CARMELITA ROBERTS GEE
Downers Grove,IL
Summary
Detail-oriented, dedicated, and highly motivated Director of Student Services with 28+ years of experience in higher education administration. Solid analytical, communication, interpersonal, problem solving, critical thinking, and leadership skills. Dedicated to maintaining a reputation built on quality, service, and uncompromising ethics. Currently seeking a position in Student Services or Student Affairs which will effectively utilize all acquired skills, abilities, and areas of expertise as follows: Student Services/Affairs Student Counseling Staff Interviewing, Hiring, Training, & Supervision Financial Aid/Assistance Program Management Regulatory Compliance Policy Development Education Administration Performance Evaluation Team Building/Leadership Conflict/Issue Resolution
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Volunteer
Jordan Temple
Hillside
01.2002
- At least 4 times a year doing financial aid workshops for at-risk teens and their families
- This includes educating participants on completing the FAFSA and understanding the SAR, verification, college cost of attendance and various types of grants, scholarships, and loans.
Loan Counselor
Pantheon Student Solutions
Darien, IL
11.2017 - 06.2020
- Placed outbound calls, send letters, and emails to contact delinquent borrowers and advise them of their repayment responsibility and options
- Received phone calls from students, answering their questions regarding their loans and repayment options
- Counseled borrowers regarding the requirements for deferment, forbearance, rehabilitation and consolidation options
- Obtained completed deferment and forbearance forms from borrowers and submit to appropriate services
Independent Consultant
ProEd Solutions
Sarasota, FL
06.2014 - 12.2017
- Assisted ProEd’s college client Financial Aid and Enrollment Offices with completing the schools’ verification process as well as other assigned projects
- Accessed the school’s mainframe and imaging system through a Virtual Machine and VPN connection provided by ProEd and the school.
Assoc. Director of Financial Aid (Consultant
Loyola Stritch Medical School
Maywood, IL
07.2013 - 11.2013
- Assisted medical students in all aspects of financing a Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine education
- Managed award notifications/tracking letters delivery to students, scholarship fund loading into People Soft, setting student financial aid budgets, tracking documents, budget revisions, etc.; assists in the processing of military scholarships and awards
- Advised students, develops financial aid award packages and monitors client application status for all medical students.
- Provided extensive counseling and advising to students and their families on money and debt management; provides counseling and advising regarding federal, institution and private loan repayment programs
- Supported the School of Medicine through presentations to various publics, developing/editing publications and participating in SSOM functions
- Collaborated closely with SSOM Student Affairs, Development and Finance offices with the awarding of SSOM scholarships and awards.
Director of Student Services
Resurrection University
Oak Park, IL
08.2008 - 08.2012
- Accountable for overseeing the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE), Professional Library, Student Groups, Registrar’s Office, Counseling & Career Center, and Disability Services
- Administered, interprets, and advises students on the results of assessment instruments, e.g
- Placement Tests, Career Interest Inventories, etc
- Advised, counsels, and orients new students regarding educational issues, such as course and program selection, class scheduling, university adjustment, study habits, and career planning
- PROFESSIONAL PROFILE - CONTINUED (PAGE 2)
- Provided accommodations for students with disabilities which include interpretation of diagnostic evaluations and determination of academic accommodations
- Oversaw the Academic & Counseling Services office, supervises staff/students, and coordinates the tutoring program, including recruiting, hiring, training, supervising and evaluating tutors/assistants
- Evaluated student progress and provides support programs for students in academic difficulty for which the Academic Coordinator has advising responsibility in consultation with the Retention Coordinator
- Coordinated and develops workshops and services that respond to the advising needs of conditionally admitted students
- Provided assistance to students with career development and locating/applying for jobs, including writing resumes and improving job interviewing techniques
- Assisted with the creations of policies and programs that yield assistance to low-income and/or first generation students
- Provided assistance in collecting data and writing the grant for the U
- S
- Department of Education Student Support Services program
- Assisted with improving the awareness of University faculty/staff about the needs of program participants and assists with informing the community about the goals, objectives and services of the program
- Facilitated and teaches Strategies for Academic Success (TSS001-3) for all newly-admitted students and participates on campus and college committees as required
- Administered the Student Satisfactory Survey (Noel Levitz) and is responsible for the Orientation Program, Graduation Ceremony, and Pinning Ceremony
- Coordinated student meetings, forums, and online discussion boards while also responsible for the development of the electronic Student Handbook/Catalog
- Oversaw the Professional Library which includes 300+ subscriptions to professional medical and nursing journals in various formats and a collection of over 4,000 books and audiovisual materials.
Director of Financial Aid
University of Illinois, College of Medicine
Chicago, IL
04.2002 - 08.2008
- Directed a staff of five full-time employees and two student workers with the overall operation of the financial aid office for the College of Medicine’s student population of approximately 1,300 students
- Served as a member of the 4 Site Committee, Scholarship Committee, and Academic Satisfactory Progress Committee which resolve issues faced by medical students, including, finances, mental health, academics, housing, and struggles within the institution
- Handled all aspects and execution of financial aid for the four College of Medicine sites, Chicago, Rockford, Peoria, and Urbana
- Provided counseling, mentoring, guidance, and technical assistance to ensure proper execution of all aid programs
- Partnered with the main campus financial aid office in regards to computer system, payment, billing, regulatory compliance, reporting processes of various Federal and State grants, fund reconciliation, and business office matters
- Interfaced with Federal/State government agencies and private student lending institution officials to ensure that students received efficient and sufficient financial aid packages to finance their education
- Counseled students on all aspects of financial aid and related personal issues.
