CEO & Director                                                                                                                                

Habitat for Humanity of Goldsboro-Wayne, Goldsboro, NC:: 2009- Present

Challenged to recover nonprofit from significant operational, fiscal, and sustainability challenges. Directly responsible for functions involving strategic planning and implementation; 1.5 million annual budget; over 1 million in construction and retail operations to support the organization; 15 staff and college interns including 5 department leaders; human resource key decision-maker; 14 rotating members of the Board of Directors as well as 12 unique committees; grant acquisition and compliance (federal and private); marketing and social media; corporate social involvement activities including creating staff development service programs for area businesses, corporate donor alliances, and developing relationships with business/ government grantors.

 

Overhauled entire program to tighten focus, streamline operations and foster an atmosphere of empowerment and accountability. Created a sustainable staff and volunteer training curriculum to strengthen organizational management, company culture, and board-staff involvement. Developed solutions to problems with growth, profitability and competitiveness through focused research and partnerships with government, media, and training of existing staff. Outsourced selected operations to local providers to reduce costs, improve effectiveness and sharpen internal focus of development activities. Leveraged extensive work of the organization to recruit 2,500 volunteers, donors, and community partners annually, raise awareness of Habitat’s economic contribution to the local economy, and increase houses built.

 

• Quickly identified areas of legal and fiscal susceptibility and transformed organization to cash flow positive in less than one year.   

• Revitalized statewide training and development program for affiliate leaders including planning and presenting at state conferences.  

• Partnered with Department of Labor and local community college to provide hands-on instruction and workplace readiness skills to at-risk youth at Habitat site.

• Wrote and received grant to acquire (5) abandoned/ foreclosed properties in order to revitalize declining neighborhoods.

 

 

Instructor & Course Developer                                                                                                   

Marketing for Nonprofits [blended course]            

North Carolina State University/ Institute for Nonprofits, Raleigh, NC:: 2012

The Institute for Nonprofits desired to partner with local nonprofits to establish academically grounded and practically useful courses for senior nonprofit leaders. Investigated emerging marketing techniques applicable for practitioners and translated them into course objectives, learning activities, and assignments in an online format (Moodle platform). Established a cooperative learning environment in which students could offer feedback and influence course content. Conducted face-to-face mini sessions throughout the course where students shared samples and feedback from their affiliate and made immediate changes.

 

• Assisted Institute with first-ever offering to nonprofit leaders with unique ability to advocate for the practical needs of senior local leaders as well as grounded pedagogical principles.

• Introduced how nonprofits could utilize new technologies such as web interactions, social media, and video to strengthen operations.

• Collaborated with other faculty members to ensure that overall course content met objectives of the institute.

 

 

Instructor & Course Developer                                                                                                       

Introduction to Leadership Fundamentals [face-to-face, blended, and online courses]            

North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC:: 2006-2009

Taught an interdisciplinary elective course in leadership fundamentals. The primary focus of this course was to explore student’s personal leadership ideals, styles, as well as basic leadership theories. Revamped an existing course taught by university staff to incorporate new course content, assessment, syllabus models, and learning activities for students. Reconstructed the existing face-to-face course to an online format (WebCT Vista platform).

 

• Conducted extensive marketing and recruited students for the course and offered special advising to student athletes who comprised 25-50% of the course population.

• Developed course content in HTML format for accessibility and ease of use for future instructors.

• Designed, implemented, and monitored student performance adhering to the teaching philosophy that learning is a process that requires continual thought and action.

 

 

Instructor & Course Developer                                                                                                      

Leadership and Social Responsibility [online course]            

North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC:: 2008-2009

An interdisciplinary team of faculty and administrators developed a minor of leadership. I participated in this development and was able to see the idea through from department-level consensus to university approval. The courses I developed, including this one, were designed for the online student, particularly upper-level undergraduates and post-baccalaureate students. This advanced-online course (Vista platform) combined the basic underpinnings of leadership theory with progressive applications in today’s businesses. Students explored the influence of corporate social responsibility as well as how these ideas could have individual application.

