Kimberly Cooney, Ed.D.

Experience

• 

  Chestnut Hill College

  Aug 2007 - Feb 2019

  • Managed the Office of Student Success through proactive outreach to students, developed intentional programming to meet their needs, administered the department’s budget, and provided leadership for three additional staff members• Reported to the Dean of the School of Undergraduate Studies and the Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management and Communications• Met weekly with students to support their academic success by maintaining student success contracts, establishing mentor relationships, and connecting students to learning support services on campus• Engaged students in the process of exploring, evaluating, and choosing academic programs • Supported the First Year Success and Bretzlaff Programs which were designed for academically and/or financially at-risk first year students• Researched current successful retention and student success practices and developed an appropriate and achievable strategic retention plan• Worked closely with staff/faculty in the development of early intervention programs to help students start their educational experiences with positive learning experiences and early successes• Conducted systematic research and assessment of retention efforts throughout campus and provide recommendations as needed• Coordinated co-curricular programs (i.e. First Year Initiative, personal coaching, Sophomore Success, etc.) in conjunction with additional departments• Collaborative experiences included: Chair of the Retention Committee, member of Staff Council, Griffin Day Committee, Greater Expectations Committee, Clery Collaborative Committee, Wellness Committee, Commencement Planning Committee, and New Student Guide Committee• Presented “Student Success: Through the Lens of Experience” at the 2018 Faculty of the Future Conference sponsored by Bucks County Community College• Presented “Higher Education's Middle Child: Understanding the Sophomore Year Experience” at the 2015 Student Life Symposium sponsored by Chestnut Hill College Show less General Psychology (Psychology Department), Fall 2018Social Welfare Policy (Human Services Department), Spring 2018 and Spring 2019Creating Success: Skills for College and For Lifeo As a part of the First Year Success Program, the course is designed to help students create greater success in college and in life by implementing proven strategies pertaining to their academic, professional, and personal growth (Fall 2011-Fall 2018)First Year Initiative (FYI)o Implemented to help students become engaged and comfortable members of the Chestnut Hill College community, both academically and personally (Fall 2013, 2014, and 2015)Writing Center Faculty Tutor, August 2011-April 2012, Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia, PA Show less • Provided administrative support and project coordination to the Vice President, Dean, and Directors within the Student Life division• Effectively managed the Student Life main office by creating a welcoming atmosphere and served as a "one-stop shop" resource for members of the College community• Assisted the Dean with verification and record keeping related to federal and state compliance regulations• Tracked, monitored, and documented the completion of judicial sanctions• Completed research to support the creation and revision of policies, as well as collected assessment and benchmarking data as needed• Explored opportunities to increase efficiency by utilizing Jenzabar, Advocate, and myCHC, and served as the website content editor for the division• Assisted with planning and coordination for large scale events such as Orientation and Commencement • Collaborative experiences include Chair of the Student Life Technology Committee, Secretary to the VPAA Search Committee, member of Staff Council, Bookstore Committee, Student Life Assessment Committee, SEPCHE Diversity Conference Planning Committee, Griffin Day Committee, and New Student Guide Committee• Participated in Campus Connect: Suicide Prevention Training for Gate Keepers-Spring 2013 Show less • Provided support that engaged students in the process of exploring, evaluating, and choosing academic programs• Advised students in difficulty and worked with them to establish academic success plans • Coordinated resources for academic success such as maintaining student success contracts, establishing mentor relationships, and connecting students to learning support services on campus• Acted as the liaison between the College’s Diocesan Scholars program and local area high schools• Served as an integral member of the Summer and Transfer Orientation events• Received referral reports from faculty; performed and recorded student interventions• Developed faculty workshops regarding how to best serve students experiencing difficulty • Served as a member of the Wellness Committee to help identify students at risk• Mentored Fall Success students through outreach, biweekly meetings, etc. • Reviewed transcripts and processed course equivalencies Show less • Assessed student feedback and implemented programs and events to meet the personal, academic, social, spiritual, and physical needs of students• Coordinated large-scale campus-wide events such as: New Student Orientation, Welcome Back Week, Family Weekend, etc.• Advised the Student Government Association (SGA) and Chestnut Hill Activities Team (CHAT) • Supervised the Assistant Director of Student Activities, student workers, and summer interns in the office• Managed the department’s budget (>$180,000) for general activities and additional items funded by the student activity fee• Researched, developed, and implemented the “Fall in Love with Philly” ticketing program which allowed students to purchase passes for public transportation and Philadelphia landmarks for discounted rates• Assisted in the development of the comprehensive and integrated leadership program (IDEAS) for student leaders including retreats, workshops, and speakers• Conducted surveys and focus groups as an ongoing evaluation method to improve student activities’ events• Collaborated with numerous departments to assist in the success of the College such as: the Going Green Committee, Founder’s Day Celebration Committee, and Graduation Planning Committee Show less • Planned weekly events, as well as weekend off-campus trips for resident and commuter students• Advised the Student Government Association (SGA) and Chestnut Hill Activities Team (CHAT) to organize events and assisted in their leadership development• Managed all aspects of student organizations including approval of events• Implemented Fridays After Dark programming – Chestnut Hill College’s Friday late night events• Assisted in the research and development of a student activity fee that funded new initiatives for the office• Developed strategies to ensure effective publicity and promotion of student activities’ events• Managed all advertisements including: Bulletin boards, social media accounts, campus PowerPoint, etc.• Provided leadership training and recognition for student leaders • Supervised and mentored the Program Coordinator staff member Show less

