Glen Oaks Community College

Education:

Bachelor of Art, English - Hope College 2002
Michigan Provisional Teaching Certificate - English
Master of Art, Educational Leadership - Western Michigan University 2010

Professional Background:

As a 1^st generation College student, I became a certified teacher of middle and high school English For the past 5 years, I worked as an Academic Coordinator for the TRiO Upward Bound Program at Grand Rapids Community College. TRiO Upward Bound works with high school students to prepare them for college success. I became Director of the TRiO Student Support Services Program at Glen Oaks Community College in November 2010. Most of my professional career has been working with TRiO students and I am excited to expand the TRiO SSS program here at Glen Oaks Community College!

TRiO Philosophy:

Education is necessary to an individual's foundation and it should be available to anyone who wants to take advantage of educational opportunities. TRiO works to help students who may not know about or possess resources available to help them be successful in college. I believe in the TRiO Program and what it has to offer its students. When students make a choice to reach out for help, the TRiO Program will be here to guide them toward their educational success. Whether the need is academic, economic, personal or private, if you need help, just ask . . . TRiO!

Education

Associate of Arts, Liberal Arts -Southwestern Michigan College 2002

Bachelor of Science, Family Studies 2003

Master of Arts degree, Counselor Education and Community Counseling -Western Michigan University 2007

Professional Background:

I've worked with students in various professional capacities for several years. While working on my Associate degree I was employed in the library at Southwestern Michigan College. After earning my Associate and Bachelor degrees I had the opportunity to continue working with college students as the Special Populations Advisor at SMC. There I learned invaluable information about the issues facing students with disabilities and developed a passion for advocating for the rights of students in general. Upon graduating with my Master's degree I began looking for a way to further serve students by utilizing my newly minted counseling skills. The TRiO Student Support Services program (called EXCEL) at SMC needed a new counselor and I jumped at the opportunity to provide the kind of wraparound services that TRiO students receive. Providing career and personal counseling, academic advising, educational workshops, college success courses, and many other student development opportunities to help TRiO students achieve their goals was (and continues to be) very rewarding. I joined the staff at Glen Oaks Community College after learning the college had been awarded a TRiO Student Support Services grant. The opportunity to help design and implement a brand new TRiO Student Support Services program has proven to be everything I had hoped it would be - rewarding, challenging, interesting and fun. I'm looking forward to helping GOCC students achieve their personal, educational, and career goals.

TRiO Philosophy:

I believe that with a strong support system like TRiO Student Support Services students can Turn Roadblocks into Opportunities. "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." -Aesop

Education:

Associates of Arts, Business Management- Kalamazoo Valley Community College 2008

Bachelors or Arts and Science, Interpersonal Communication/Holistic Health- Western Michigan University 2010

Professional Background:

While in my undergrad I worked at Kalamazoo Valley Community College in various positions that all involved helping students. I worked in the tutoring and testing center for a total of four years, and learned just how important it was to get students the academic help they needed. Then I moved on to work with the Admissions Office at KVCC where I conducted campus tours and organized and facilitated outreach activities geared towards getting high school students excited for college. Additionally, I worked at the Student Services desk, which helped students receive the information on what services were available to them. I am brand new to the TRiO Student Support Services Program here at Glen Oaks Community College, but my passion has always been, and will continue to be, helping students. I am excited to help GOCC students realize their educational, personal, and career goals through TRiO!

TRIO Philosophy:

I believe that knowing what support services are available to help students be successful is step # 1. TRiO Student Support Services will help students make those first steps in receiving that knowledge. “Knowledge is power.” -Sir Francis Bacon

Education:

Bachelors of Arts and Science, English with Emphasis on Practical Writing- Western Michigan University 2011

Professional Background:

I am a recent graduate from Western Michigan University. Since beginning my education at Western, I have worked at the main library, Waldo Library, at the Science Reference Desk. I answer a wide variety of questions and assist patrons with research, finding books, or even navigating the many resources at Western. During my senior year at Western, I also worked with Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo (CIS), a non-profit that works within the Kalamazoo Public Schools with K-12 students with a goal to connect students with resources to succeed and graduate. My internship with CIS & work within the library have awakened a passion to support students in their education and help provide resources for their success. I was hired as the TRiO Student Support Services Senior Secretary at Glen Oaks Community College in October 2011 and I am excited to be a part of such a wonderful program.

TRIO Philosophy:

I believe that one of the keys to providing quality student services is good communication with the students to ensure that their needs are met efficiently and effectively.