Nature Program Coordinator at OAKBROOK TERRACE PARK DISTRICT (2022-01 – 2025-12)
Created and delivered nature-based programming to a variety of audiences including youth, families, scout groups, schools, adult day programs. Developed and supervised programming for individuals with disabilities. Steered community outreach efforts and program decisions to align with community needs.
- Supported the park district's award winning ACAMP (Animal Care Mentorship Program), mentoring and coordinating activities for groups of students from two local school transition programs.
- Increased summer camp enrollments by over 200% by developing, marketing, and executing unique programming based on community demands.
- Developed and implemented a volunteer program for adults with developmental disabilities in partnership with Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association (NEDSRA)
Interim Director / Program and Strategic Initiatives Manager at LITERACY DUPAGE (2017-01 – 2021-12)
Managed the daily operations of a leading adult literacy organization, recruiting, training and matching over 300 volunteer tutors to assist 500+ low literate adults improve their functional literacy skills through customized instruction based upon learner needs. Researched, developed, and managed strategic initiatives.
- Led the organization through a major leadership and staffing transition during the COVID-19 pandemic building staff capacity through training, hiring, and team building.
- Implemented the use a new program database streamlining data tracking and reporting.
- Improved the operational and cost efficiency of tutor training, matching, support, and reporting through targeted process improvements.
- Developed a comprehensive employer-based workplace literacy program model successfully securing the organization's largest grant award to date from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) under WIOA.
- Built and leveraged major partnerships with the College of DuPage (COD) Adult Education Department, WorkNet DuPage, COD's Business Development Center, multiple Chambers of Commerce, and manufacturing roundtables to market and establish onsite programming at six DuPage County employers.
- Conducted in-depth workplace needs analyses and pre- and post- skill-based assessments with employer stakeholders to develop customized curriculum, determine class placement, and measure individual learner progress towards stated goals and objectives.
- Established partnerships with healthcare providers at over a dozen local medical centers and immediate care providers as well as the DuPage County Health Department alleviating the burdens of low literacy on the health hundreds of non-English speaking patients.
- Quintupled the cost efficiency of learner intake and assessment processes by centralizing intake communications and designing and implementing novel data tracking tools and processes.
Naturalist at DUPAGE COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE (2016-01 – 2017-12)
Supported the development and delivery of community programming and outreach efforts.
- Created and delivered youth, family, and adult programming to hundreds of visitors.
- Coordinated and executed program marketing efforts to schools and community partners.
Community Relations Assistant at BROOKFIELD ZOO (CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY) (2012-01 – 2014-12)
Led efforts to build relationships in underserved Chicagoland communities and deliver STEM focused career ladder programming starting in Early Childhood through adults inspiring the next generation of science and conservation leaders.
- Expanded programming to four additional underserved communities collaborating with community partners to ensure successful programming.
- Served as the liaison for Spanish speaking career pathway participants.
- Coordinated the recruitment, selection, and placement of College Experiential Learning Interns.
- Assisted in the recruitment, selection and placement of over 50 Youth Volunteer Core high school participants and 25 College Experiential Learning interns to gain valuable work and life experience.
- Served on the Diversity and Inclusion committee (ARCOIRIS).
Academic Support Specialist / Adult Education Instructor (ESL & ABE) at MORTON COLLEGE
Managed the daily operations of Morton College's adult literacy tutoring program, Project CARE. Recognized for exemplary AmeriCorps service and offered a permanent position as Project Care's Academic Support Specialist.
- Created a locally recognized Workplace Literacy onsite program for Backstretch workers at the Hawthorne Racetrack.
- Supported tutors and learners by developing in-service workshops, materials, lesson plans, books, and providing outside professional development opportunities through partners.
- Quadrupled learner numbers by establishing relationships with community partners driving grant funding to increase by over 30%.
- Secured funding and to build a library of consumable tutoring materials available at partner libraries.
- Provided targeted instruction to English as a Second Language (ESL) and Adult Basic Education (ABE) students with over 90% of students experiencing level gains.
- Developed and launched a successful multilevel ESL citizenship class.
