Danielle Chambers
Summary
I am a highly compassionate, equity-minded student affairs professional with comprehensive experience in various educational leadership roles. I have have strong interpersonal, organizational and analytical skills that I use in concert with my life experiences as a first-generation college student and graduate. These experiences have allowed me to implement academic programs and resolve complex student issues that foster student success.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Educational Opportunity Program
California State University, Los Angeles
Los Angeles
06.2023 - Current
- Manage retention and summer transitional programs for the Educational Opportunity Program, overseeing EOP admissions, academic advisement, supplemental instruction, and the Summer and Transfer Bridge programs.
- Provide overall operational leadership including personnel management and fiscal stewardship of general, auxiliary funds, and student.
- Provide guidance and support to staff in order to maximize their performance.
- Actively participate in statewide conferences and seminars align with student success to enhance professional development.
- Facilitate collaboration between CSU Community Partnerships and CBOs to enhance college access services for underrepresented students in the CSU student body.
- Monitor student academic progress by cohort in order to identify areas of improvement or achievement gaps.
Interim Assoc. Vice President and Dean of Students
California State University, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
06.2022 - 06.2023
- Represented the division of Student Life on campus committees and contributed to general management, strategic planning, policy development, and critical response for student issues.
- Provided administrative oversight and guidance for the Associated Students, Incorporated (ASI), Basic Needs & Student Support, Student Conduct, Student Initiatives, the CARE Team, and the Center for Student Involvement.
- Advised the vice president on matters pertaining to student engagement and success; developed, implemented, and assessed programs, services, and initiatives that enhanced the overall student experience on campus.
- Supervised eight direct reports and oversaw a budget that included state and auxiliary funding sources.
- Managed the budgeting process for the Dean of Students Office and related programs.
- Advised Student Government Association officers in areas such as organization management, financial operations, policy development, and programming initiatives.
- Facilitated open dialogue among diverse stakeholders to address campus community issues.
- Provided guidance for student discipline matters including conducting investigations and overseeing hearings.
- Served as a knowledge base regarding university policies and procedures for faculty, staff, and students.
- Connected students to on campus and off campus resources to support their academic, health, social, and financial needs.
- Maintained a safe environment for students by closely monitoring campus climate and co-curricular activities.
- Led initiatives aimed at promoting academic excellence among all students.
- Coordinated crisis response planning with local law enforcement agencies.
- Provided guidance on student discipline matters including investigations and hearings.
- Managed budgeting process for the Dean of Students Office and related programs.
- Created an environment that fosters open dialogue between various stakeholders regarding issues impacting the campus community.
- Advised Student Government Association officers in areas such as organization management, financial operations, policy development and programming initiatives.
- Served as a resource for faculty, staff and students on university policies and procedures.
- Supported students' academic, health, social and financial needs by connecting students to resources on and off campus.
- Provided guidance to students regarding course selection, progress towards graduation, and career decisions
Director
Educational Opportunity Program
California State University, Los Angeles
12.2019 - 06.2022
- Managed the operational aspects of the Educational Opportunity Program
- Developed and executed admissions, retention, and academic support initiatives to benefit a cohort of 3100 first-generation and low-income students at Cal State LA.
- Oversaw financial management of general, auxiliary, Student Success Fees and grant funds in capacity of Principal Investigator for the Pritzker grant funding supporting Guardian Scholars
- Served on leadership committees for the division of Student Life and Academic Affairs, including assessment and academic advisement.
Associate Director
Educational Opportunity Program
California State University, Los Angeles
03.2016 - 01.2020
- Collaborated with the director to optimize overall operations encompassing EOP admissions, personnel management, and fiscal responsibility for general and auxiliary funds.
- Conducted regular meetings with staff members to review progress on goals and objectives.
- Provided guidance and support to staff in order to maximize their performance.
- Actively participated in statewide conferences and seminars aligned with student success to enhance professional development.
Director
Student Support Services Program – TRiO
California State University, Dominguez Hills
08.2014 - 03.2016
- Contributed to the development and evaluation of projects offering direct services to first-generation as well as low-income students, those with disabilities, and current/former foster youth.
- Maintained fiscal responsibility for overseeing 1.4 million federal dollars during a five-year grant period
- Led the development and administration of TRIO SSS program, including recruitment, onboarding, supervision, and performance evaluation of project personnel.
- Served as a bridge between the SSS staff and the Associate Vice President of Student Success Services, ensuring seamless coordination of program activities.
Coordinator
Toro Guardian Scholars Program – EOP
California State University, Dominguez Hills
08.2014 - 03.2016
- Developed and implemented projects to support CSUDH students who identified as current or former foster youth
- Managed both state and Foundation budgets of $200K to cover direct and indirect costs of program services
- Managed all operational aspects of the Toro Guardian Scholars Program including staff recruitment, training, supervision, and performance evaluation
- Served as a liaison between Toro Guardian Scholars staff and the Associate Vice President of Student Success Services.
