Felipe Ayala Jr.
Higher Education Specialist
Yonkers,NY
Summary
With nearly 25 years of experience in developing and implementing college access and success programs for underserved youth in urban settings, I possess a proven ability to guide students through post-secondary education pathways, job readiness, and achieving personal goals. My skills also include building partnerships and leading diversity and inclusion initiatives to foster community and student success.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Language
Work History
ASAP Academic Advisor / Social Media Manager
Bronx Community College
07.2018 - Current
- Advise a caseload of 150 students on various college-related issues, providing personalized guidance
- Co-lead the ASAP Transfer Committee, facilitating seamless student transitions to 4-year colleges
- Serve as co-chair of the ASAP Men's Roundtable group, fostering mental health awareness, financial literacy, and leadership
- Promote diversity and inclusion through campus-wide initiatives addressing racism and colorism
- Chair search committees to recruit and onboard new staff, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and values
- Member of the Online Programs Subcommittee, contributing to the development and expansion of virtual learning opportunities
- Serve as the ASAP Liaison to Online Degree Programs, coordinating efforts to support students pursuing virtual learning pathways
- Facilitate workshops on self-advocacy, character development, and college readiness
Carrera Advancement Coach
Urban Upbound
05.2017 - 07.2018
- Conducting 1-on-1 coaching sessions and facilitating monthly meetings with employed members that bring meaning to the first-year-on-the-job experience, addressing common barriers and challenges to staying employed and attaining career advancement
- Maintaining a strong supportive relationship with employed participants through consistent communication via phone, text, email, mail, social media, and in-person visits to participants jobs, and/or other designated meeting places
- Referring employed participants to educational, financial, career advancement, and social support opportunities offered by program partners
- Developing a comprehensive retention strategy to ensure employed participants promptly submit 90-day and 180-day employment verification documents and access corresponding incentives
- Planning offsite trips, garnering support from community partners, and gathering feedback from employed participants
- Using quantitative and qualitative data to plan and execute monthly networking meetings for employed participants; tracking data and progress in HRA's database; and
- Other tasks as assigned by the Assistant Director and Urban Upbound leadership
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Department of Education
07.2016 - 05.2017
- Manage $6 million in contracts, overseeing work plans, implementation, and vendor payments
- Build relationships with NYCDOE teams, schools, and external partners to promote college access
- Lead application process for college and career vendors in 'College Access for All.'
- Communicate with stakeholders including CUNY, SUNY, and other networks around college access efforts
College Access Assistant Manager
The Children's Aid Society Adolescence Division
08.2015 - 07.2016
- Company Overview: New York, NY
- Designed and implemented comprehensive college access programming
- Supervised staff, ensuring effective data collection and program success assessments
- Conducted training sessions on financial aid, FAFSA nights, and college access strategies
- Organized campus tours, college fairs, and community engagement to support student success
- New York, NY
College Coordinator / Job Coach
The Children's Aid Society National Adolescent Sexuality Training Center
01.2000 - 07.2015
- Company Overview: New York, NY
- Guided 100 high school seniors annually through college applications and financial aid processes
- Facilitated internships and job readiness coaching, preparing youth for employment
- Established partnerships with businesses to secure job opportunities for students
- New York, NY
Education
Master of Arts - Social Science
Binghamton University
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology and Africana Studies
Binghamton University
Skills
Ethical behavior
Affiliations
- Member, New York State Association for College Admission Counseling (NYSACAC)
- Member, National College Access Network
- Member, National Association for College Admission Counseling
Relatedexperience
- Chairman, College Access Consortium of New York, 01/01/14, 01/01/16
- Vice Chair of Communications, College Access Consortium of New York, 01/01/12, 01/01/14
- Program Assistant and Teacher's Assistant, The Children's Aid Society, 01/01/97, 01/01/00
Accomplishments
Advisor of the Month
Presidents Medal Binghamton University
SUNY Counselor Of The Year
Awarded for excellence in student advising, program development, and fostering college success for underserved students.
Timeline
ASAP Academic Advisor / Social Media Manager
Bronx Community College
07.2018 - Current
Carrera Advancement Coach
Urban Upbound
05.2017 - 07.2018
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Department of Education
07.2016 - 05.2017
College Access Assistant Manager
The Children's Aid Society Adolescence Division
08.2015 - 07.2016
College Coordinator / Job Coach
The Children's Aid Society National Adolescent Sexuality Training Center
01.2000 - 07.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology and Africana Studies
Binghamton University
Master of Arts - Social Science
Binghamton University
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