QUALIFICATIONS PROFILE


  • Extensive experience as program director for educational events and new initiatives, especially those related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • Highly efficient in organizational planning and budget management. Especially successful in overcoming challenges of limited resources, effectively designing high-quality, cost-effective programming.
  • Dedicated educator trained to introduce essential critical thinking skills that enable students to more effectively organize and compare information to make thoughtful decisions. Skilled at creating a sense of community in the classroom, one that fosters life-long learning.
  • Service-centered advocate and counselor with a focused commitment to building strong relationships that authentically reflect compassion, charity, and genuine concern for the welfare of others. Committed to supporting the development of community ministries and non-profit organizations that serve traditionally disenfranchised communities. Skilled in community outreach, building community support, key coalitions and strategic partnerships with agencies and departments.

EDUCATION

Master of Professional Studies, CORNELL UNIVERSITY - Ithaca, New York
Major in Africana Studies: master's thesis research in the Social Construction of Race in America using literature as a form of qualitative analysis and exploration.  Thesis included the completion of a novel.

Bachelor of Arts, MILLS COLLEGE - Oakland, California
Major in Communications: Video Production; minor in Ethnic Studies.

Additional Graduate Studies

Counselor Education/School Counseling: completed core curriculum; practicum at Eastside High School. UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, Gainesville, Florida

Families in Youth Development, College of Health, Education, and Human Development. CLEMSON UNIVERSITY Fall, 2013.

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE


Director of Equitable Learning & Community Caretaker, Wayfinding Academy, Portland, OR; August 2020-Current
  • Develop and strengthen efforts to create an inclusive and equitable community for students, crew, faculty, and Guides
  • Develop and strengthen partnerships with organizations that work with students of color, including occasionally traveling offsite to assist Matchmaking (recruitment team) expand their reach and relationships
  • Collaborate with the Board to increase diversity and representation on the Board of Directors.
  • Collaborate with the President to increase diversity and representation among faculty, Guides, and crew.
  • Collaborate with the President and equity and inclusion committee to develop medium- and long-term strategies for organizational and industry-wise dismantling of systemic racism in college settings.
  • Student support and assistance serving as the go-to person for our students when they are having challenges or need additional support. This could include mental and physical health referrals, conflict management, as well as feedback and evaluation.
  • Making student connections by helping to connect students to each other and the world around them
  • Ensure students have ways to bond as a student body, with the broader Wayfinding community, and with the general community as a whole. This includes planning fun events for students, creating days of service, and putting together excursions and outings.
  • Facilitate student development within the BIPOC student affiliate group
  • Lead in developing programming for alumni engagement
 Anti-Defamation League Facilitator, Pacific Northwest Region; April 2019-Current

  • Lead A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute workshops, anti-bias training and education programs for students, school staff and parents/families.

Education Specialist, Training and Development Department, Goodwill Industries of Columbia-Willamette, Portland, OR; April, 2019 - March, 2020 

  • Facilitated learning workshops for GICW employees, leadership staff, and community members.
  • Assisted with customizing curriculum based on the stakeholders and managers' goals.
  • Strengthened and maintain community partnerships; support positive impact of the program through services and individuals served.
  • Coached adult learners to pursue and accomplish educational goals through pilot program ed2go.

