Executive Summary
Multifaceted educator and administrator with a proven record of achievements and executive experience in corporate and higher education environments. Skilled communicator with demonstrated expertise delivering in-depth analysis and solutions to complex problems. Passionate educator with strong commitment towards the personal and professional development of others.
Areas of Core Competency
- Higher Education Administration
- Strategic and Operational Planning
- Organizational Development
- Communications and Public Relations
- Human Resource Development
- Instructional Systems Design
- Developmental Education
- E-learning
- Adult Education
Professional Experience
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY - NEWARK
AND CENTRAL OHIO TECHNICAL COLLEGE
The NEWARK CAMPUS is a proud partnership between The Ohio State University and Central Ohio Technical College. It provides students a wide range of educational opportunities combining the flexibility of a strong technical education with the rich research heritage and academic excellence of a Big Ten university. The Newark Campus has a combined enrollment of more than six thousand students.
Learning Skills Specialist 2008 to present
Office of Student Life
The Learning Skills Specialist develops and implements educational interventions designed to help students acquire and sharpen the competencies necessary to succeed in college. As a Specialist, my role is to provide individual and group consultations, assessments, workshops and classroom presentations in a variety of educational topics.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF MICHIGAN (BCBSM)
BCBSM is a non-profit organization and the largest healthcare provider in the state of Michigan. It serves more than 4.6 million members and has revenues exceeding $19.4 billions.
Instructional Designer 2007 - 2008
BCBSM - Clinical Programs Development
The Clinical Programs division at BCBSM designs and implements wellness and disease management programs for BCBSM members. As Instructional Designer my role is to design training solutions to ensure that the health advocates and nurses/case managers are prepared to deliver high quality service to members in need of specialized and complex medical services.
Tasks performed: Designed web, computer-based and instructor-led training. Conducted front-end analysis and monitored varied complex training operations to achieve goals and conserve resources. Assured that training programs met operational needs and requirements. Worked closely with subject matter experts (SMEs) and provided effective solutions to business problems. Provided advice and support to trainers in the implementation of instructional strategies and adult learning principles.
Achievements: Conceived and implemented an initiative to transfer the traditional paper-based curriculum to an online environment. Implemented reflective journaling as an instructional strategy to achieve better content retention and employee engagement.
Adult Educator/Consultant 2004 - 2007
BCBSM- Prudence Humphrey Joint Learning and Resource Center (PHJLRC)
The Prudence Humphrey Learning Centers are facilities designed to promote the personal and professional development of BCBSM employees. As an Instructor and Consultant I was responsible for managing the daily operations of two learning centers serving more than 2000 employees in the regional offices of BCBSM in Lansing and Grand Rapids.
Tasks performed: Conducted computer competency assessment. Designed improvement plans and implemented basic, intermediate and advanced computer literacy training. Coached, mentored, and assisted employees improving task and time management skills. Provided active support to employees enrolled in online learning courses.
Achievements: During the first year achieved 100% increment in employee's participation in educational activities, improving ROI in education and training investment. Presented to managers and leaders a research-based framework for the implementation of ROI metrics in education and workforce development.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY (MSU)
Michigan State University is the nation's pioneer land-grant university and one of the top 100 universities in the world.
Graduate/Professional Assistant 2001 - 2003
MSU - Office of Admissions and Scholarships / College of Veterinary Medicine
MSU has a student population of more than 46 thousand students and every year receives over 20 thousand admission's applications. As the Graduate Assistant for the Associate Director for Minority recruitment, I provided direct support in the implementation of recruitment and retention plans for underrepresented populations in higher education.
Tasks performed: Assessed students' qualifications for undergraduate admissions and for admission to the College of Veterinary Medicine. Coordinated campus visits for high school students from all over the nation, particularly for students from large urban areas. Facilitated public presentations and provided counseling to prospective and admitted students.
Achievements: Helped creating the first electronic newsletter for prospective students. Conducted a research-based assessment of the MSU College Achievement Admissions Program.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO AT MAYAGUEZ (UPRM)
University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez is Puerto Rico's unique land-grant and Hispanic Serving institution. A highly selective university, UPRM has a total enrollment of 12 thousand students and every year admits 1200 students ranked in the top 5% of their classes.
