Experience

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  Kalamazoo county road commission

  Mar 2005 - May 2005

  Temporary administrative asst./receptionist

  •Greeted and directed clients and client calls, operated multi-line phone and switchboard system •Handled basic accounting duties using QuickBooks and Excel, including payroll, cash transactions, receipt writing, balancing invoices and accounting spreadsheets•Assisted with driveway/mailbox permit applications and incoming/outgoing mail and mail machine operations•Responsible for scanning and editing of over 30 years of Commission meeting minutes•Handled file management, data entry, and all inter-office communication Show less

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  Michigan works service center for allegan county

  May 2005 - Aug 2006

  • Responsible for organizing and updating files for 500 clients affected by federal Trade Act• Performed data validation and data entry on three Access databases and the Michigan Information System (MIS) database• Met with 300 clients on regular basis to assist with eligibility and benefit paperwork and to resolve problems regarding Unemployment Insurance (UI), Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA) and Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA)• Presented small-group overviews of UI and TAA benefits and application procedures to eligible workers• Provided essential translation services between office staff and approximately 150 Spanish-speaking clients and translated all documents and correspondence; providing services to a previously underserved population Show less •Responsible for initial intake and direction of clients, answering telephone, directing calls and taking messages•Answered questions regarding the Workforce Investment Act, Trade Act, Unemployment Insurance, and job training and readiness programs•Assisted approximately 800 clients with entry of resume onto the Michigan Talent Bank website, with basic computer usage and job search navigation•Matched job orders with appropriate client, and assisted large number of clients with writing resumes, cover letters and thank-you notes•Resolved client Unemployment Insurance issues•Handled data entry, filing, creating spreadsheets, updating records, and documentation validation Show less

  • Records Coordinator for Trade Adjustment Assistance Program

    Oct 2005 - Aug 2006

  • Administrative Assistant/Receptionist

    May 2005 - Oct 2005
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  Cornell annual fund

  Sept 2006 - Dec 2006

  Director's office assistant

  •Provided administrative support for Annual Fund events and special projects•Helped coordinate mass solicitation and volunteer mailings•Assisted program area staff in maintaining overall workflow of the office•Responsible for creating and editing documents and presentations, letter writing, responding to donor requests, organizing, data entry, photocopying and creating files

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  Population services international (psi)

  Jul 2007 - Dec 2007

  Intern - new business

  • Researched & created profiles of 40+ partner organizations to create internal database for grant partnering strategy • Managed pipeline for identifying, tracking and pursuing new business and potential funding opportunities • Researched prospective donors pinpointing possible opportunities for under-funded areas• Assisted staff with proposal and report writing, including administrative, technical and cost components• Coordination and logistical planning of the First AIDSTAR Partners’ Council Meeting, which involved 14 professional partner organizations Show less

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  Michigan works! service center for allegan county

  Oct 2008 - Sept 2010

  Career advisor/case manager

  •Provided case management for 200+ dislocated workers involved in the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program, the Federal Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program and Michigan's No Worker Left Behind Program•Resolved benefit issues; answered questions regarding Unemployment Insurance and Trade Act benefits•Advised clients on career pathways, assessed their skills and abilities, discussed job prospects, and provided supportive services to ensure successful re-training and career transitions•Led weekly workshops for 15-20 participants on program eligibility, labor market research and career exploration•Led Rapid Response meetings at closing companies; provide information and services to affected workers•Consistently met all grant-related outcome and performance measures Show less

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  Davenport university

  Sept 2010 - Jan 2013

  Advisor

  •Advised 200+ students on course selection and degree and graduation requirements•Built relationships with students to enhance student engagement, success and retention•Assisted students in establishing graduation plans and steps for obtaining degrees based on career and life goals•Addressed student alerts to monitor standards of progress and ensure student success•Helped students identify and address barriers that could hinder their ability to achieve their educational goals•Assisted students with financial aid process and collect and route all documents related to financial aid Show less

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  Western michigan university

  Jan 2013 - Sept 2014

  Coordinator of services, college assistance migrant program (camp)

  •Design & provide intrusive advising and other support services to 30-40 first-generation college students with backgrounds in migrant or seasonal farm work•Teach 15-20 students in first-year seminar course to help with their transition to the university and to provide them with skills necessary to be successful students•Build relationships with students to enhance student engagement, success and retention•Hire, train, schedule, supervise, and provide professional development opportunities to 4 peer mentors who meet with students on a weekly basis•Provide guidance on financial aid options, rules and regulations to students and their families•Develop bi-weekly workshop topics to introduce students to campus resources and opportunities to enhance their college experience and undergraduate success•Coordinate speakers for first-year seminar and bi-weekly workshops •Create syllabi, participation agreements, training manuals, participation handbooks, individual success plans, academic success plans, and other documents as needed•Inform students of deadlines pertaining to financial aid, class registration, class withdrawal, residence life, etc.•Handle need requests from students and make appropriate community referrals and appointments•Provide transportation to students to fulfill unmet needs•Supervise students during field trips, conferences, and other program activities•Maintain program files, notes, and documentation of services•Report on services provided Show less

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  Kalamazoo college

  Sept 2014 - now

  •Fulfill reporting and certification requirements of U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security & Dept. of State as Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for the college; maintain Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) •Advise ~130 students on immigration processes, including applying for new F-1 and J-1 visas, work authorizations, reinstatement, change of status, etc., as well as U.S. tax and labor laws•Spearhead annual International Student Orientation; involving multiple campus and community stakeholders •Counsel students on personal, academic, and cultural matters; create workshops and programming to support student success and retention•Supervise and train staff and student employees, graduate student intern, & volunteers•Manage study abroad and away programs in the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean; portfolio consisting of 11 programs in 6 countries•Conduct site visits to strengthen partnerships and evaluate programs; collaborate to create new programs•Help students determine suitability of programs, and understand requirements, application process, costs, financial aid, & all academic policies•Create & provide orientations for each program; collaborate to provide information on health, safety, mental wellness abroad, identity and cultural humility, as well as reintegration information•Maintain relationships with professional organizations, such as NAFSA, The Forum on Education Abroad, & Diversity Abroad, to keep abreast of changes in federal rules and regulations and exchange best practices Show less

  • Associate Director, Center for International Programs

    Sept 2022 - now

  • Assistant Director, Center for International Programs

    Dec 2016 - Sept 2022

  • Advisor for International Students & Study Abroad in the Americas

    Sept 2014 - Dec 2016
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  Beautycounter

  Mar 2019 - now

  Consultant

  •Direct sales of high-performing, safer beauty and personal care products•Educate public about harmful effects that ingredients can have on the body and the importance of choosing products with safer ingredients •Advocate for better governmental regulation of beauty industry