  • Director of Student Success

    Apr 2014 - Feb 2019

  • Adjunct Faculty Instructor

    Aug 2011 - Feb 2019

  • Assistant to the Vice President for Student Life

    Nov 2012 - Apr 2014

  • Academic Advisor

    Apr 2012 - Dec 2012

  • Director of Student Activities

    Jul 2009 - Aug 2011

  • Assistant Director of Student Activities and Leadership

    Aug 2007 - Jun 2009
• 

  Immaculata University

  Jul 2017 - now

  Adjunct Faculty

  • Dissertation Seminar (Fall 2021 and Fall 2023): The hybrid course exposes students to fundamental elements of scholarly inquiry and the research process including exploration of dissertation topics, ethics, and strategies for success • Adult and Student Development (Summer 2017, Summer 2019, and Summer 2023): The hybrid course examines theories related to the physical, cognitive, emotional, social and spiritual development of students. • Introduction to Higher Education (Summer 2018): The hybrid course provides an over-arching view of the customs, values, and traditions of higher education to better understand present and future implications • The Student Transition (Winter 2017 and Spring 2018): Developed and taught the hybrid course which focused on the analysis of the student transition from high school to college • Dissertation Committee Member (Spring 2024-Present): Perceptions and Impact of Professional Development on Part-Time Faculty at a Community College• Dissertation Committee Member (Spring 2023-Present)-Topic: Recognizing the Need: A Qualitative Case Study of Partnerships Between Community Colleges •Dissertation Chairperson (Summer 2023-Summer 2024)-Topic: Persistence Factors of Latinx College Students at Four-Year Private, Predominantly White Institutions• Dissertation Committee Member (Fall 2021-Fall 2022)-Topic: Nursing Student Perceptions of Perseverance and Passion in Nursing Education • Dissertation Chairperson (Summer 2019-Summer 2022)-Topic: Lived Experiences that Influence Persistence of Hispanic/Latino College Students • Dissertation Chairperson (Fall 2021-Summer 2022)-Topic: At the Starting Line: The College Transition Experience of Black Female Student-Athletes• Dissertation Chairperson (Fall 2019-Spring 2021)-Topic: Perceptions of White Privilege among Community College Faculty • Dissertation Committee Member (Summer 2018-Spring 2019)-Topic: Adult Learners Motivation to Strive for Academic Success Show less

• 

  Temple University

  Feb 2019 - Sept 2021

  Manager of Student Success and Retention

  • Assisted Ambler undergraduate and graduate students with all aspects of advising, academic planning, and achieving personal and professional goals including course selection, major exploration, academic coaching, ensuring students are meeting academic program requirements, and clearing students for graduation• Supervised the part-time Academic Advisor including coordination of onboarding and continuous professional development• Developed, coordinated, and implemented innovative advising programs and services that help maintain and improve student success and retention at Ambler Campus• Served as a member of the Academic and Student Services leadership team, reported to the Director of Academic and Student Services• Monitored students at-risk through registration status, financial holds, academic standing, midterm ratings, etc.; developed interventions to support at-risk students and connect them to the appropriate resources• Collected and analyzed data and trends in the higher education field as related to retention efforts• Oversaw New Student Orientation for all Ambler students each semester in conjunction with the Assistant Director of Student and Campus Life• In conjunction with Central Transfer Admissions, managed the recruitment and enrollment process of transfer students to the Ambler Campus; examples include attending college fairs, partnering with local community colleges with events and classroom visits, and being a member of the external group, Transfer Admissions and Academic Advising Committee (TAAC)• Assisted the team with planning and implementing Transfer Thursdays, Transfer Decision Days, Open Houses, and other on-campus recruitment events• Served as the Ambler Campus representative on the following Main Campus committees: Academic Advising Directors group, Retention/At-Risk Committee, Assessment Committee, and Transfer Experts Committee Show less