Director of Media and Community Relations 1999 - 2000
UPRM - Office of the Chancellor
The Office of Media Relations is the primary liaison between the university and the news media. As Director I was asked to integrate the Community Relations component into the main functions of the office. I also acted as the liaison between the university and external constituents such as: community organizations, government agencies, and industry leaders.
Tasks performed: Responsible for the design and implementation of communications and marketing strategies. Counseled and advised the campus CEO, the academic deans and other senior administrators in Public Relations strategies. Conducted media training for staff involved in handling media requests. Assisted academic departments, student organizations and Alumni Association presenting their achievements to internal and external audiences. Provided active support to fundraising and development campaigns.
Achievements: Consolidated the operations of the graphic, printing and editorial departments into a single administrative unit. Supervised a team of more than 12 communications professionals and managed a consolidated budget of $1 million. Helped the university securing a $12 million government grant for the development of Puerto Rico's Techno-Economic Corridor.
Copywriter and Editor 1992 - 2001
UPRM - Office of Media Relations
Tasks performed: Prepared and edited content for institutional newspaper, newsletters, brochures and special publications. Assisted with the graphic design of printed and web publications. Organized and coordinated media events for academic and administrative departments. Acted as institutional spokesperson and media liaison. Worked as a news reporter for DIALOGO, the University of Puerto Rico's systemic newspaper. Wrote speeches for campus CEO.
Achievements: Conceived and created four new publications, including the first standard-size newspaper. Achieved higher media exposure for the university by increasing the number of written and published articles by 150%.
Awards: Association of American Women award for outstanding work in academic journalism (1999).
Instructor/Teaching Assistant 1997 - 1999
UPRM - Department of Hispanic Studies
Tasks performed: Lectured college level grammar and composition course.
AND CENTRAL OHIO TECHNICAL COLLEGE
The NEWARK CAMPUS is a proud partnership between The Ohio State University and Central Ohio Technical College. It provides students a wide range of educational opportunities combining the flexibility of a strong technical education with the rich research heritage and academic excellence of a Big Ten university. The Newark Campus has a combined enrollment of more than six thousand students.
Learning Skills Specialist 2008 to present
Office of Student Life
The Learning Skills Specialist develops and implements educational interventions designed to help students acquire and sharpen the competencies necessary to succeed in college. As a Specialist, my role is to provide individual and group consultations, assessments, workshops and classroom presentations in a variety of educational topics.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF MICHIGAN (BCBSM)
BCBSM is a non-profit organization and the largest healthcare provider in the state of Michigan. It serves more than 4.6 million members and has revenues exceeding $19.4 billions.
Instructional Designer 2007 - 2008
BCBSM - Clinical Programs Development
The Clinical Programs division at BCBSM designs and implements wellness and disease management programs for BCBSM members. As Instructional Designer my role is to design training solutions to ensure that the health advocates and nurses/case managers are prepared to deliver high quality service to members in need of specialized and complex medical services.
Tasks performed: Designed web, computer-based and instructor-led training. Conducted front-end analysis and monitored varied complex training operations to achieve goals and conserve resources. Assured that training programs met operational needs and requirements. Worked closely with subject matter experts (SMEs) and provided effective solutions to business problems. Provided advice and support to trainers in the implementation of instructional strategies and adult learning principles.
Achievements: Conceived and implemented an initiative to transfer the traditional paper-based curriculum to an online environment. Implemented reflective journaling as an instructional strategy to achieve better content retention and employee engagement.
Adult Educator/Consultant 2004 - 2007
BCBSM- Prudence Humphrey Joint Learning and Resource Center (PHJLRC)
The Prudence Humphrey Learning Centers are facilities designed to promote the personal and professional development of BCBSM employees. As an Instructor and Consultant I was responsible for managing the daily operations of two learning centers serving more than 2000 employees in the regional offices of BCBSM in Lansing and Grand Rapids.
Tasks performed: Conducted computer competency assessment. Designed improvement plans and implemented basic, intermediate and advanced computer literacy training. Coached, mentored, and assisted employees improving task and time management skills. Provided active support to employees enrolled in online learning courses.
Achievements: During the first year achieved 100% increment in employee's participation in educational activities, improving ROI in education and training investment. Presented to managers and leaders a research-based framework for the implementation of ROI metrics in education and workforce development.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY (MSU)
Michigan State University is the nation's pioneer land-grant university and one of the top 100 universities in the world.
