Summary
Multifaceted educator and administrator with three decades of experience and a proven record of achievements in corporate and higher education environments. Expertise developing and delivering high impact academic and organizational strategies. Extensive experience in higher education and non-profit administration; retention and development of college students; instructional design; learning technologies; corporate communications; learning and motivation; and adult learning. Skilled communicator with demonstrated expertise providing in-depth analysis and solutions to complex problems.
[Old Portfolio – Circa 2008]
Work History
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, Columbus, Ohio
Program Director, Scholarships and Supplemental Academic Services, Office of Diversity and Inclusion –January 2023 to present
- Provide strategic vision, leadership and direction of the Scholarships and Supplemental Academic Services unit, a complex operation that provides multiple academic success services, financial aid and scholarship guidance and coaching, and stewardship of donor scholarship funds for over 3000 students affiliated with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI).
- Monitor trends, ensure excellent service delivery, research and pilot innovative academic success services.
- Serve as ODI point of contact for university leaders, administrators, academic departments, offices, and programs seeking partnerships and/or collaborations with the unit.
- Recruit, hire, train, and supervise the Financial Aid & Scholarship Services Manager, the Tutoring Coordinator and Study Skills Specialists, student tutors, and supplemental instructors.
- Convene and lead the Tutoring Services Work Group at Ohio State.
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY at NEWARK and CENTRAL OHIO TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Learning Specialist, Center for Student Success – September 2008 to January 2023*
- Provided students individualized advice and resources via one-on-one meetings to enhance their learning inside and outside of the classroom. Offered support in the areas of self-regulation and executive functioning while helping students develop study behaviors, skills, and strategies that lead to academic success.
- Served academically at-risk students and determined appropriate interventions; planed, delivered, and evaluated individual development programs for students.
- Provided leadership and supervised Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) programs. Recruited, interviewed, and provided supervision and overall performance management to undergraduate PAL leaders. Developed and directed training materials, sessions, and learning events for the PAL team.
- Created and delivered academic success workshops and presentations targeted to the particular needs of diverse student populations.
- Developed instructional and digital materials to enhance students learning.
Selected Verifiable Achievements:
- Appointed by Ohio State’s President as a member of the University Staff Advisory Committee (USAC) – 2018-2021
- Chair of USAC’s Inclusive Excellence Subcommittee
- Member of COTC’s Strategic Planning Council – 2017-2019
- Institutional representative of Equity Champions Initiative, Ohio Association of Community Colleges – 2021-2022
- Developed the Four Girders framework for academic success and created the student success website MyLearningNewtwork.com
- Created e-learning and student development website The Road to Success
- Created and implemented Academic Peer Coaching Program
- Faculty team-member of first learning community on campus
- Advisor to several multi-cultural and neurodiverse student organizations
- Resident co-director for Study Abroad programs
- Alumni of EDUCAUSE’s Learning Technology Leaders Institute
- UMKC-certified Supplemental Instruction Supervisor
Associated Faculty/Lecturer, The Ohio StateUniversity at Newark – September 2009 to December 2022
- More than a decade of pedagogical experience teaching Learning and Motivation Strategies for Academic Success (ES EPSY 1259)
- Teach practical skills and theories framed in educational psychology principles and research.
- Help students develop the academic beliefs and behaviors essential to success in college.
- Help students become strategic learners in the college environment.
*The Learning Specialist position became Ohio State Newark only in May 2022.
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF MICHIGAN
Instructional Designer, Clinical Programs Development – 2007 to 2008
- Successfully designed train-the-trainer programs for health advocates and nurses/case managers.
- Developed web, computer-based, and instructor-led training solutions.
- Assessed and evaluated training programs based on operational needs and requirements. Provided advice and support to trainers in the implementation of instructional strategies and adult learning principles.
- Verifiable Achievements:
- Effectively converted traditional paper-based curriculum to an online learning environment.
- Responsible for the successful implementation of reflective journaling as an instructional strategy to achieve better performance and higher employee engagement.
