Artrella Cohn
Kalamazoo,MI
Summary
Community centered leader offering history of success collaborating, coordinating and monitoring programming. Effective manager and problem-solver dedicated to drawing out the strengths and challenges of the staff in a way that produces a balanced team. Highly committed to equity with a servant leadership mindset.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Director of Community Engagement and Student I
Communities In Schools Of Kalamazoo
08.2016 - Current
- Promotes the commitment of over 50 partners and more than 400 volunteers to integrated student services and collective community investment in student outcomes.
- Forms strategic partnerships and connected with partners to increase access to needed resources for students.
- Monitors department expenditures to mitigate risk of overages in annual budget.
- Works closely with Executive Director and Board of Directors to guide operational strategy.
- Leverages professional networks and industry knowledge to strengthen the organizations opportunities for partnership and fundraising.
- Directly manages a team of six staff around resource development, direct service and site based support.
Director of Secondary Sites
Communities In Schools Of Kalamazoo
05.2011 - 08.2016
- Recruited, selected, and retained high-quality staff to reduce turnover and foster stability.
- Supervised and evaluated 12 daytime and out of school time middle and high school based coordinators and offered guidance to enhance knowledge, skills, and professional development to optimize fidelity of the model and programming.
- Managed several budgets, including multi-year federal grants administered by the Michigan Dept. of Education (MDE) in excess of $1 million dollars.
- Resolved conflicts and administered corrective action to foster positive experience for children and staff.
- Attended and presented during professional meetings and conferences to maintain and improve professional competence.
- Stayed current on guidelines to maintain compliant program operations.
- Developed relationships with community organizations to provide additional resources and services to students and families.
- Designed academic and enrichment programming to increase the school and community success of students grades 6-12.
Program Coordinator
Community Advocates For Parents And Students
01.2010 - 06.2011
- Manage daily operations of academic enhancement programming.
- Supervise 25 college Civic Engagement Scholars, volunteer tutors and provide daily support.
- Monitor petty cash spent, submit all financial documents to the CAPS Board as needed.
- Ensure that program supplies and snacks are purchased and stocked regularly.
- Report and assist in the monitoring and adjustment of any structural and academic enhancement ideas to the CAPS Board.
- Advocate for students with educational institutions and educate and empower students and parents on how to advocate on behalf of themselves.
- Provide enrichment activities for students registered in the CAPS Program i.e. field trips, speakers, college fairs, etc.
- Explore and make connections with community service providers who may assist the program in expanding the knowledge of our students.
Senior Site Coordinator
Communities In Schools Of Kalamazoo
11.2009 - 05.2011
- Coordinate resources utilizing the CIS Integrated Student Services model
- Conducts student needs assessments, develop management plans and monitor progress for 80-100 high school students annually.
- Developed and implemented needs based programming using the schools Site Operations Plan.
- Monitor and adjust connected services based on data related to academic grades, behavioral referrals, attendance and some test scores.
- Work alongside students and parents to develop academic and behavior plans for improvement.
Mortgage Foreclosure Specialist
Washtenaw County
08.2008 - 11.2009
- Assisted borrowers who are facing foreclosure by working with lenders/servicers on loan modification and other retention and non-retention options.
- Developed of a Post-foreclosure component to assist foreclosed borrowers with the transition from homeowner to renter and how to rebuild credit.
- Offered financial literary through budget counseling and extensive financial analysis.
- Served on panels for community series that educated and empowered homeowners about the foreclosure process.
Families First Therapist
Catholic Social Services Of Washtenaw County
01.2006 - 07.2008
- Provided in-home short-term intensive counseling services to at-risk families referred by Children’s Protective Services, Safehouse Center (domestic violence), or Foster Care.
- Worked with clients and referring agency to establish and carry out client-specific goals that addresses the safety of the children.
- Assisted clients in securing and maintaining concrete services i.e. housing, employment, parenting education, healthcare, counseling, etc.
- Completed monthly reports on family, including psychosocial assessment, progress report and termination status.
Education
Master of Social Work - Community Organizing
The University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI12.2005
Bachelor of Social Work - Social Work
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI04.2004
Skills
- Strategic Planner
- Conflict Resolution
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion/Social Justice Knowledge
- Community Engagement Expertise
- Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration
- Attention to Detail
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Budget Development
- Project Leadership
- Set Organizational Policies
- Program Development and Implementation
Affiliations
- Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF), Board Trustee
- Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF), Community Investment Committee (incoming Chair, Jan. 2025)
- YWCA of Kalamazoo, Board of Directors, Vice Chair
- Community Advocates for Parents and Students, Board President
- LIFT Foundation, Board Member
- United Way of South Central Michigan, Community Leadership Council
- Western Michigan University - Lee Honors College Advisory Board and Family Studies Advisory Board
Timeline
Sr. Director of Community Engagement and Student I
Communities In Schools Of Kalamazoo
08.2016 - Current
Director of Secondary Sites
Communities In Schools Of Kalamazoo
05.2011 - 08.2016
Program Coordinator
Community Advocates For Parents And Students
01.2010 - 06.2011
Senior Site Coordinator
Communities In Schools Of Kalamazoo
11.2009 - 05.2011
Mortgage Foreclosure Specialist
Washtenaw County
08.2008 - 11.2009
Families First Therapist
Catholic Social Services Of Washtenaw County
01.2006 - 07.2008
Master of Social Work - Community Organizing
The University of Michigan
Bachelor of Social Work - Social Work
Western Michigan University
Similar Profiles
SYDNI P. MILLERSYDNI P. MILLER
Youth Development Coach at Communities In Schools Of KalamazooYouth Development Coach at Communities In Schools Of Kalamazoo
Viridiana CarvajalViridiana Carvajal
Co-Executive Director at Kalamazoo Youth Development NetworkCo-Executive Director at Kalamazoo Youth Development Network
Terrence HessTerrence Hess
Home Support Specialist at Kalamazoo Public SchoolsHome Support Specialist at Kalamazoo Public Schools
Madelyn CookMadelyn Cook
In-Home Nanny at Andrea WalkerIn-Home Nanny at Andrea Walker
Kelsey VerranKelsey Verran
Lending Support Specialist at Consumers Credit UnionLending Support Specialist at Consumers Credit Union