Background & Credentials

A brief introduction…

After earning my bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University, I began my Master’s program while working for The University of Akron. While initially seeking employment in higher education solely as a means to pay for my degree (via tuition reimbursement) I ironically spent most of my employment history with higher education.

I studied Information Systems Management in Business and spent several years in the private sector, ultimately returning to higher education seeking a management position. As an assistant I realized early on that what I most enjoyed most was working on ‘short term projects.’ I was offered a position at Tri-C (Cuyahoga Community College) to manage a Department of Education grant, which grew into managing other college-wide projects and grants for my department while working with various departments across the College.

In 2009 I earned my PMP certification which was renewed after three times, fulfilling 180 hours of professional development units, and in 2012 I became the Director of Volunteers for the NEO Project Management Institute Chapter in order to better understand the make-up of the organization and to give back to the profession.

In this field your work changes with every project—which is what I enjoy most about project management. I would describe myself as goal oriented with strong leadership ability and process improvement skills, and I enjoy the unique challenges associated with project management. It’s also about diligence and collaboration, and taking the time to understand and appreciate the people you work alongside with.

While acting as the Project Manager for large scale initiatives in the Office of Human Resources, Organizational Development and Office of eLearning and Innovation at Tri-C, I followed these Simple Steps to Successful Project Management, adapted from the Project Management Institute Project Management Handbook (PMBOK). Along with using the Simple Steps for Project Management I created a simple How To Manual on Managing Projects Effectively at Tri-C as a way to merge the use of the PMBOK methods with the culture at Tri-C.

The following is an overview of my professional background and capabilities. A detailed resume in PDF format is available HERE.
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SUMMARY of QUALIFICATIONS: Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with a background in managing process improvements, enterprise application systems implementations, human resource learning and performance systems, and government funded grants in Higher Education. Project leader responsible for developing and implementing web-based eLearning software systems, certified to teach online using Blackboard web-based learning software and over six years of experience in Post-Secondary education as an adjunct instructor in information technology and business communications. Experienced professional in the area of business process re-engineering, systems analysis and design, business systems analysis, with a proven record of optimizing operations and efficiency while emphasizing quality and customer satisfaction.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND: Cornerstone on Demand Performance and Learning Systems Administration, Microsoft Office Suite & Visio, Blackboard, Web Editor, Banner Accounting/Student Information Systems, Adobe Connect Virtual Classroom, SharePoint Knowledge Management, Camtasia Relay screen recording software.

EMPLOYMENT: A.R. Moses Trucking (Account Manager)Cuyahoga Community College (Adjunct Instructor of Information Technology, Manager Process Management, Office of Human Resources, Organizational Development, and Manager Online Support Services, Office of eLearning and Innovation)The University Of Akron (Lecturer, Office Administration & Program Assistant)Case Western Reserve University (Department Assistant II, Center for Science and Mathematics Education) & Callos Temporary Employment (Systems Administrator & Desktop-Helpdesk Support Center), Technical Training Intern JM Smucker Company Peoplesoft Accounts Payable ERP implementation.

EDUCATION: The University of Akron, Youngstown State University; the Project Management Institute (PMI), Baldwin Wallace University Professional Development

►Click here for ‘Acknowledgments, Memberships, Publications & Presentations’