Dr. La'Zarvius Ferguson

Experience

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  First National Bank of Texas

  Jan 2007 - Jan 2010

  Senior Banker

  Mastered sales territories to sustain steady portfolio growth of entire sales team providing motivation and techniques to close the sale. Unified staff for common goal by conducting sales training exercises, role plays, and customer rebuttals. Overhauled collection efforts on delinquent accounts utilizing consultative strategies to recover delinquent funds. Reconciled end-of-year fiscal data for upper management.KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS:• Exceeded monthly sales goals 200% by customizing diversified financial packages for proper allocation, conducting sales presentations, and generating a sales pipeline month-to-month.• Educated students and parents regarding the pros and cons of student loan borrowing, the application process, and what’s needed for responsible borrowing. Show less

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  ATI Acquisition Company

  Jan 2010 - Jan 2013

  Director of Financial Aid, Corporate Compliance Specialists, & Financial Analysts

  Led a student-focused team of over 30 of the best financial directors, managers, and representatives to excellence under high-stress deadlines and enrollment periods, generating over $40M in quarterly revenue. Maintained the highest level of document confidentiality and remained up-to-date on changing policies and procedures in accordance to government regulations. Anticipated system and department issues addressing them swiftly, thus leaving day-to-day operations undisturbed. Prepared and reviewed financial statements and reconciliations of G5/Operating Accounts.KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS:• Reduced $25M annual budget 28% by taking advantage of technological advances, reducing waste, and eliminating unnecessary practices.• Developed action plan to correct department violations and deficiencies, reevaluating periodically to track progression of plan success. • Uncovered over $7M in cost savings opportunities through the restructuring of human capital, an in-depth comparative analysis of compensation, re-evaluation of lease vs. buy strategy of assets, and by taking advantage of vendor discounts.• Established standard operating system for financial aid departments across multiple campuses. Show less

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  DuVall's School of Cosmetology

  Jan 2013 - Jan 2016

  Director of Finance

  Developed and implemented strategic repositioning, program evaluation, and full operational management for department with a keen focus on raising standards of operations, risk management, advice and student service. Provided insight and corrective action when necessary during performance evaluations ensuring consistency and efficiency at all times. Remained consistently in line with annual financial plans and with Department of Education financial facts/statements policies and procedures during document submission processes. KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS:• Reduced collection account balances 66% by implementing new collection system to reduce student balances within weeks of tenure.• Decreased Default Cohort Rate 63% in one quarter, thus preventing institution from losing federal student aid eligibility under section 435(a) (2) and section 401(j) of the Higher Education Act of 1965.• Reconciled 4 operating accounts with transactions totaling 9.3M within 5 hours, which had been out of balance a few months prior to my onboarding.• Added $200K in annual revenue by making Title IV and private student loan programs available to students for the first time.• Expert in Title IV program functions coordinating team to excellence during annual reconciliations, cash flow monitoring, internal audits, and day-to-day fiscal tasks. Show less

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  New Media Arts Training (AHED)

  Jan 2016 - Jan 2017

  Regional Director of Financial Aid

  Directed the Financial Aid/Student Accounts operations across 6 OPEID’s, with 8 direct reports and 10 indirect reports, to complete major financial deliverables. Monitored operating budgets, forecasted cash flows, and performed necessary compliance audits across multiple departments. Evaluated departmental performances for consistency and investigated any variances or deviations. Oversaw Cash Management operations Accounts Payable/Receivable, Cash Receipts, and 3rd party wires.KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS:• Restored Title IV, State, and VA funding to all campuses within weeks of tenure.• Reduced monthly regional expenses by 13% by implementing in house Finance processing; eliminating the need for 3rd party servicing. Companied by in-depth ongoing training for all applicable staff to ensure smooth transition and continued compliance.• Decreased bad debt by 40% and increased Non-Eligible student population by 85% by introducing specialized private lending sources; especially those not eligible for federal funding. Show less

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  Brookline College

  Jan 2016 - Jan 2022

  Faculty Member

  Facilitate online courses in the Undergraduate Business Programs. Focus: Finance, Accounting, and Management

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  IEC Holdings

  Jan 2017 - Jan 2018

  Director of Student Finance

  Developed and directed financial aid strategies within the framework of institutional, federal, and state regulations that are consistent with enrollment management initiatives and institutional retention efforts.

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  Self Employed

  Jan 2018 - Jan 2024

  Financial Aid & Finance Consultant

  Health Career Institute (06/2018-09/2018): Title IV & Academic 100% Audit (Ref: Trish Leonard Principal Consultant)Trinity Career Inst (06/2018-07/2018): CIE (State Agency) Application and Preparation (Ref: Jen W. Lead Consultant)Bush’s L & C (10/2018-12/2024): Fiscal Affairs, Georgia Payroll, and AR/AP GP & Intuit (Ref. Nesa Bush Owner/Operator)She’s Still Missing (04/2023-Present): Fiscal Affairs (Ref. Jennifer Wiley/President)

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  Concorde Career Colleges

  Jan 2019 - now

  • Associate Vice President of Financial Aid

    Jan 2025 - now

  • Senior Corporate Director of Financial Aid

    Jan 2019 - Jan 2025
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  University of the People

  Jan 2022 - Jan 2024

  Visiting Professor

  Courses being taught:MBA CapstoneBusiness CommunicationsMarketing ManagementBusiness ManagementOrganizational BehaviorMultinational ManagementMicroeconomics Macroeconomics Managerial AccountingPrinciples of Finance

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  Outlier

  Jul 2024 - now

  Artificial Intelligence Researcher

  Conduct research, design experiments, and implement machine learning and deep learning algorithms to create intelligent and efficient AI solutions.