Principal/Teacher, Rosemary Anderson High School, New Columbia Campus, Portland, OR; March, 2016 - August, 2018 
  • Taught World Studies, U.S. History, Economics, and Art to high school scholars using project-based learning and other methods that best fit independent learning styles.
  • Led administrative team and instructors in creating a safe and supportive campus community.
  • Developed policies and procedures that support differentiated learning styles, special needs, and behavioral challenges of students.
  • Engaged with parents to ensure open communication.
  • Collaborated with leaders from other campuses to develop standardized practices across the organization.
  • Supervised student re-engagement, enrollment, and academic progress.
  • Supervised response to discipline, crisis management and emergencies.
  • Observed and assessed instruction and planned professional development for improvement and growth.
Director, Educational Strategy; Leadership Development, Elementary; Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools, Metanoia Youth Leadership Academy, Metanoia Community Development Corporation, North Charleston, SC;  March 2011 – March 2016
  • Developed, supervised and evaluated MYLA team to ensure members are trained, had sufficient resources and were adequately supported in the accomplishment of the goals of the program.
  • Monitor discipline, behavioral growth and character development of young leaders, ensuring the culture authentically fosters the mission and vision of Metanoia.
  • Built and maintained strong partnerships with parents, volunteers and community members that enhance the program's capacity to build young leaders.
  • Researched, wrote,  initiated, and monitored effectiveness of leadership development curriculum for 1st-12th grades that is academically infused for differentiated learning, project based, and meets both the Metanoia Leadership Standards and 21st century skills.
  • Diligently worked to ensure financial accountability.
  • Created and implemented opportunities to engage with and support families. 
  • Responsible for managing conflict resolution and ensuring restorative justice within the program
Director, Christian Education, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Gainesville, FL; July 2004 – January, 2008
  • Responsible for budget and program management related to families with children ages 0-11.
  • Recruited, hired, supported and provided training for teachers, paid personnel and volunteers.
  • Coordinated communications including annual education brochure and the bi-annual newsletter.
Program Coordinator, Chrysalis Community, Inc., Gainesville, FL; February – October, 2007
  • Responsible for case management and direct services to homeless female residents, including individual and group counseling, record keeping, referral and follow-up services.
  • Coordinated fundraisers, community outreach initiatives, and conducted grant research.
  • Managed communications, including bi-annual newsletter, press releases, articles, general correspondence.
Director, Multicultural Center (MCC), University of Oregon, Eugene, OR; July 2000 – July 2001 (Interim)
  • General administration of center activity including event planning, program initiative, staff supervision, correspondence, public relations, fundraising, marketing, scheduling, and budget management.
  • Served as advocate and mentor for student activists, developed students’ leadership skills, and acted as advisor to the University on issues pertinent to the mission of the MCC and its constituents.
  • Provided academic advisement and career guidance as needed.
Advisor & Program Coordinator, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; January 1997 – May 2000
  • Initiated and developed educational conferences and programmed student activities.
  • Served as Interim Director of the Institute of Black Culture and the Institute for Hispanic/Latino Cultures.
  • Advisor to the Asian Student Union and NATION (Native American Tribal Interest Organizational Network.)

TEACHING EXPERIENCE


Faculty/Instructor, Wayfinding Academy, Portland, OR January, 2020 - Current
  • Design curriculum and teach Foundations of Resilience and Equity & Liberation coursework
Education Specialist, Goodwill Industries Columbia-Willamette, Portland, OR; April 2019-current
  • Facilitate learning workshops for employees, leadership staff, and community members.
  • Assist with customizing curriculum offerings based on stakeholders and managers' goals.
  • Strengthen and maintain community partnerships; support positive impact of the program through services and individuals served.

Teacher, SooJung International Christian School, Incheon, South Korea; March 2010 - March 2011
  • Taught all subjects to third grade Korean students who speak English as a foreign language (EFL).
  • Taught EFL to kindergarten class, one period per day, three times per week.
  • Co-taught EFL to adults three times per week.
  • Volunteer coordinator for Children's English Worship Service at SooJung Church
Writing Lab Specialist, Santa Fe College, Gainesville, FL; January 2009 – February 2010
  • Assist students prepare essays for academic coursework, professional communications, and scholarship applications.
Instructor, Upward Bound, Santa Fe Community College, Gainesville, FL; September, 2005 – March, 2006
  • Prepared high school students for FCAT, SAT and college preparatory English.
Adjunct Instructor, English Department, Lake City Community College, Lake City, FL; Spring, 2005
  • Freshman Composition 1 (ENC 1101) and Student Success (SLS 1101).
Adjunct Instructor, English Department, Santa Fe College, Gainesville, FL; June, 2005 – December, 2005
  • College Composition (ENC 1101).
Instructor, Black Studies Department, California State University, Long Beach, CA; August, 2001 – May, 2004

FIELDS OF INTEREST

Arts & Culture; Faith & Family; Christian Spirituality, Transformative Education, Children & Youth Development; Community Service Learning, Foreign Film, American Media & Culture, Creative Non-Fiction, Speculative Fiction