Special Populations Coordinator
Student Support Services Program – TRiO
California State University, Dominguez Hills
03.2008 - 06.2014
- Provided academic advisement and community outreach to SSS participants who identify as first-generation, low-income students, students with disabilities, and/or foster youth.
- Developed and facilitated a study-skills workshop for SSS participants.
- Ensured access to suitable community resources for low-income students and former foster youth through ongoing research and maintenance
- Contributed to enhancing the implementation of program orientation sessions for new SSS participants
- Delivered timely and consistent financial updates to Project Directors
- Advised TRiO Advisory Club, an on-campus student organization.
Interim Assistant Director
Student Support Services Program – TRiO
California State University, Dominguez Hills
08.2012 - 06.2012
- Contributed to the development and execution of the Student Support Services Program through involvement in hiring, training, supervising, and co-evaluating project personnel
- Managed fiscal operations, developed projects, and designed, implemented, and evaluated direct services for SSS participants.
- Served as a reliable liaison, coordinating program activities while maintaining effective collaboration with SSS staff and the Associate Vice President of Student Success Services.
- Provided direct supervision to the SSS Counselor and student assistants.
Program Assistant
Upward Bound Program – TRiO
Los Angeles Southwest College
06.2000 - 06.2002
- Organized various educational and cultural activities for program participants, including academic recovery programs and tutoring services.
- Managed program operations, overseeing human resources, student recruitment, and program planning.
- Managed and updated employee time records
- Managed and maintained office equipment and supplies
- Performed clerical duties such as light typing, filing, telephone answering, and data entry.
Education
Doctorate of Education - Educational Leadership
California State University, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA08.2023
Master of Science - Higher Education Administration
California State University, Fullerton
Fullerton, CA05.2013
Bachelor of Arts - Public Relations
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA08.2009
Associate of Arts - Liberal Studies
Los Angeles Southwest College
Los Angeles, CA06-2001
Skills
- Contract Management
- Project Coordination
- Staff Management
- Operations Management
- Budget Control
- Business Planning
- Logistics Management
Affiliations
- Board of Directors, Urban Scholar Academy. Inglewood, CA
- Member, NASPA: Student Affairs Professional in Higher Education
- Presenter, Western Regional Careers in Student Affairs Day
- Member, Southern California Higher Education Foster Youth Consortium
Accomplishments
- Developed the Guardian Scholars Strengths Retreat.
- Co-authored and awarded California Pathways College Grant to serve foster youth at Cal State LA - $50,000, Nov. 2021.
- Authored and awarded a total of $300,000 in unrestricted funds by the Pritzker Family Foundation to serve foster youth at Cal State LA, 2016, 2018, 2020, & 2021
- Advisory Board member for EOPS at Los Angeles Southwest College
- Presenter, Retreat Finder: Road to Personal Development, Blueprint Conference 2017
- Presenter, Taking Care of You, Blueprint Conference 2017
- Developed a partnership with Los Angeles City College to build a pipeline for transfer among foster youth who plan to transfer to Cal State LA.
- Co-authored the Toro Guardian Scholars institutionally funded supplemental grant to support foster youth attending CSUDH at $183K.
- Successfully developed and launched the first program at CSUDH specifically designed to provide academic and personal support among students who identify as current or former foster youth
- Co-authored the Jeanne and Anthony Pritzker Grant Application and awarded $40K, CSUDH
- Secured 20K in funding to off-set education expenses to program students, such as textbooks and other expenses frequently incurred by student population.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Director, Educational Opportunity Program
California State University, Los Angeles
06.2023 - Current
Interim Assoc. Vice President and Dean of Students
California State University, Los Angeles
06.2022 - 06.2023
Director
Educational Opportunity Program
12.2019 - 06.2022
Associate Director
Educational Opportunity Program
03.2016 - 01.2020
Director
Student Support Services Program – TRiO
08.2014 - 03.2016
Coordinator
Toro Guardian Scholars Program – EOP
08.2014 - 03.2016
Interim Assistant Director
Student Support Services Program – TRiO
08.2012 - 06.2012
Special Populations Coordinator
Student Support Services Program – TRiO
03.2008 - 06.2014
Program Assistant
Upward Bound Program – TRiO
06.2000 - 06.2002
Doctorate of Education - Educational Leadership
California State University, Los Angeles
Master of Science - Higher Education Administration
California State University, Fullerton
Bachelor of Arts - Public Relations
University of Southern California
Associate of Arts - Liberal Studies
Los Angeles Southwest College