Graduate/Professional Assistant 2001 - 2003
MSU - Office of Admissions and Scholarships / College of Veterinary Medicine
MSU has a student population of more than 46 thousand students and every year receives over 20 thousand admission's applications. As the Graduate Assistant for the Associate Director for Minority recruitment, I provided direct support in the implementation of recruitment and retention plans for underrepresented populations in higher education.
Tasks performed: Assessed students' qualifications for undergraduate admissions and for admission to the College of Veterinary Medicine. Coordinated campus visits for high school students from all over the nation, particularly for students from large urban areas. Facilitated public presentations and provided counseling to prospective and admitted students.
Achievements: Helped creating the first electronic newsletter for prospective students. Conducted a research-based assessment of the MSU College Achievement Admissions Program.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO AT MAYAGUEZ (UPRM)
University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez is Puerto Rico's unique land-grant and Hispanic Serving institution. A highly selective university, UPRM has a total enrollment of 12 thousand students and every year admits 1200 students ranked in the top 5% of their classes.
Director of Media and Community Relations 1999 - 2000
UPRM - Office of the Chancellor
The Office of Media Relations is the primary liaison between the university and the news media. As Director I was asked to integrate the Community Relations component into the main functions of the office. I also acted as the liaison between the university and external constituents such as: community organizations, government agencies, and industry leaders.
Tasks performed: Responsible for the design and implementation of communications and marketing strategies. Counseled and advised the campus CEO, the academic deans and other senior administrators in Public Relations strategies. Conducted media training for staff involved in handling media requests. Assisted academic departments, student organizations and Alumni Association presenting their achievements to internal and external audiences. Provided active support to fundraising and development campaigns.
Achievements: Consolidated the operations of the graphic, printing and editorial departments into a single administrative unit. Supervised a team of more than 12 communications professionals and managed a consolidated budget of $1 million. Helped the university securing a $12 million government grant for the development of Puerto Rico's Techno-Economic Corridor.
Copywriter and Editor 1992 - 2001
UPRM - Office of Media Relations
Tasks performed: Prepared and edited content for institutional newspaper, newsletters, brochures and special publications. Assisted with the graphic design of printed and web publications. Organized and coordinated media events for academic and administrative departments. Acted as institutional spokesperson and media liaison. Worked as a news reporter for DIALOGO, the University of Puerto Rico's systemic newspaper. Wrote speeches for campus CEO.
Achievements: Conceived and created four new publications, including the first standard-size newspaper. Achieved higher media exposure for the university by increasing the number of written and published articles by 150%.
Awards: Association of American Women award for outstanding work in academic journalism (1999).
Instructor/Teaching Assistant 1997 - 1999
UPRM - Department of Hispanic Studies
Tasks performed: Lectured college level grammar and composition course.
Professional Organizations
Non-profit Service
Secretary and Member of the Board of Directors of The State News, one of the largest college newspapers in the United States. Michigan State University (2001- 2003)
Founder and Editor of the newspaper “Ventana a San Sebastián”, a local newspaper focused in highlighting community achievements. San Sebastián, PR (2000 - 2001)
President of the Parents Association of Children with Disabilities, an advocacy group of the non-profit organization Support and Therapy Center for Children with Disabilities. Moca, PR (1998-2000)
Founder and Editor of the newspaper “Ventana a San Sebastián”, a local newspaper focused in highlighting community achievements. San Sebastián, PR (2000 - 2001)
President of the Parents Association of Children with Disabilities, an advocacy group of the non-profit organization Support and Therapy Center for Children with Disabilities. Moca, PR (1998-2000)
Education
M.A. Higher Education Administration / Adult Education
College of Education
Michigan State University
B.A. Hispanics Studies
College of Arts and Letters
University of Puerto Rico - Mayagüez
College of Education
Michigan State University
B.A. Hispanics Studies
College of Arts and Letters
University of Puerto Rico - Mayagüez
Additional Skills
- Computer proficiency in Windows and Mac operative systems
- Advance knowledge of web and graphic design
- Competent in E-learning technologies and Web 2.0 applications
- Experience with audio and video production
- Fully bilingual in English and Spanish