Carla G. Castillo
Higher Education Grantmaker
Aurora,CO
Summary
Enthusiastic Senior Program Manager eager to contribute to team success through hard work, attention to detail and excellent organizational skills. Clear understanding of higher education and training in postsecondary student access and success. Motivated to learn, grow and excel in creating equitable opportunities for all who pursue higher education.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Languages
Work History
Senior Program Manager
Colorado Department Of Higher Education
Denver, CO
07.2021 - Current
- Interpret legislation to launch student success program for adult students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Analyze all processes, provide enhancements to all grant programs if required and manage all grant management processes according to policies and procedures.
- Manage federal stimulus funds reporting.
- Engaged with customers, partners and constituent groups to create positive, trusting and professional relationships.
- Mentored and led new employees to enhance the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Program.
- Identified system needs and designed processes to support program requirements.
- Authored Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative’s Senior Year Success Guide, Supervise and train the technical assistance team to provide support to grantees across the state.
Program Manager
Colorado Department Of Higher Education
Denver, CO
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Act as a liaison between COSI and grantees and their teams
- Create and implement efficiencies across the program which will enable programs and teams to scale quickly
- Research best practices in student services and scholarships, including college advising, services for first-generation, and non-traditional students, and retention efforts to inform field staff and leadership for the COSI
- Translate research into meaningful best practices for community partners
- Build awareness and engage counties or institutions of higher education of community partner program and scholarship matching opportunities from COSI
- Coordinate technical assistance and provide development, implementation, and facilitation support to grantees based on region
- Develop and manage events, network meetings, and newsletters lead college counselor | colorado challenge
- Facilitated workshops and conducted one-on-one training to educate team members and grantees.
- Designed and developed programs and projects for dissemination across Colorado.
- Engaged and worked alongside cross-functional stakeholders to manage strategic initiatives.
Lead Counselor
Colorado Department Of Higher Education
Denver, CO
01.2014 - 01.2018
- Managed a team of six college counselors and two student employees at the Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and University of Colorado
- Liaison between university and scholarship providers
- Maintained effective communication with all stakeholders
- Produced monthly and annual student engagement and success reports
- Ensured highest level of customer service and executed process changes
- Coordinated, developed, and implemented college support services under the guidelines, policies and mission Colorado Department of Higher Education
- Coordinated and oversaw summer scholarship and activities
- Supported students in maintaining their scholarship eligibility
- Communicated closely with other counselors to devise programs and activities based on developmental and academic levels.
- Developed and expanded referral system of service providers to assist students in attaining services.
College Advisor
Denver East High School, Denver Scholarship Foundation
Denver, CO
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Assisted students and their families with the post-secondary application and enrollment process
- Developed and maintained good relationships with East High School administration and staff
- Collaborated with youth serving nonprofits and pre-collegiate programs
- Conducted outreach to students and families
- Acted as a resource for Spanish speaking students and parents regarding post-secondary topics
- Created and maintained a scholarship database, identified eligible students, and assisted them
- Worked on one-on-one and in groups with students to complete applications, finalize essays, and to improve test scores
- Maintained accurate student records related to college access data
- Successfully supported students to apply for over 1,000 scholarships and to obtain $11.2 Million
- Advised students individually and in groups on postsecondary programs for individual interests.
Community Relations Manager
CollegeInvest
Denver, CO
01.2008 - 01.2010
- Educated families across Colorado on 529 Savings Plans, financial aid, and financial literacy
- Coordinated, developed, and delivered over 300 bilingual presentations
- Set-up partnerships with schools and nonprofit organizations to spread the CollegeInvest mission
- Development of annual outreach strategies, goals, tactics, and budget requirements
- Served as community relations manager for 20 school districts in Southern Colorado
- Collaborated in writing content for the Education Cents financial literacy website
Adult Education Assistant
Focus Points Family Resource Center
Denver, CO
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Administered pre and post-testing to ensure proper adherence to Colorado Department of Education (CDE) curriculum
- Planned and provided instruction for an intermediate ESL class
- Liaison between on- and off-site staff to ensure retention and retrieval of student progress information for CDE requirements
- Maintained effective communication with students, teachers, ESL sites, and other adult education non-profit organizations
- Coordinated and conducted the English class registrations for each trimester
- Provided support in the hiring, training, supervising, and evaluation of ESL instructors
Education
Bachelor of arts - Psychology, Spanish Language and Literature
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO 08.2001 - 05.2006
Master of Science - Nonprofit Management
Regis University
Denver, CO 08.2011 - 07.2013
Skills
Implementation planning
Additional Information
- 2008 Impact Denver, 2009 Circle of Latina Leadership, 2015 Keeping the DREAM Alive Conference Educator of the Year Award, 2015-2018 DREAMer Network at MSU Denver
Timeline
Senior Program Manager
Colorado Department Of Higher Education
07.2021 - Current
Program Manager
Colorado Department Of Higher Education
01.2018 - 01.2021
Lead Counselor
Colorado Department Of Higher Education
01.2014 - 01.2018
Master of Science - Nonprofit Management
Regis University
08.2011 - 07.2013
College Advisor
Denver East High School, Denver Scholarship Foundation
01.2010 - 01.2013
Community Relations Manager
CollegeInvest
01.2008 - 01.2010
Adult Education Assistant
Focus Points Family Resource Center
01.2006 - 01.2008
Bachelor of arts - Psychology, Spanish Language and Literature
University of Colorado Boulder
08.2001 - 05.2006
Similar Profiles
LORNA A. CANDLERLORNA A. CANDLER
Director of the Division of Private Occupational Schools at Colorado Department of Higher EducationDirector of the Division of Private Occupational Schools at Colorado Department of Higher Education
Beverly Orton JonesBeverly Orton Jones
Director of Industry Partnerships at Colorado Department Of Higher EducationDirector of Industry Partnerships at Colorado Department Of Higher Education
Tshililo Jacqueline KhangalaTshililo Jacqueline Khangala
Deputy Director: Information Policy Implementation at Department of Higher Education and Training (Former Department of Education)Deputy Director: Information Policy Implementation at Department of Higher Education and Training (Former Department of Education)
Samantha MontoyaSamantha Montoya
Surgical Technologist at UCHealth Highlands Ranch HospitalSurgical Technologist at UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital
Ivanna VdovichIvanna Vdovich
Medical Social Worker at University of Colorado HospitalMedical Social Worker at University of Colorado Hospital