ALECIA HEFFNER
Orange Park,FL
Summary
Strategic Visionary Fostering Student Belonging and Driving Student Success Dynamic, results-driven higher education executive with 15 years of experience shaping the future of academic institutions by driving student retention, satisfaction, and success. Proven track record in developing and implementing strategic initiatives, fostering inclusive campus culture, and optimizing resources for maximum impact. Adept at collaborating with diverse teams and stakeholders to create transformative educational experiences and drive institutional growth.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES
Tulsa Welding School
01.2021 - Current
- Elevated student satisfaction and retention by 15%, accelerating graduation rates through targeted initiatives and meticulous re-enrollment tracking aligned with institutional objectives
- Attained a record 22-year retention rate by strategizing and executing initiatives, surpassing department goals, and dismantling organizational silos
- Fostered a high-performing leadership team of five, showcasing executive-level management expertise across student services, career services, admissions, career services, registrar, and academic program chairs
- Employed data-driven decision-making to analyze enrollment, retention, and placement, pinpoint improvement areas, and align with strategic objectives, enriching the student experience
- Achieved enhanced accessibility and inclusivity for students with disabilities as ADA Coordinator, ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations and providing necessary accommodations and resources for students with disabilities to support their academic success
- Advocated for diversity, equity, and inclusion as a pivotal DEI Committee member, effecting substantial changes and cultivating an inclusive campus culture
- Founded the "Women in Trades" student group to bolster female student retention in male-dominated trades through targeted support and resources.
ACADEMIC DEAN
Florida Career College
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Seamlessly transitioned 100% on-ground students to virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, averting potential dropouts and sustaining continuous learning
- Supervised diverse academic programs, including trades and GED, leading a team of associate directors, academic coordinators, and student services staff
- Devised strategies to meet monthly attrition metrics, reenrolling students at risk of dropping out, enhancing program completion rates, and preserving accreditation
- Directed faculty training and development, concurrently overseeing payroll to ensure optimal resource allocation.
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
Blue Cliff College
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Devised and executed an aggressive action plan to ensure compliance with Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology regulations, avoiding substantial fines and preserving the organization's reputation
- Amplified retention and minimized attrition, propelling the campus from 7th to 2nd place out of 7 campuses within a year, surpassing annual outcome expectations
- Generated $100k savings and boosted salon revenue by 20% within six months by strategically switching vendors and employing lean operations, negotiating 41% annual savings on student kits
- Supervised and nurtured a team of 20, including five program chairs, fostering a culture of trust, development, and campus-wide transformation.
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
Vista College
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Progressed through a series of promotions, taking on increased responsibilities and leadership roles at multiple Vista College campuses, showcasing adaptability and commitment to continuous growth
- Secured #1 campus ranking in student retention for 2017 and 2018 by consistently meeting monthly attrition goals and excelling in Trailing 12 Months evaluation
- Achieved flawless accreditation reaffirmation, receiving zero citations from the Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Board of Nursing, or Cosmetology State Board
- Directed a team of 40, adeptly managing academic operations, dismissal/re-entry processes, and regulatory compliance
- Reduced faculty turnover by 10% through targeted training and support, fostering a growth-oriented work environment
- Pioneered new academic policies with Corporate Academic Support Team, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with organizational goals.
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
Everest College
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Steered successful ECMC acquisition from Corinthian Colleges, retaining and supporting team members while fostering loyalty and overcoming challenges associated with rapid organizational changes
- Attained a 90% certification rate for graduating classes while maintaining a 3% attrition rate, showcasing a commitment to both student success and institutional stability
- Spearheaded the development of an Advisory Board Committee to enhance academic programs and forge strategic partnerships with employers in the field, resulting in expanded career opportunities for graduates and increased institutional visibility within the community.
Education
Doctor of Higher Education Administration (EdD) -
Northeastern University
Boston, MAMaster of Science in Health Management (MS) -
Lindenwood University
St. Charles, MOBachelor of Science in Public Health (BS) -
Dillard University
New Orleans, LASkills
- Student Success
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Student Engagement
- Higher Education
- Strategic Planning
- Collaborative Approach
- Regulatory Compliance
- Curriculum Development
- Faculty Development
- Academic Policy Development
- Project Management
- Online Learning
- Enrollment Management
- Research
- Training
- Public Speaking
- Learning Management Systems (LMS): Blackboard, Canvas, and Moodle
- Educational Technology: Starfish, Campus Vue, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom, and Adobe Connect
- Communication and Collaboration: Slack, Google Workspace, RingCentral, and Microsoft Office Suite
- CRM: Salesforce
- Regulatory Compliance: FERPA, ADA, Title IV, and Title IX
- Career Counseling
- Crisis Management
- Student Retention
- Resource Allocation
- Collaborative Problem Solving
- Performance Evaluation
- Active Listening
- Academic Advising
- Professional Development
- Community Outreach
- Grant Writing
- Staff Supervision
- Student Advocacy
- Conflict Resolution
- Program Development
- Event Planning
- Data Analysis
- Multicultural Competence
- Instructional Design
- Curriculum Design
- Organizational Skills
- Policy Implementation
- Team Leadership
- Budget Recommendation
- Recruiting and Hiring
- Decision-Making
- Rule Enforcement
- Critical Thinking
- Program Evaluation
- Student Activity Program Planning
- Attention to Detail
- Federal, State, and Local Regulations Adherence
- Goal Setting
- Student Performance Data Analysis
- Policy Development
- School Improvements Planning
- Task Delegation
- Needs Assessment
- New Program Approvals
- Staff Development
- Employee Performance Evaluations
Accomplishments
- Record-Breaking Retention Strategist: Consistently achieved record-breaking retention rates, including the best rate in 22 years at Tulsa Welding School, by implementing data-driven strategies and fostering a culture of student-centric success.
- Agile Educational Innovator: Successfully managed the swift transition of 100% on-ground students to virtual learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring uninterrupted education and minimizing dropout rates.
- Inclusive Campus Culture Advocate: Championed diversity, equity, and inclusion as a key member of the DEI Committee, driving meaningful changes and fostering an inclusive campus culture in various academic institutions.
- Financial Acumen and Operational Efficiency Expert: Saved over $100k and increased revenue by 20% through strategic vendor switches and lean operations, demonstrating exceptional financial acumen and resource optimization.
- Empowering Female Students in Male-Dominated Fields: Established the "Women in Trades" student group to address retention issues, providing targeted support and resources, leading to increased retention of female students in traditionally male-dominated trades.
Timeline
DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES
Tulsa Welding School
01.2021 - Current
ACADEMIC DEAN
Florida Career College
01.2020 - 01.2021
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
Blue Cliff College
01.2019 - 01.2020
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
Vista College
01.2015 - 01.2019
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
Everest College
01.2014 - 01.2015
Doctor of Higher Education Administration (EdD) -
Northeastern University
Master of Science in Health Management (MS) -
Lindenwood University
Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BS) -
Dillard University