Adult Educator/Consultant, Prudence Humphrey Joint Learning and Resource Center – 2004 to 2007
- Managed two learning centers serving more than 2000 employees in the regional offices of BCBSM in Lansing and Grand Rapids.
- Conducted computer competency assessment. Designed improvement plans and implemented basic, intermediate and advanced computer literacy training. Coached, mentored, and supported employees pursuing academic development and improvement of task and project management skills. Assisted employees developing prior learning credit portfolios.
- Verifiable Achievements:
- Achieved a 100% increment in employee participation in educational activities, improving ROI in education and training investment.
- Developed and introduced a research-based framework for the implementation of ROI metrics in education and workforce development.
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Graduate/Professional Assistant – 2001 to 2003
Office of Admissions and Scholarships / College of Veterinary Medicine
- Provided direct support in the implementation of recruitment and retention plans for underrepresented populations in higher education. Conducted admissions presentations, assisted with recruitment programs, and evaluated student’s admissions applications.
- Achievements: Provided technical support in the development of the first electronic newsletter for prospective students. Conducted a research-based assessment of MSU’s College Achievement Admissions Program.
UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO IN MAYAGUEZ (UPRM)
Director of Media and Community Relations, Office of the Chancellor – 1999 to 2000
- Successfully developed a Community Relations program.
- Served as liaison between the university and external constituents: community organizations, government agencies, and industry leaders.
- Designed and implemented communications and marketing strategies.
- Counseled and advised the campus CEO, academic leaders and senior administrators in Public Relations strategies.
- Conducted communications training for staff involved in handling media requests.
- Verifiable 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.
- Managed a consolidated budget of $1 million.
- Helped the university secure a multi-million-dollar intergovernmental agreement for the development of Puerto Rico’s Techno-Economic Corridor.
- 1999 Union of American Women Award for outstanding work in academic journalism.
- Other positions held at UPRM:
- Assistant copywriter, Copywriter, and Editor, 1991 to 2001
- Spanish Instructor/Teaching Assistant, 1997 to 1999.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN JOURNALISM
Manager/Publishing Editor, Community Newspaper “Ventana a San Sebastián”, 1999 – 2001
- Managed operations of local newspaper in San Sebastián, PR: content, advertisement, printing and distribution.
- Managed and provided leadership to a team of 5 staff members.
PUBLICATIONS and PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS
Hensley, L., Avila-Medina, F., Gillespie, T., Lee, H. W., Masonheimer, A., Nagpal, M., Perry, A., Varzeas, K., & You, Y. (2020). Compassionate teaching during COVID-19: Key approaches in a college success course. The Learning Assistance Review, 25, pp. 349-359.
Avila-Medina, Ferdinand (2019). A Four Girders Framework for Academic Success. 3rd Annual Conference of the Ohio College Learning Centers Association, Marietta, Ohio.
Soto-Cabán, Sandra, Selvi, Emre, and Avila-Medina, Ferdinand (2011). “Improving Communication Skills: Using PECHAKUCHA Style in Engineering Courses,” Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference, June 2011, Vancouver, BC, CA.
SELECTED NON-PROFIT SERVICE
Board Member (2018-2021), League of United Latin American Citizens, Ohio. LULAC is the largest and oldest Hispanic organization in the United States. Served as State Director of Technology and State Co-Director of Education.
Board Member (2017-2019), Evergreen Village, New Concord, Ohio – 2017-2019. Evergreen Village is a non-profit organization that provides affordable housing to senior citizens and people with disabilities. Served as Director of the Finance Committee with fiduciary duties over $1.2 million in assets.
Board Member, The State News, Michigan State University (2001-2003). The State News is one of the last independent nonprofit student-run media organizations in the country. Member of the Finance Committee with fiduciary duties over $4million assets and investment portfolio.
EDUCATION
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, College of Education
M.A. Higher Education Administration / Adult Education (HALE)
UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO in Mayagüez, College of Arts and Sciences
B.A. Hispanics Studies