Parastoo Malakoutidana
Denver,CO
Summary
Collaborative leader partners with coworkers to promote engaged, empowering work culture. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings. Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Financial Aid Scholarship Advisor
Community College of Aurora (CCA), Office of Financial Aid
07.2023 - Current
- Successfully developed and supervised an effective streamline for the scholarship awarding process and enhanced the process up to 85% smoother than before
- Leveraged strategic project management to plan ahead and supervise student employees, enabling accurate process and calculation of award amounts while verifying eligibility for scholarship programs like Care Forward and Career Advance Colorado
- Compiled award and academic success histories from Banner, Navigate and Cognos to generated comprehensive reports to find the gaps and successfully enhanced the scholarship coverage up to 78%
- Provided expert counseling to students, educating them through various scholarship opportunities from institutional, foundational, and third-party sources, and achieved 100% of utilizing the allocated budget at the end of fiscal year
- Trained and supervised student employees and managed the daily operations of scholarship counseling and processing, ensuring solid service delivery
- Created strong, ongoing partnerships with Admissions, Recruitment and Orientation, Advising, and the Student Support Center, fostering collaboration and efficient student referrals
- Contributed actively as a member of the ECP and IE committees, driving initiatives forward
- Proactively plan and supervise different types of outreaches to enhance the community awareness about the work-study program and scholarship opportunities up to 81%
- Expertly reviewed and processed students' ISIRs through COD, ensuring accurate verification of federal and state aid eligibility, leading to a 100% accuracy rate in packaging and awarding financial aid
- Proactively work with the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), FAA, and Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), optimizing processes and improving counseling efficiency.
Financial Aid Advisor- Work-Study Advisor
Community College of Aurora (CCA), Office of Financial Aid
10.2020 - 06.2023
- Optimized the use of various platforms, including Microsoft Office Suite, Navigate, Banner, and Qualtrics, resulting in a 98% improvement in the accuracy and efficiency of student information management and cross-campus support
- Streamlined daily operations, overseeing counseling, processing, and the supervision of student employees, which led to an 84% increase in overall productivity
- Created a plan and suggested a new hiring process and worked with the Marketing department contributing to a 65% increase in work-study participation compared to the previous year that ended with utilizing 100% of allocated budget
- Conducted comprehensive student needs analysis, verified federal aid eligibility, and expertly packaged financial aid
- Accurately determined students’ eligibility for the work-study program, processed hiring, and approved funding
- Collaborated with Fiscal affairs to reconcile work-study earnings, achieving a 100% accuracy rate in financial reconciliations
- Developed and executed outreach programs, educating students and staff about work-study and financial aid, leading to a 56% increase in program awareness
- Created and distributed communications on commencement preparation and FAFSA registration, resulting in a 67% rise in timely student submissions
- Actively contributed as a member of the ECP, FA Appeal Committee, TRIO Research Committee, and IE Council, driving key initiatives with measurable outcomes.
Student Employee, Hourly Employee Front Desk Representative
Community College of Aurora (CCA), Office of Financial Aid
03.2012 - 05.2018
- Expertly addressed student inquiries and concerns regarding financial aid eligibility, ensuring clarity and satisfaction
- Provided comprehensive information on various scholarships, tuition credits, academic standing and Financial aid legibility
- Leveraged Banner, Microsoft Word, and Excel to efficiently process assigned projects and execute key administrative functions, improved processing time
- Guided students through completing necessary transactions, enhancing their understanding and ensuring solid service delivery
- Supported the scholarship advisor by researching and drafting responses to potential funders, and played a key role in creating and presenting scholarship packages
- Collaborated with financial aid loan debt and default advisor on data mining and analysis, helping to create targeted outreach plans
- Designed engaging flyers, PowerPoints, and animations for Financial Aid presentations, boosting student knowledge about financial aid.
- Participated in regular team meetings to address operational improvements and discuss opportunities for enhancing guest services.
Marketing Department of Sazgar Argham Corp.
