Stephanie Smith
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE ● Over 15 years in higher education and leadership/supervisory experience, over four years as the Dean of Students in an accredited medical college, and as Director of Student Services assisting very diverse student populations.
● Unique leadership experience in for-profit, non-profit, state, and community college settings, and the corporate environment.
● Strong oral and written interpersonal communication skills attributed to several years professional experience working with people in a helping/educating capacity.
● Ability to manage multiple departments/programs in a fast-paced environment; problem solving highly-complex student challenges—working with student records, student development, and counseling.
EDUCATION
Doctor of Education
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College-Leadership and Innovation
Arizona State University West, Glendale, AZ 5/16
Master of Science in Education, Major: Counseling
Emphasis in Student Development in Higher Education
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 8/98
Bachelor of Science, Major: Psychology Loyola University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 5/92
Associate of Arts, Elgin Community College, Elgin, IL 5/ 90
EXPERIENCE
Director of Student Development, University of Arizona, College of Medicine -Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, 2012-current
· Design, implement and evaluate regular supportive presentations/workshops during Prologue, Capstones, Transitions, Intersessions, and additional programs offered throughout the medical program.
· Coordinate and implement, in conjunction with professional academic advising staff, individualized academic support plans for medical students
· Serve as a student advocate and resource on the following committees including but not limited to: Student Progress, Block/Course/Theme Directors, Assessment/Evaluation, Clinical Curriculum, Manager’s meetings, Educational Policy, Academic Work Group, and Phoenix Educational Policy Committee.
· Meet with all first year students and at-risk students (academic, personal, career, etc.) to promote proactive plan for success and determine any additional support services needed.
· Provide workshops and individual advisement on board planning, CV and personal statement writing and other needs-based workshops.
· Counseling individuals and providing emotional support and a safe place for sensitive student issues to be discussed regarding: time management, anxiety, transition challenges, performance anxiety, professionalism, communication, stress management, etc. in order to promote personal and professional success.
· Collaborate with leadership team to establish departmental goals, outcomes and a strategic plan.
· Advise and provide guidance to students with disabilities and serve as main conduit between students and Disability Resource Center with regard to special needs in the classroom.
· Lead Careers in Medicine Program during appropriate intervals during the program to enhance student knowledge of the career development process and resources and timelines.
· Develop, implement, and review assessment tools for incoming students regarding critical thinking and learning styles. Conduct necessary student surveys or testing ongoing to devise a baseline for which effective programming can take place to enhance student success.
· Participate in admission and orientation activities.
· Maintain information for LCME (accreditation) self-study related to this office in Student Affairs
· Conducting research on other medical schools and determine best practices and/or new ideas for enhancement of student success in medical school.
· Supporting scholarly project initiative by acting and as resource for and maintaining positive working relationship with SP leadership.
Dean of Students, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences, Tempe, AZ 2007-2012
· Counseled individuals through one-on-one sessions and presentations regarding career decision-making, transition management, personal development, values/skills awareness, job search skills, interviewing techniques, and resume preparation.
· Consulted and collaborated with faculty, academic departments, and campus community to develop, coordinate, and market programs, outreach, and special events on and off campus for a campus of 50,000+ students.
· Partnered with admissions department regularly to provide outreach to junior high and high school
students. Provide activities and presentations to inform and motivate them about college.
· Purposefully coordinated and scheduled over 300 customized workshops annually for 6 advisors; Personally conducted approximately 50 per year.
· Built and nurtured partnerships with faculty and staff thereby increasing awareness of services and improvement of overall attendance in workshops by 20%.
· Promoted services to over 1500 parents and high school students through in-and out-of-state recruiting events.
· Supervised career counseling intern on counseling/advising skills, promotion of department services, and presentation skills; Intern was accepted at a large prestigious university as a result.
· Strategized as a team to optimize department’s role in university initiative to increase student retention rates; Over two-year period, retention rate increased by 3% and increased freshmen class by 600 students.
Career Counselor, Elgin Community College, Elgin, IL 1997-1999
· Counseled students and community members regarding complex and diverse career, personal, educational, and crisis issues.
