Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Christine Edwards

Mattoon,Illinois

Summary

Highly organized and self-motivated professional experienced in project management, team development and process improvement. Serving over twelve years of experience in Higher Education with seven years in management. Skilled in developing and implementing strategies to increase efficiency and performance. Analytical problem-solver with talents for team building, leading and motivating, as well as excellent customer relations and relationship-building skills. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact department success. Dedicated to applying training, monitoring and morale-building abilities to enhance employee engagement and boost performance. Dedicated team player skilled at mediation and conflict resolution. Determined and experienced in mentoring and challenging team members to meet and exceed department goals.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Assistant Director of Scholarships and Waivers

University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
02.2016 - Current
  • Serve as member of the management team responsible for processing operations within the Scholarships & Waivers unit
  • Lead teams of five personnel, supervising daily performance as well as training and improvement plans
  • Responsible for annual planning and day-to-day activities within the unit
  • Manage annual task list timeline for all scholarship and waiver processing ensuring efficiency of awarding and disbursement of gift aid to students
  • Manage coordination, awarding, administration, and student notification of university recruitment scholarships leveraging funding availability across campus, aligning with university enrollment goals
  • Coordinate review and awarding of renewal scholarships for continuing undergraduate students including foundation endowed scholarships, institutional scholarships, and college/departmental specific scholarships to coincide with financial aid packaging timelines
  • Manage oversight of internal scholarship system for awarding purposes along with education, support, and security access for colleges/departments
  • Regular review and maintenance of the University’s DAWS system and scholarship database
  • Responsible for oversight and processing of all outside scholarships and scholarship donor communication, including adherence to FERPA and PTAC guidance
  • Manage oversight for waiver and fellowship program processing for undergraduate and graduate-level students
  • Maintain in-depth knowledge of financial policy on the federal, state, and institutional level
  • Serve as a liaison with campus colleges and departments, Foundation and Advancement offices, outside scholarship agencies, and donors
  • Development, review, and regular updating of scholarship and waiver policies and procedures to ensure compliance and efficiency
  • Coordinate fiscal management of scholarship funds and waiver allocations
  • Responsible for oversight of financial aid packaging processes and aid revisions
  • Regular use of Outlook, Microsoft Office suite (including Word and Excel), and the Banner system
  • Prioritized tasks and allocated resources appropriately to keep the team focused and productive
  • Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones

Scholarship Coordinator

Eastern Illinois University
06.2011 - 02.2016
  • Oversight of the awarding and processing of all university scholarship programs
  • Managed the creation and development of electronic scholarship verification systems for foundation endowed and University scholarships
  • Developed scholarship training materials used for scholarship awarding with university personnel
  • Conducted routine analysis of scholarship opportunities in comparison with other state universities throughout the state and effectiveness of awarding practices
  • Counseled students, parents, and families regarding internal/external scholarship opportunities and financial aid
  • Cultivated relationships with colleges and academic departments for scholarship awarding as a means to streamline scholarship processes to align with University recruitment and retention goals
  • Provided outreach to Illinois high schools offering information and education on scholarship opportunities
  • Presented at recruitment events on and off university campus to assist with meeting recruitment goals
  • Established the scholarship certificate initiative aimed at recognizing and yielding prospective students at high school awards nights across the state of Illinois
  • Created marketing materials to enhance awareness of scholarship resources
  • Creation and maintenance of scholarship web page
  • Development of a universal scholarship application system to increase student enrollment yield, retain current students and build and promote community scholarship relationships
  • Creation of social media outlets to increase awareness about scholarship opportunities
  • Direct coordination with Development and Foundation offices in relation to donor agreements, available spending, new donations, and ensuring donor intent
  • Reported to the Foundation Board Scholarships & Grants Committee regarding scholarship dollars available and funding spent annually
  • Chaired the Scholarship Committee which addressed scholarship trends, needs, and potential ways to utilize scholarships to meet University goals

