Tamara B. Email and Phone Number

As a member of the Student Affairs leadership team the Director of Academic Advising, Student Success & Retention is responsible for leading academic advising, and Starfish Early Alert retention services. Responsible for the coordination and implementation of collegewide programs and services to promote student retention, persistence, and completion.

Accomplishment: The College Leadership Program (CLP) is a certificate program designed to enhance an HCC employee’s success as an HCC leader. CLP introduces employees to HCC culture and operations in a forum that encourages leadership growth and development. Tamara Baker completed 16 hour CLP Boot Camp, 6 Instructor-led courses, and 13 online courses to reach this milestone.

Helping students find careers where they find themselves.

In my role as Associate Director of the Career Development Center I successful managed the team that coordinated, implemented and assessed the first university wide student focused professional development conference titled EMPLOY the PACK: A Conference for Emerging Professionals. Designed to provide up-to-the minute strategies and aid to students and alumni navigating the current job market, Employ the Pack has celebrated two straight years of sensational programming--and more is on the way! The half-day, professional-caliber employment strategies conference is available to current students and young Loyola alumni and features innovative breakout sessions which address current job-market needs, as well as one-on-one face time with dynamic industry leaders and employment experts.

• Designed, developed and implement career counseling program; recommended changes in policies and procedures related to career counseling to Director of Career Development• Served on department committee for developing and evaluating student learning outcomes as well as the newly formed Sophomore Year Experience Committee• Hires, trains, supervises and evaluates 3-5 graduate and student assistants• Designs, develops and implements career counseling programs and workshops for students, parents, faculty and staff; serves as resource person for student organizations.• Co-coordinates the career marketing committee and designs, develops and creates career center marketing tools such as student brochure, career workshop calendar, electronic newsletter, and marketing supplies• Coordinates the Career Library resources and staff including career planning, internships, graduate/professional school and job search related resources• Coordinate and market career services special programs to include but not limited to: annual alumni career panel for Behavioral Science and Liberal Arts students, Washington Career Day, U.S. Depart Inform. Session• Coordinate Career Services participation in University orientation sessions

Received the Student Affairs “Employee of the Year” award for 2002 and attended the New Professionals Institute in 2002. • Provided in-depth career counseling to 16,000+ student body, faculty and staff and alumni• Coordinate and market career services special programs to include but not limited to: biannual faculty/staff forum, annual alumni career panel for Behavioral Science and Liberal Arts students• Liaison to College of Business and Behavioral Science; provide assistance and programming to students and faculty in the College and Coordinate Satellite Office within this college.

University Success Skills• Taught academic course (CU101) for incoming freshman (Fall 2004 & Fall 2006)• Course designed for incoming freshmen orienting them to University life and teaching them the fundamentals of time management, planning, study habits, communication, etc.

• Provided career and educational advising for students, alumni and community members• Reviewed skill, interest, value and personality assessments• Facilitated exploration of academic majors and career alternatives• Counseled on topics such as job searching techniques, resume writing, interviewing skills and career decision-making.

• Engage in respectful, open communication with the individuals receiving services, the responsible party and other family and team members to promote consistent, quality care• Provide person-centered, responsive approaches and interventions to individuals served• Implement de-escalation techniques and other services as recommended by a mental health professional.• Maintain appropriate documentation, records, and reports.• Created and implemented recreational activities and encouraged residents to be active participants.