· Worked collaboratively with other departments to ensure student success.
· Supervised, trained, and provided feedback to two career counseling interns on professional techniques related to communication, problem-solving, assessment and evaluation, and presentation skills.
· Administered , analyzed, and evaluated career assessments in both group and individual settings including the Myers Briggs Type Indicator and Strong Interest Inventory.
Customer Service Coach/Trainer, Hewitt Associates, Lincolnshire, IL 1993-1999
· Coached and mentored associates one-on-one on enhancing customer service skills with an emphasis on effective communication, problem solving, and conflict resolution.
· Designed, implemented, and conducted Train the Trainer sessions to improve quality of overall customer service within the center.
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE ● Over 15 years in higher education and leadership/supervisory experience, over four years as the Dean of Students in an accredited medical college, and as Director of Student Services assisting very diverse student populations.
● Unique leadership experience in for-profit, non-profit, state, and community college settings, and the corporate environment.
● Strong oral and written interpersonal communication skills attributed to several years professional experience working with people in a helping/educating capacity.
● Ability to manage multiple departments/programs in a fast-paced environment; problem solving highly-complex student challenges—working with student records, student development, and counseling.
EDUCATION
Doctor of Education
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College-Leadership and Innovation
Arizona State University West, Glendale, AZ 5/16
Master of Science in Education, Major: Counseling
Emphasis in Student Development in Higher Education
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 8/98
Bachelor of Science, Major: Psychology Loyola University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 5/92
Associate of Arts, Elgin Community College, Elgin, IL 5/ 90
EXPERIENCE
Director of Student Development, University of Arizona, College of Medicine -Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, 2012-current
· Design, implement and evaluate regular supportive presentations/workshops during Prologue, Capstones, Transitions, Intersessions, and additional programs offered throughout the medical program.
· Coordinate and implement, in conjunction with professional academic advising staff, individualized academic support plans for medical students
· Serve as a student advocate and resource on the following committees including but not limited to: Student Progress, Block/Course/Theme Directors, Assessment/Evaluation, Clinical Curriculum, Manager’s meetings, Educational Policy, Academic Work Group, and Phoenix Educational Policy Committee.
· Meet with all first year students and at-risk students (academic, personal, career, etc.) to promote proactive plan for success and determine any additional support services needed.
· Provide workshops and individual advisement on board planning, CV and personal statement writing and other needs-based workshops.
· Counseling individuals and providing emotional support and a safe place for sensitive student issues to be discussed regarding: time management, anxiety, transition challenges, performance anxiety, professionalism, communication, stress management, etc. in order to promote personal and professional success.
· Collaborate with leadership team to establish departmental goals, outcomes and a strategic plan.
· Advise and provide guidance to students with disabilities and serve as main conduit between students and Disability Resource Center with regard to special needs in the classroom.
· Lead Careers in Medicine Program during appropriate intervals during the program to enhance student knowledge of the career development process and resources and timelines.
· Develop, implement, and review assessment tools for incoming students regarding critical thinking and learning styles. Conduct necessary student surveys or testing ongoing to devise a baseline for which effective programming can take place to enhance student success.
· Participate in admission and orientation activities.
· Maintain information for LCME (accreditation) self-study related to this office in Student Affairs
· Conducting research on other medical schools and determine best practices and/or new ideas for enhancement of student success in medical school.
· Supporting scholarly project initiative by acting and as resource for and maintaining positive working relationship with SP leadership.
Dean of Students, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences, Tempe, AZ 2007-2012
- Advise, counsel, and provide guidance to naturopathic medical students.
- Develop and maintain relationships-bridging the gap between Academic and Student Affairs, and Enrollment Services, keeping the lines of communication open and working as a team to maintain positive relationships.
- Possess a knowledge of major legal issues involved with student affairs (FERPA, ADA, International F-1 student Visas, etc.).
- Committed to evaluating and developing staff and programs. Assessing effectiveness and increasing efficiency of student support services.
- Supervise one-stop employee who triages students within Enrollment/Student Services.