Teen Health Coordinator

Webster Cantrell Hall
01.2010 - 06.2011
  • Worked closely with donor/Community Foundation of Macon County to increase the monetary budget as needed for programming needs and reporting of program progress
  • Monitored budget and allotted spending from a $300,000 plus corpus account
  • Community outreach developing presentation sites including schools, after school programs, and churches to provide programming and increase awareness to adolescents and public
  • Cultivated relationships with supporting agencies and community interests to participate actively in the Teen Health program
  • Coordinated with partnering agencies to schedule presentations, and workshops and build upon the Teen Health Campaign
  • Collaborated with identified media outlets in Macon County regarding the Teen Health program activities to raise community awareness
  • Developed social media outlets to raise awareness via new website and Facebook
  • Build relationships with public business owners to build sponsorships for Teen Health Program in Decatur
  • Established a successful teen pregnancy prevention campaign
  • Chaired the Teen Health Committee and participated in the Education Coalition of Macon County
  • Collected and evaluated survey information regarding services offered, teen health behaviors, and current trends and conducted focus groups
  • Reviewed monthly progress and benchmarks on program goals and objectives
  • Counseled students in college and career options within the C3 College & Career Center
  • Spearheaded and implemented new projects to expand scope of engagement

Adolescent Residential Therapist

Webster Cantrell Hall
03.2006 - 01.2010
  • Provided counseling services to DCFS involving youth residing in residential treatment
  • Counseled and motivated clients and families through individual, group, and family counseling to recognize and understand personal needs, problems, alternatives, and goals
  • Conducted client assessments
  • Assessed needs of clients and identified the most appropriate DSM related diagnosis
  • Facilitated treatment with agency psychiatrist to assist in client needs
  • Developed and implemented a client treatment plan
  • Development of educational presentations, reading resources, and surveys to provide to those receiving program services
  • Prepared and maintained records and case files detailing clients' personal and eligibility information, services provided and relevant correspondence

Senior Addictions Counselor, Internal Evaluator

CEAD Council
07.1999 - 03.2006
  • Counseled adults in a residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment facility
  • Conducted client assessments
  • Assessed needs of clients and identified the most appropriate DSM related diagnosis
  • Developed and implemented client treatment plan
  • Evaluated program curriculum through data analysis and effectiveness of treatment groups
  • Developed patient care plans and documented progress toward goals.
  • Led individual and group counseling sessions to meet variety of therapeutic needs for recovering individuals.
  • Provided comprehensive case management services, created treatment plans, and connected clients and families to appropriate resources.

Program Coordinator

Heartland Human Services
09.1997 - 07.1999
  • Provided supervision and oversight to multiple staff working within a crisis-respite unit for adults with mental health diagnoses
  • Development and implementation of program curriculum for adults participating in respite care
  • Counseled and motivated individuals through individual, group, and family counseling to recognize and understand personal needs, problems, alternatives, and goals
  • Conducted client assessments
  • Assessed needs of clients and identified the most appropriate DSM related diagnosis
  • Facilitated treatment with agency psychiatrist to assist in client needs
  • Developed and implemented a client treatment plan

Education

Master of Science - Community Counseling

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Bachelor of Science - Social Work

Illinois State University

Skills

  • Project Management
  • Strategic Leadership
  • Operational Efficiency
  • Financial Administration
  • Strategic Sourcing
  • Verbal and Written Communication
  • Training and Onboarding
  • Process Improvement
  • Crisis Management
  • Work Planning and Prioritization
  • Critical Thinking
  • Workload Balancing
  • Compliance Management

Affiliations

National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA), 2014-Current

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), 2016- current

Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA), 2016- current

Illinois Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (ILASFAA), 2011-current

Timeline

Senior Assistant Director of Scholarships and Waivers

University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
02.2016 - Current

Scholarship Coordinator

Eastern Illinois University
06.2011 - 02.2016

Teen Health Coordinator

Webster Cantrell Hall
01.2010 - 06.2011

Adolescent Residential Therapist

Webster Cantrell Hall
03.2006 - 01.2010

Senior Addictions Counselor, Internal Evaluator

CEAD Council
07.1999 - 03.2006

Program Coordinator

Heartland Human Services
09.1997 - 07.1999

Master of Science - Community Counseling

Eastern Illinois University

Bachelor of Science - Social Work

Illinois State University

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Christine Edwards