Lead of Marketing and Graphic Design
01.2000 - 01.2010
- Developed and executed marketing strategies that increased brand visibility and drove a considerable growth in customer engagement
- Led and supervised the team of designers, overseeing the creation of print and digital assets, including brochures, media content, weekly and monthly advertisement in magazines and newspapers
- Managed end-to-end graphic design projects, from concept development to final production, ensuring all deliverables met brand guidelines and project timelines
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including product development, sales, and IT, to align marketing efforts with business goals
- Conducted market research and analysis to inform campaign strategies, resulting in an increase in targeted audience reach
- Created innovative designs for print and digital media, including advertisements, packaging, and social media graphics, enhancing brand identity and visual appeal
- Trained and mentored junior designers, fostering a collaborative and creative work environment
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring all deadlines were met while maintaining high-quality standard
- Successfully managed and planned quarterly and yearly seminars with designer and marketing team to celebrate and recognize the best seller representative in the country.
Education
Master of Student Affairs in Higher Education -
Colorado State University Online Program
Fort Collins, CO10.2024
Student Affairs Administrator certificate -
Colorado State University Online Program
Fort Collins, Colorado08.2023
Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems -
The Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver, CO06.2019
Associate of Science Degree -
Community College of Aurora
Aurora,Co06.2017
Skills
- Relationship building
- Creative thinking
- Planner
- Management
- Group facilitation
- Organizational Skills
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Analytical Thinking
Certification
- Certificates of completion of NASFA Webinars - 2024
- Title IX for Higher Education: Requirements and Responsibilities - 2023
- Title IX for Higher Education: Recognizing Misconduct - 2023
- Microaggressions: Taking Responsibility & Introduction - 2023
- Certification of completion of Security Awareness Training - 2023&2024
- Personal Finance Counseling Certificate - 2022
- Colorado state-wide Supervisor Certificate - 2022
- CPR Certification, American Heart Association - 2022
- FEMA Crisis Management Certification and Incident Command system - 2022
- Adult Mental Health First Aide Training Certification - 2021
- Certification of completion Inclusive Excellence Champion Training - 2021
- Certification of completion of Cyber Security Training - 2021&2022
- Certification of completion Prevent Sexual Violence Together - 2021&2022
Pronouns
she/her/hers
Honorsandmemberships
- Member of the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS)
- Member of NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
- Member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars
- Member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
- Community College of Aurora Student Success Award winner of 2014
Timeline
Financial Aid Scholarship Advisor
Community College of Aurora (CCA), Office of Financial Aid
07.2023 - Current
Financial Aid Advisor- Work-Study Advisor
Community College of Aurora (CCA), Office of Financial Aid
10.2020 - 06.2023
Student Employee, Hourly Employee Front Desk Representative
Community College of Aurora (CCA), Office of Financial Aid
03.2012 - 05.2018
Marketing Department of Sazgar Argham Corp.
Lead of Marketing and Graphic Design
01.2000 - 01.2010
Master of Student Affairs in Higher Education -
Colorado State University Online Program
Student Affairs Administrator certificate -
Colorado State University Online Program
Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems -
The Metropolitan State University of Denver
Associate of Science Degree -
Community College of Aurora
- Certificates of completion of NASFA Webinars - 2024
- Title IX for Higher Education: Requirements and Responsibilities - 2023
- Title IX for Higher Education: Recognizing Misconduct - 2023
- Microaggressions: Taking Responsibility & Introduction - 2023
- Certification of completion of Security Awareness Training - 2023&2024
- Personal Finance Counseling Certificate - 2022
- Colorado state-wide Supervisor Certificate - 2022
- CPR Certification, American Heart Association - 2022
- FEMA Crisis Management Certification and Incident Command system - 2022
- Adult Mental Health First Aide Training Certification - 2021
- Certification of completion Inclusive Excellence Champion Training - 2021
- Certification of completion of Cyber Security Training - 2021&2022
- Certification of completion Prevent Sexual Violence Together - 2021&2022
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