My love for working with students began when my first college professor offered me a job tutoring student athletes. After my first session, I immediately developed a passion for helping students persist and succeed in college. That opportunity inspired me to learn how to establish and maintain positive relationships with students and better assess their individual needs. Throughout my career, I have had the pleasure of teaching, coaching and counseling underrepresented students, specifically first-generation students, Veterans, adult learners and special needs students. I have enjoyed refining my skills in coaching/advising, assessment, data analysis and project management. I thoroughly enjoy learning how students process information, their learning style preferences and what they like to do for fun and well-being.Throughout my career, I have become adept in executing student-centered theories and concepts to refine my decision-making skills. My personal favorite is student development theory which I learned helps students develop their cognitive, psychosocial and personal identities. I've also learned that choice theory has been effective in helping students better discern information so they can apply their knowledge in their academic and personal lives.I love to show students how much they are appreciated and how much their voices and opinions matter. My most enjoyable moment is sharing in the students' success when they reach new milestones. When I'm not working, I'm constantly searching new apps, software and other tools to help students navigate through their college journey. One of my favorite messages to students is Winston Churchill's quote: "Success is not final, failure is not fatal; It is the courage to continue that counts." In my spare time, I am usually trying new Cajun and Creole food recipes, attending street fairs and festivals an spending time with my very festive family. Moving forward, I strive to be a positive role model as I learn and grow as an education professional.
Listed skills include Leadership, Presentation Skills, Collaborative Problem Solving, Minority Rights, and 42 others.
