my leadership, I fostered a collaborative environment, ensured continuous communication across departments, and championed equity-minded, student-centered approaches to institutional success.

As a Professor of Mathematics, I taught a wide range of courses, from Developmental Mathematics to advanced courses such as Calculus I, II, and III, Elementary Statistics, and Math for Business and Social Sciences. My teaching philosophy centered on creating an engaging, inclusive learning environment that empowered students to build confidence in their mathematical abilities and develop critical problem-solving skills.Key achievements include:Developed and delivered innovative mathematics courses, including both traditional classroom instruction and online courses using Desire2Learn (D2L), ensuring accessibility and adaptability to different learning styles.Led workforce mathematics courses for local industries like Durcon Labs, Basler Electronics, and Taylor ISD, aligning curriculum with workforce needs to enhance employees' skills and advance their careers.Trained and mentored new and veteran math instructors in best practices for developmental math, contributing to improved instruction and student outcomes across the department.Leveraged various educational technologies to support student success and enhance the learning experience in online, hybrid, and computer-based instruction.Encouraged student confidence and mastery of math principles, guiding them to apply mathematical reasoning in real-world contexts and fostering a deeper understanding of math's practical applications.Actively participated in institutional leadership by serving on key committees, including hiring, textbook selection, the Quality Enhancement Plan, and staff development, contributing to the overall academic quality and strategic direction of the department.Through my dedication to student success and instructional innovation, I played a key role in developing and delivering high-quality mathematics education that prepared students for academic advancement and workforce readiness.

As a Faculty Advisor, I played a pivotal role in guiding both new and current students through their academic journeys, ensuring they received personalized support to reach their educational goals. By utilizing digital holistic student support systems, I provided comprehensive advising that empowered students to navigate their coursework, plan for transfer opportunities, and access essential campus resources.Key contributions include:Advised and mentored students on course selection, degree planning, and transfer pathways, fostering academic success and ensuring seamless transitions to institutions like Texas State University and Tarleton.Strengthened student retention by serving as a liaison between Taylor Center and Temple College administration, identifying critical course needs and coordinating class schedules to improve accessibility for students.Promoted open communication and engagement between Taylor students and main campus organizations, such as Phi Theta Kappa, creating a sense of belonging and community within the college.Connected students with valuable campus resources, including the Learning Assistance Center and TRIO, to ensure they received the academic and personal support necessary to succeed.Recruited new students and represented Temple College at local job fairs, actively contributing to college enrollment growth and building strong connections with prospective students.Through my work as a faculty advisor, I helped foster a culture of support, equity, and student success, guiding countless students toward achieving their academic and career goals.

• Taught Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Pre-Calculus to all high school grade levels.• Assisted with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and Admission, Review, and Dismissal processes (ARDs).• Taught mathematics courses using technologies to support student success.• Team Leader for Algebra 1 course development. • Served on Textbook and other Committees.• Developed presentations for mathematics teacher workshops.

Master'S Degree, Mathematics Education

Bachelor'S Degree, Mathematics

Activities and Societies: Phi Theta Kappa