 

• Worked with faculty team to conceptualize course content that would address the interdisciplinary nature of leadership and social responsibility.

• Conducted extensive research and comparative instructional analyses on the topic.

• Oversaw service- learning component as well as individual student projects in a collaborative, online environment.

• Created tiered plan in which students would enroll for advanced courses from introductory ones offered through existing leadership programs.

 

 

Consultant                                                                                                                                       

Fun U Educators, Wilson, NC:: 2003-2009

Served organizations and corporate executives to develop training and development programs to improve internal and external communications including public relations (external) and staff moral and organizational productivity (internal). Instrumental in non-profit and for-profit guidance, grant research, initiating continuing education, Board and staff management, planning special events/ marketing campaigns, and helping groups solve budget and programmatic challenges. Coached senior and mid-level managers on issues ranging from leadership to conflict management to communication planning (writing, speaking, and social media). Clients included local government, departments of higher education, nonprofit, and private industry.

 

 

Graduate Research Associate                                                                                                

Online Graduate Certificate Program in Community College Teaching (NSF Grant)

North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC:: 2007-2008

Served as researcher for national study (funded by National Science Foundation) to identify target candidates interested in STEM fields. Facilitated a multi-year program for scholar-practitioners related to student enrollment, recruitment, course scheduling, and coordination of instructors for five (5) online courses. Collaborated with faculty in the design, development, and maintenance of online courses. Maintained project website and annual evaluation materials (EAC 710- The History of Higher Education).

• Assisted with national research study of workplace commitment.

• Maintained exemplary student retention and engagement through mentorship and feedback.

 

 

Graduate Research Associate                                                                                                 

Masters Degree in Community College Teaching Specialization

North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC:: 2005-2007

Recruited post-baccalaureate students to the newly formulated masters degree in community college teaching. Administered state-wide recruitment and marketing materials for prospective students. Aided in development of graduate-level coursework in distance learning and traditional courses for adult learning theory and qualitative research courses.

• Invited by Department Chair to oversee the Graduate Student Association and develop and host the research chronicles (scholarly conferences, student journal and poster presentations). Developed a team to present research related to dissertation topics. Recruited student officers to serve graduate student association and solicit feedback from peers.

• Team taught Introduction to Leadership Fundamentals (face-to-face) to assess suitability of existing course as model for future department elective

• Assisted faculty with qualitative data coding

• Compiled database of journals including requirements and submission details for faculty and graduate students.

 

 

Adjunct Instructor                                                                                                             

Student Success [face-to-face]

Service Learning [face-to-face and blended courses]            

Valencia Community College, Orlando, FL:: 2003-2005

Taught four sections to community college students in a broad effort to develop effective learning strategies, study habits, and academic goal setting. Worked with course developers to launch a new elective in service learning where students would combine a scholarly and hands-on service environment. Advised students on degree choices and successful completion of courses.

• Taught dual-enrollment on-site courses at high school campuses.

• Partnered with other departments for a multidisciplinary course elective offering in service learning. Initiated first courses in which a group service project was coordinated and carried out in each course offering.

• Fostered learning in nontraditional environments in which students had a blended academic and host-site experiences.

 

 

Continuing Education Instructor                                                                                                  

Public Speaking

Seminole Community College, Orlando, FL:: 2004-2005

Developed course for adult learners needing practical application and experience in public speaking. Utilized experiences as a traveling speaker to train learners in speech construction, stress management techniques, engaging tactics, and evaluation of speaking tools. Developed course material, assessed student speeches, and responsible for fostering an environment conducive to learning.

 

 

Teaching Assistant                                                                                                                         

Fundamentals of Oral Communication

University of Central Florida, Raleigh, FL:: 2005

Created training and development programs to 40+ member workforce. Managed employee relations and work climate as well as filtered prospective employees and refined work expectations.