Betsy Balachandran
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience in alumni engagement, career services, and retention. Excelled in program development and strategic planning, enhancing student and employee engagement. Skilled in project management and communication, significantly improved career services and alumni relations. Proven track record in elevating student satisfaction and career success through innovative employer development initiatives.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Development Consultant
CAEL | Council for Adult & Experiential Learning
09.2019 - Current
- Collaborated with institutional leaders to design coaching development programs.
- Built a proactive coaching and training framework on customized, appreciative advising methods.
- Design and deliver professional certification courses, with 4 courses offered quarterly on topics including career and academic coaching, building transfer credit programs, and building your career track ecosystem.
- Clients include: Alamo Colleges, College of S. Nevada, Waubonsee Community College, Seattle Colleges, Portland State University, and Texas A&M.
- Presenter, CAEL Conference.
Vice President of Student Affairs
American InterContinental University
07.2012 - 09.2018
- Launched a student, alumni, and employer progression survey to track the student experience and career success of current students and graduates 1, 3, and 5 years post-graduation to gauge student satisfaction and alumni success in becoming gainfully employed.
- Implemented alumni and student 'Services Standards' through surveying needs, identifying engagement opportunities, and exposing new standards to students through careful change management within the staff.
- Established a strategy and operational plan for employee and student experience initiatives across the Student Affairs Department, including Employer Development, Career Development, and Retention.
- Served on executive committees, such as the committee for accreditation reaffirmation visits, and served on the President’s Cabinet and Board of Trustees as an institutional contributor.
- Created and led multi-location committees (Ground Campus Student Experience Committee, Student Code of Conduct Committee, Student Success and Persistence Committee) focused on policy, best practices, and student persistence initiatives.
- Developed an enhanced career services model, including career planning course opportunities for students and alumni, resume writing certification for staff, and successful completion of career placement requirements.
- Identified relevant employer skill needs through institutional employer surveys to inform career skill development resources and training for students.
- Launched employer development initiatives virtually and in three physical campus locations, including specific career pathway information sessions, and employment opportunities.
Director of Student Experience
American InterContinental University
06.2011 - 07.2012
- Oversight of the student retention area of the university, including 75 staff members.
- Indirect reporting structure to lead the Dean of Student Affairs and the Deans of Student Advising.
- Collaborate and evaluate the workflow of the staff and management groups to increase efficiency, student outreach efforts, and successes.
- Regularly present material for department staff, graduates, executive leaders, and Admissions teams for knowledge sharing on a variety of topics.
Director of Career Services & Alumni Affairs
American InterContinental University
02.2006 - 06.2011
- Lead and coordinate multiple campus Career Services Department efforts for student career resources and employment rate tracking, including campuses in Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Illinois.
- Manage employer relations efforts to increase the career opportunities for students and graduates.
- Plan and execute AIU Alumni initiatives, including awards, graduation, communications, and student mentors.
- Development of internship course policy, curriculum, training, and communication plan.
Other Advising Roles
American InterContinental University
08.2003 - 02.2006
- Assisted in revising the CareerPointers Alumni Newsletter and topic planning.
- Planned ongoing department staff training and staff oversight.
- Led, interviewed, trained, and mentored AIU Career Services Advisors.
- Designed AIU’s first alumni webpage to market the career services available to them.
Education
Master of Education - Leadership, Educational Organizations
American InterContinental University
Schaumburg, ILBachelor of Business Administration - Sales and Marketing
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MISkills
- Alumni Programming
- Project management and leadership
- Program development
- Employee/client retention
- Career planning
- Program management
- Strategic planning management
- Groups/class teaching
- Communication with diverse groups
- Team evaluation and organization
Teachingacademicexperience
- Curriculum Author, Career Education, 07/2017, Developed Unit content for adaptive learning assignment, including learning styles, goal setting, and planning
- Adjunct Instructor, Colorado Technical University, 03/2014, 06/2015, Hold biweekly online live chat sessions delivering content for students and provide constructive feedback and coaching on assignments, Strong focus on retention through academic success supported by student engagement and coaching
- Textbook committee- Career Success textbook, Career Education, 08/2012, Served on committee for self-publication textbook project, Responsible for writing all supporting documents for text including chapter lesson PowerPoint presentations, chapter quizzes, and additional resources on each individual chapter topic
- Adjunct Instructor, American InterContinental University, 01/2012, 08/2012, Held biweekly online live chat sessions for students new to the university and provided constructive feedback and coaching on assignments, time management plans, and new student support
Operationalcompetencies
- Established experience in launching initiatives/start up projects
- Building effective strategy
- Process management/improvement
- Delivering results in the areas of customer service, retention, and employee satisfaction
Timeline
Project Development Consultant
CAEL | Council for Adult & Experiential Learning
09.2019 - Current
Vice President of Student Affairs
American InterContinental University
07.2012 - 09.2018
Director of Student Experience
American InterContinental University
06.2011 - 07.2012
Director of Career Services & Alumni Affairs
American InterContinental University
02.2006 - 06.2011
Other Advising Roles
American InterContinental University
08.2003 - 02.2006
Master of Education - Leadership, Educational Organizations
American InterContinental University
Bachelor of Business Administration - Sales and Marketing
Western Michigan University
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