• 

  Gwynedd Mercy University

  Sept 2021 - now

  Academic Advising and Retentiono Provide holistic leadership and support for the academic advising team from day-to-day operations to strategic planningo Directly supervise the Academic Advisor and Retention Specialists, Academic Advisor for Nursing and Health Studies, and the University Studies Advisor and Student Success Specialisto Assist advisees (University Studies, Health Studies) with course registration and planning, major exploration, identifying campus resources, and interpreting academic policyo Assist the Dean of Student Success with the implementation and oversight of university-wide retention and persistence initiativesReady, Set, Griffins Orientation Programo Oversee the three-part New Student Orientation program for first-year students and transfer students:o Part One: Griffin Ready: Serve as the Chair of the Griffin Ready Planning Committee; oversee the coordination and execution of the Griffin Ready programs o Part Two: Griffin Set: Implement an online component to serve as the pre-orientation aspecto Part Three: Griffins! Orientation: Co-Chair of the Orientation Planning Team (OPT); interview, select, and train Orientation Leaders (OL); develop orientation programs to support traditional first year and transfer students Course Development and Coordination: Oversee the course development and management of three first-year courses:o Research, create, and enhance the prescribed curriculum for the three courses: Weekly content, corresponding activities, syllabi, assignments and grading rubrics, Instructor Canvas shells, and instructor handbooks for additional resourceso Address UNV course-related administrative needs (course schedule, monitor enrollment, student concerns, grading appeals, incompletes, etc.)FYE Engagement and Collaborationo Facilitate first-year retention initiatives such as Alpha Lambda Delta (ALD), Spring Forward Initiative, FYE Newsletters, National Transfer Student Week, etc. Show less • GMercyU Success (Fall 2021-Present): As a part of the UNV program, this is the first course in the core curriculum and assists students with the transition into the Gwynedd Mercy University community.• GMercyU Service (Spring 2022-Present): As a part of the UNV program, this course nurtures student development for service to society within the Mercy tradition through participation in a service activity and written reflection. • Major Exploration (Fall 2023): As a part of the UNV program, this course is designed to help students explore majors in a holistic, interactive, and intentional manner. Show less Course Development and Coordination: Oversaw the course development and management of three first-year courses. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:o Researched, created, and enhanced the prescribed curriculum for the three courses: Weekly content, corresponding activities, syllabi, assignments and grading rubrics, Instructor Canvas shells, and instructor handbooks for additional resourceso Led ongoing instructor meetings and training to provide updates, best practices, and discuss progress in the courseo Developed, supported, and evaluated FYE instructors and the FYE courseso Provided resources and support for service-learning opportunities including direct, indirect, and advocacy related best practices, external partners, and resourceso Served as a liaison to the Distinctive Mercy Experience (DME) committee and incorporated the Griffin Edge: DME into FYE courseso Addressed FYE course-related administrative needs (course schedule, monitor enrollment, student concerns, grading appeals, incompletes, etc.)FYE Engagement and Collaborationo Implemented and advised local chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta: Honor Society for First-Year Academic Successo Assisted with the planning and facilitation of New Student Orientation Programs in conjunction with Student Engagemento Facilitated first-year retention initiatives such as Spring Forward Initiative, FYE Newsletters, National Transfer Student Week, Transfer Success Program, etc.o Served on the General Admissions Committee to evaluate potential students who do not meet University admissions requirementso Represented FYE and assisted with enrollment events, such as Open Houses, Accepted Students Day, high school events, and registration eventso Organized and facilitated FYE Professionals Group monthly meetings (external collaboration) as well as the yearly symposiumo Taught two courses a semester in the First-Year Experience (FYE) Program Show less

  • Assistant Dean of Student Success and First Year Initiatives

    Jul 2023 - now

  • Adjunct Faculty

    Sept 2021 - now

  • Director, First-Year Experience

    Sept 2021 - Jul 2023