- Develop, uphold, and revise student and academic affairs-related policies and procedures.
- Develop and implement college-wide retention programs.
- Manage departmental budget and provide guidance for the student organizational budgets.
- Initiated and implemented new tutoring center staffed with upper-class peer tutors. Increased student success in challenging subjects.
- Oversee student activities, including New Student Orientation, White Coat Ceremony, and other events.
- Advise, coordinate, and direct the Student Government Association and student organizations.
- Manage the grievance and appeals processes, and student legal and disciplinary issues in relation to the college.
- Serve on committees including the President’s Council, the Dean’s Council, Academic Progress Committee, Retention Committee, and Enrollment Management Committee.
- Administer, analyze and present results of Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory. Conduct focus groups to clarify goals and priorities for the college and strategize action items. Consistent improvement in results is shown each year.
- Committed to success of students through support services-ensured students with disability were given proper accommodations under ADA. Trained staff to better help support these students.
- Oversaw all functions of the department of Student Services, Responsible for the staffing, training, and growth and development of the team of both full-time staff, and part-time student staff.
- Directed the implementation of newly approved one-stop services called “Student Central” to provide above and beyond customer service to a growing campus. Trained and evaluated employees, maintained a culture of cooperation between admissions, Registrar, Financial Aid, International Coordinator, and Faculty.
- Taught a psychology course to high school juniors and seniors in our summer bridge program. Also taught required Career Development undergraduate courses.
- Ensured proper quarterly and annual campus crime reporting and maintain on-campus security through sophisticated camera system, security staff, and Phoenix Police Officers.
- Led and/or participated in several committees or events related to recruitment and retention including, Her World, Persistence P.AY.S., DeVry Empowering Women (DEW), Security and Crisis Planning, Student Affairs, Student Activities/Sports, Open Houses, Rewards & Recognition.
- Oversaw student run, Starbucks internet café within university, all profits going to Student Activities, a non profit organization benefiting continuous student life.
- Partnered with outsourced housing firm to provide safe and comfortable housing situations for students to reduce attrition rates due to living arrangements.
- Implemented and supervised Student Ambassador program focused on mentorship to new students to positively affect retention rates.
· Counseled individuals through one-on-one sessions and presentations regarding career decision-making, transition management, personal development, values/skills awareness, job search skills, interviewing techniques, and resume preparation.
· Consulted and collaborated with faculty, academic departments, and campus community to develop, coordinate, and market programs, outreach, and special events on and off campus for a campus of 50,000+ students.
· Partnered with admissions department regularly to provide outreach to junior high and high school
students. Provide activities and presentations to inform and motivate them about college.
· Purposefully coordinated and scheduled over 300 customized workshops annually for 6 advisors; Personally conducted approximately 50 per year.
· Built and nurtured partnerships with faculty and staff thereby increasing awareness of services and improvement of overall attendance in workshops by 20%.
· Promoted services to over 1500 parents and high school students through in-and out-of-state recruiting events.
· Supervised career counseling intern on counseling/advising skills, promotion of department services, and presentation skills; Intern was accepted at a large prestigious university as a result.
· Strategized as a team to optimize department’s role in university initiative to increase student retention rates; Over two-year period, retention rate increased by 3% and increased freshmen class by 600 students.
Career Counselor, Elgin Community College, Elgin, IL 1997-1999
· Counseled students and community members regarding complex and diverse career, personal, educational, and crisis issues.
· Worked collaboratively with other departments to ensure student success.
· Supervised, trained, and provided feedback to two career counseling interns on professional techniques related to communication, problem-solving, assessment and evaluation, and presentation skills.
· Administered , analyzed, and evaluated career assessments in both group and individual settings including the Myers Briggs Type Indicator and Strong Interest Inventory.
Customer Service Coach/Trainer, Hewitt Associates, Lincolnshire, IL 1993-1999
· Coached and mentored associates one-on-one on enhancing customer service skills with an emphasis on effective communication, problem solving, and conflict resolution.
· Designed, implemented, and conducted Train the Trainer sessions to improve quality of overall customer service within the center.