Bianca Vela
San Antonio
Summary
Dedicated educator with over 15 years of experience in higher education, student success, complemented by expertise in strategic planning and leadership. A dynamic visionary leader and collaborative team player, consistently recognized for fostering partnerships with students, faculty, staff, and community stakeholders to drive positive outcomes. Eager to embrace new responsibilities and challenges that facilitate student success in adult education, workforce development, and higher education pathways. Committed to empowering individuals to achieve goals through innovative support and guidance.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Coordinator of Student Success: Student Advocacy & Resource Center
Northwest Vista College
San Antonio, TX
11.2024 - Current
- Oversee the intake office and manage all intake processes to ensure efficient student support services
- Supervise mental health counselors and case managers, providing guidance and operational support
- Review and analyze incoming student data to identify individuals in crisis, including those facing essential needs such as food, housing, transportation, Utilities, and mental health concerns
- Facilitate tours of the center for First-Year Experience students, community partners, and donors
- Manage the Guardian system, enabling faculty and staff to report students in crisis for timely intervention
- Coordinate and schedule classroom presentations conducted by mental health counselors
- Serve as the lead for emergency aid disbursements, assisting students with financial challenges related to rent, utilities, and other barriers impacting academic success
- Manage departmental budgets and grant funding, including expense tracking and financial reporting
- Maintain accurate grant records and ensure compliance with reporting requirements
- Perform administrative duties including IT work orders, inventory management, facilities requests, room scheduling, and travel coordination
- Lead new employee onboarding, ensuring a smooth transition and training experience
Interim Grant Project Director: Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Grant (YARG) Program
Palo Alto College
San Antonio, TX
07.2023 - 11.2024
- Oversaw a $5.4 million grant Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Grant was Awarded by the U.S Department of Labor
- Distributed over $200,000 of support services to YARG students to include housing/utilities, transportation, childcare, food, school materials, technology, Wi-Fi, tuition, and professional attire
- Connected students with Palo Alto SHARE Center and other community resources
- Coordinated case management, including initiating, training, advocacy and record oversight
- Compiled data, wrote and submitted final quarterly reports to the U.S Department of Labor
- Hired, trained, supervised and motivated full-time employees
- Established employer partnership to provide Palo Alto College students with apprenticeship opportunities
- Built and fostered relationships with internal and external partnerships
- Led recruiting, enrollment, and registration efforts for the program
- Developed and implemented appropriate goals, policies and procedures
- Advocated for special student success initiative
- Created and prepared marketing materials
- Performed U.S Department of Labor audits and internal audits
- Leading for closing out a $5.4 million dollar grant
Partner Liaison: Career and Experiential Learning – Grant Funded Position
Palo Alto College
San Antonio, TX
01.2022 - 07.2023
- Established employer partnership to provide Palo Alto College students with internships, jobs, field observations, and service-learning opportunities
- Maintain knowledge and resources on industries aligned to the Alamo Institutes
- Employer partnerships data collection and communication tracking
- Serving on industry partners advisory boards
- Communicating available internships, jobs, field observations, and service-learning opportunities to Career and Experiential Learning team and Palo Alto College Students
- Organize industry partners events: Career Fairs, Industry Panels Discussions, National Career Development Week, and a Business Etiquette Dinning Sessions
- Assist employers with Handshake
Certified Enrollment Coach: AlamoPROMISE – Grant Funded Position
Alamo College District
San Antonio, TX
11.2020 - 01.2022
- Assist prospective students in becoming AlamoPROMISE Scholars by providing guidance through eligibility and application processes
- Track and manage student and enrollment data to support program goals and reporting
- Support community outreach initiatives and participate in informational sessions for prospective students and families
- College Café: helping students complete TASFA, FAFSA, and ApplyTexas applications
- Guide prospective students through the Alamo Colleges enrollment process, ensuring a smooth and informed experience
Student Success Senior Specialist: Department of Student Life
Northwest Vista College
San Antonio, TX
11.2014 - 11.2020
- Remote: Emergency Aid Facilitator, Major duties: cases management to a caseload of 500+ students, Conducted student assessments to determine needs and analyze crisis situation
- Northwest Vista College Institute Academic Programming Team Lead
- Managed a budget of $250k+: Purchasing, Budget tracking, Creating and processing vendor contracts, Monthly reconciling company card
- Organized on campus events: Family Fun Day, End of Semester Bash, Welcome Week, Holiday events, Wildcat Camp for incoming freshman
- Organized National Observance events: Drug and Alcohol Awareness, Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month, Women History Month
- Organized off-campus events: Kayaking, Horseback Riding, Hiking, and ziplining
- Organized Volunteering Opportunities: SA Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Alternative Spring Break with United Way
- Advisor for the Student Programming Board, the National Society of Leadership and Success Honor Society, and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
- Campus Mascot Advisor: Managed mascot appearance request, Mascot student stipends
- Managed the Northwest Vista College Student Life social media platforms
- Supervision of: Two part-time employees, Two work-study students, and fifteen student interns
- Chaperoned student travel to include over-night and out of state travel
- Classroom student engagement presentations
Administrative Assistant: Department of Fine Arts and Kinesiology
Northwest Vista College
San Antonio, TX
05.2013 - 11.2014
- Processed faculty office hour schedules
- End of the semester final grades
- Faculty sub pays
- Faculty class cancellations
- Planned and organized art exhibitions and drama production opening receptions
Work Study: Department of Student Development - First Year Experience
Northwest Vista College
San Antonio, TX
09.2011 - 04.2013
- Assisted faculty with room setups
- Assisted with course evaluation survey
- Assisted with front desk duties: answering phones, answering student and parent questions, student IDs, and assisting with event setups and breakdowns
Education
Master of Education - Adult Education
University of The Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TXBachelor of Science - Leadership Studies, Project Management Minor
University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX12.2019
Associate of Arts - Liberal Studies
Northwest Vista College
San Antonio, TX05.2014
Timeline
Senior Coordinator of Student Success: Student Advocacy & Resource Center
Northwest Vista College
11.2024 - Current
Interim Grant Project Director: Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Grant (YARG) Program
Palo Alto College
07.2023 - 11.2024
Partner Liaison: Career and Experiential Learning – Grant Funded Position
Palo Alto College
01.2022 - 07.2023
Certified Enrollment Coach: AlamoPROMISE – Grant Funded Position
Alamo College District
11.2020 - 01.2022
Student Success Senior Specialist: Department of Student Life
Northwest Vista College
11.2014 - 11.2020
Administrative Assistant: Department of Fine Arts and Kinesiology
Northwest Vista College
05.2013 - 11.2014
Work Study: Department of Student Development - First Year Experience
Northwest Vista College
09.2011 - 04.2013
Bachelor of Science - Leadership Studies, Project Management Minor
University of the Incarnate Word
Associate of Arts - Liberal Studies
Northwest Vista College
Master of Education - Adult Education
University of The Incarnate Word