Director of Financial Aid
Dr. Wm M. Scholl Col of Pod Med
Chicago, IL
07.2000 - 03.2002
- Trained, managed, and evaluated the performance of financial aid staff responsible for Federal, State, and institutional funds
- Spearheaded process improvements in areas of student file review, and customer service, and aid program development/enhancement
- Worked with the School as Lender Program to improve the loan delivery process
- Worked with the business office for greater process efficiencies and time reduction in regards to disbursing funds
- Collaborated with the Admissions Office to ensure that incoming students received a four year financial aid plan with all applicable federal, state, and private aid
- Completed reports related to financial aid programs (including FISAP, AOR, and SDS Application)
Director of Student Finance
Chicago, IL
07.1999 - 06.2000
- Directed a staff of 19 full-time employees and six student workers while charged with the execution of computerized tuition waivers, scholarships and grants
- Led the review of student accounts to ensure Federal, State and institutional funds are awarded and disbursed using the appropriate rules and regulations
- Reengineered the policies and procedures for the financial aid office, resulting in increased receipt of receivables and improved customer services
- Handled federal/state reporting, fund reconciliation of $25M, and the coordination, maintenance, and implementation of the Direct Student Loan program.
Assistant Director of Financial Aid
10.1998 - 07.1999
- Provided assistance in the coordination of office operations and in maintaining the online financial aid computer system (PowerFaids)
- Managed four full-time employees and five student workers while assisting in all areas of State, Federal, University, and private compliance related to educational funding
- Administered all aspects of the Direct Loan Program and served as a resource person for the SFAO staff and handled referrals of particularly difficult/dissatisfied students and parents
- Assisted with the recommendation of allocations for the departmental budget according to identified needs of daily operations
- Monitored, interpreted, reported, and applied policies and regulations.
Assistant Director of Financial Aid
American Schools of Professional Psychology
Chicago, IL
05.1997 - 10.1998
- Central Processing Office
- Oversaw three full-time employees with the process of establishing financial aid for eight off-site campuses
- Held responsible for the daily operations of the office, conducting financial aid workshops, and serving as a liaison for eight off-site campuses.
Assistant Director of Financial Aid
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, IL
12.1991 - 05.1997
- Supervised the work of four full-time and two student employees while directly involved with overseeing the automation of loan processing (Federal Direct Loan Program)
- Coordinated the Year Abroad Program, Urbana Nursing, and Honor’s College awards Expeditious in resolutions of Social Security issues
- Facilitated a client-centered environment which met the needs of all constituent groups, including prospective and current students, campus administrators, and external agents
- Orchestrated and implemented the Satisfactory Progress Program.
Financial Aid Advisor
06.1988 - 11.1991
- Counseled students/families regarding the availability of financial aid resources, specific eligibility requirements, and the application process
- Evaluated applications for financial aid accessibility according to federally approved needs analysis, program regulations, and University guidelines
- Executed liaison responsibilities between the Office of Financial Aid, various in-house departments and outside agencies.
Education
MEd - Counseling in Higher Ed
DePaul University
Chicago, IL06.2005
ESL Training - undefined
B.A. - Sociology
DePaul University
06.1986
Skills
- TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Banner, CampusVue, Financier/Orion, eCollege, EDExpress, Microsoft Office Suite, People Soft WebReports, DocFinity
Affiliations
AACRAO (2011 - 2013)
WSSSAO (2011 - 2013)
ILASFAA | Co-Chair, Member Support Services (2008 - 2009), Diversity Committee (2007 - 2008), Regional Coordinator (2006 - 2007), Member (1988 - Present)
NASFAA | Member (1997 - 2013)
GSA (AAMC) | COSFA – Central Financial Aid Rep (2005 - 2008)
Timeline
Loan Counselor
Pantheon Student Solutions
11.2017 - 06.2020
Independent Consultant
ProEd Solutions
06.2014 - 12.2017
Assoc. Director of Financial Aid (Consultant
Loyola Stritch Medical School
07.2013 - 11.2013
Director of Student Services
Resurrection University
08.2008 - 08.2012
Director of Financial Aid
University of Illinois, College of Medicine
04.2002 - 08.2008
Volunteer
Jordan Temple
01.2002
Director of Financial Aid
Dr. Wm M. Scholl Col of Pod Med
07.2000 - 03.2002
Director of Student Finance
07.1999 - 06.2000
Assistant Director of Financial Aid
10.1998 - 07.1999
Assistant Director of Financial Aid
American Schools of Professional Psychology
05.1997 - 10.1998
Assistant Director of Financial Aid
University of Illinois at Chicago
12.1991 - 05.1997
Financial Aid Advisor
06.1988 - 11.1991
MEd - Counseling in Higher Ed
DePaul University
ESL Training - undefined
B.A. - Sociology
DePaul University