Cynthia Anderson
Seattle,WA
Summary
Director with strong leadership qualities and focus on achieving program goals. My work is focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in public education and in private organizations. I have a proven record of creating a sense of belonging for others in my work, from current students to alumni, from UW staff and faculty across campus to outside community organizations. Oversee internal administrative activities through program planning, guidance and leadership.
I develop and implement creative strategies to meet administration expectations locally and globally. Expert at coordinating department logistics, to better serve student needs. I work towards an inclusive educational environment for students to have a meaningful experience by demonstrating a commitment to community-based programming and collaborative decision-making.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Learning Communities
Comparative History of Ideas Department, University of Washington, Seattle
Seattle
06.2020 - Current
- Advise students in the areas of academic planning, interpretation of the department, college and university requirements, degree requirements, career exploration and other related matters as the primary student service counselor for one of the largest departments in the UW Humanities
- Maintain control and compliance of university policies and procedures and am well versed on the local, state, and federal regulations
- Collaborate on innovative, collective, and pluralistic pedagogy in the creation departmental curriculum, programming, and initiatives with faculty and staff, which has increased enrollments of students of color and marginalized students to the department
- Have extensive experience administratively with university stakeholders in learner-centered, interdisciplinary, multicultural, and multi-ability higher education
- Facilitate local and global instruction in the classroom, online, and through study abroad programs that open space to discuss concepts of privilege and difference in an unequal world
- Partner with organizations such as the League of Women Voters and Seattle’s South Asian community group, Tasveer, for student leadership roles and internships
- Hold experience in supervising, management, instruction, mentoring, performance reviews, corrective and professional development
- Teach 100-level required course to all new majors quarterly
- Complete all tasks related to previous position as Academic Advisor.
Senior Academic Advisor
Comparative History of Ideas Department, University of Washington, Seattle
Seattle , WA
06.2006 - 06.2020
- Demonstrated management in academic planning, meeting college and university requirements, degree requirements and career exploration, and during the pandemic I moved all student services to an online format
- Tracked record of advocacy, recruitment, professional development, campus safety, and departmental leadership, all while maintaining fiscally responsible decision making
- Developed and taught the 100-level required introduction course to 20+ students each quarter
- Taught stand out students include Grammy award winners, Senior VP at Sesame Street, and Fulbright Scholars.
Instructor Study Abroad Programs
University Of Washington, Seattle
Seattle , WA
08.2008 - 09.2019
- A Changing Public and Mental Health Care System in Chile (2008)
- Identity, Human Rights, and Reckoning in Germany (2013)
- Global Service Learning and the Politics of Help in Ghana (2019)
- Conducted lectures, activities, demonstrations and group activities in order to enhance learning experience
- Adapted teaching methods based on the physical, emotional and intellectual capabilities of students.
- Incorporated current events into lessons in order to engage student interest in real world applications.
Education
Master of Arts - Cultural Studies
University of Washington
Seattle, WA06-2023
Bachelor of Arts - Comparative History of Ideas (CHID)
University of Washington
Seattle, WA06-2006
Associate of Arts - Associate of Arts Degree
Seattle Central College
Seattle06-2004
Skills
- Student retention
- Mentoring abilities
- Adaptive Learning
- Innovation management
- Organizational Development
- Student Counseling
- Program Analysis
- Administrative Staff Coordination
- Academic Standards Management
- Strong Work Ethic
- Excellent Communication
- Program Planning
- Interpersonal Communication
Committees
- Selection and hiring committees for:
- CHID Administrator (2016, 2019, 2020, 2022)
- CHID Outreach Coordinator (2016, , 2019, 2021)
- CHID Program Assistant (2016, 2019, 2021)
- Student Work-Study Positions (2008 - 2019)
Membership
- CHID Curriculum Committee (2006-present)
- CHID Diversity Committee (2022-present)
- CHID Alumni Committee (2006-present)
- International Programs Committee (2006-present)
- Selection Committee for GO Global Study Abroad Scholarship (2010-2016)
- UW Deans and Provost Advisory Council on Teacher Preparation Committee (2008-2009)
- Annual Department Retreat Planning Committee (2006 - 2023)
Mentorship
- Department Alumni Group
- Peer Facilitators
- Focus Group Facilitators
- Graduate Student Instructors
- Senior Thesis projects
- Independent Studies
- Internships
Service
- Chair, Racial Equity Fund at Seattle Public Schools Salmon Bay School (2022-present)
- Building Leadership Team (BLT) at Salmon Bay K-8 Seattle Public School (2021 - 2023)
- Featured panelist at the League of Women Voters Deadline for Democracy Event (2021)
- Co-organizer for Ballard Black Lives Matter (BLM) Community events (2020-present)
- Seattle Central College / UW Research Collaboration (2019-present)
- UW United With Student Committee (2016-present)
- UW College to Career Leadership Committee (2016)
- Omprakash Internship Program – UW Study Abroad Internship Program (2013-present)
- Adviser Education Program Trainer (2008-2011)
- Association of Professional Advisers and Counselors (2006-present)
- UW Counseling Center Department Liaison (2006-present)
Demonstrated Strengths
- Community-based relationship building and advocacy
- Project management
- Fundraising
- Student-centered curriculum creation
- Career development
- Collaborative problem-solving
- Navigation of professional ambiguity
- Trauma-informed and equity focused facilitation
- Interdisciplinary instruction
- Organization and efficiency
- Proficient in UW administrative policies and procedures
- Proficient in UW Student and Department Databases
- Proficient in UW curricular requirements
- Supervisory experience
Presentations
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultant for El Centro de Educación Creativa/ The Cloud Forest School in Monteverde, Costa Rica (2023 - 2024)
- National Academic Advising Association (2010 & 2020)
- Featured performance artist at Yoni Ki Baat, South Asian Celebration – Seattle Art Museum (2019)
- Community College/University of Washington Advising Conference (2013)
- UW Adviser Education Program Master Advising Workshop (2008-2010)
- Professional Advisers and Counselors Summer Summit (2010)
Accomplishments
Husky 100 Recipient (2023)
• Merit Funding/ Tuition Assistant Award – (Bothell 2021-2023)
• National First-Generation College Celebrated Staff Member (2023)
• UW APAC Adviser of the Month for September (2019)
• NACADA Professional Development Award (2013)
• UW Distinguished Staff Award (2009)
• PANGAEA Staff Study Abroad Award for outstanding contribution to Global Citizenship (2008)
Languages
Spanish
Elementary
References
Community and professional references available upon request.
Timeline
Director of Learning Communities
Comparative History of Ideas Department, University of Washington, Seattle
06.2020 - Current
Instructor Study Abroad Programs
University Of Washington, Seattle
08.2008 - 09.2019
Senior Academic Advisor
Comparative History of Ideas Department, University of Washington, Seattle
06.2006 - 06.2020
Master of Arts - Cultural Studies
University of Washington
Bachelor of Arts - Comparative History of Ideas (CHID)
University of Washington
Associate of Arts - Associate of Arts Degree
Seattle Central College
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