Daniel Cortez
Chicago,IL
Summary
Higher education leader with experience advancing student success, equity, and culturally responsive programming at a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). Proven ability to design and lead large-scale initiatives, build cross-campus partnerships, and support first-generation and Latinx students through holistic, community-centered approaches. Currently pursuing a Doctor of Education focused on diversity and inclusion.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Director of Latinx Student Engagement
Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL
10.2025 - Current
- Lead strategic planning and implementation of 20+ culturally responsive programs annually, supporting Latinx student success at a federally designated HSI.
- Develop and oversee major initiatives including Latinx Family Day (60+ attendees), Mujeres Que Inspiran (multi-institutional panel), and Latinx Heritage Month (10+ campus-wide events).
- Launch and support Proyecto PUENTES, a bilingual academic transition program serving an initial cohort of 25 students, providing structured academic support, mentoring, and retention strategies.
- Build and sustain partnerships with 10+ campus departments and external organizations, strengthening collaboration between Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and community partners.
- Supervise and mentor 5–10 student leaders, interns, and program assistants, fostering leadership development and increasing student engagement in campus initiatives.
- Design and facilitate 15+ workshops annually on financial aid, identity, belonging, and student success, reaching 200+ students.
- Collaborate with Enrollment Management to support recruitment and onboarding efforts, engaging with 100+ prospective students and families through outreach events, presentations, and transition programming.
Program Assistant
Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL
12.2023 - 09.2025
- Served as a liaison between the financial aid office and other campus departments, ensuring clear communication of relevant information impacting student accounts or financial aid eligibility.
- Improved financial aid application processing times by implementing efficient tracking systems and streamlining workflows.
- Organized bilingual campus events on topics such as budgeting, credit management, and loan repayment for financially responsible students.
- Supported approximately 30 events, including planning logistics such as room reservations, catering arrangements, and promotional materials creation.
- Negotiated with vendors to secure cost-effective services for program events, maximizing budget efficiency.
Interim Coordinator
Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL
11.2024 - 03.2025
- Offered academic and financial support to 125 students through one-on-one sessions while providing strategies to promote student success.
- Organized approximately 20 extracurricular activities, including clubs and study groups, to foster an inclusive campus community.
- Collaborated with fellow college staff members to provide resources for our success workshops, enhancing the overall student experience on campus.
- Established strong partnerships with local community organizations, collaborating on initiatives to expand program reach and impact.
- Contributed to the recruitment of prospective students by participating in university events and outreach programs.
Regional Talent Acquisition Specialist
City Experiences
Chicago, IL
03.2022 - 11.2023
- Developed communication and marketing plan and leveraged talent acquisition tools, resources and campaigns to source and attract top talent.
- Sourced and screened candidates for hospitality roles and worked with hiring managers to coordinate interviews, offers and onboarding.
- Built talent pipelines of 40 applicants using tailored coaching and education to support efficient and effective hiring.
- Optimized sourcing networks and used proactive methods to direct source candidates.
Human Resources Intern
Harold Washington College
Chicago, IL
01.2023 - 05.2023
- Advocated for staff members, helping to identify and resolve conflicts.
- Generated and analyzed reports to monitor employee engagement and attrition trends.
- Supported efforts to optimize employee engagement, diversity, and inclusion.
- Developed and implemented onboarding and orientation programs for new employees.
- Assisted human resources and recruiting teams by attending on-site interviews.
General Merchandise Lead
Target
Chicago, IL
06.2020 - 03.2022
- Engaged with customers to create positive shopping experiences and drive revenue growth.
- Reviewed performance data to monitor and measure productivity, goal progress, and activity levels.
- Managed inventory control, cash control, and store opening and closing procedures.
- Received over 5,000 products weekly to merchandised and arranged all shop items for visual display.
Human Resources Lead
Target
05.2018 - 06.2020
- Managed full-cycle recruiting which involved opening requisitions, interviewing, sourcing, hiring manager relations, generated offer letters, conduct employee orientation/training.
- Supported college relations team by conducting market research, coordinating and facilitating 10 university/job fair events. Ultimately, resulting in hiring 30 candidates per event.
- Developed outreach content and hosted 10 webinars for job seekers to increase brand recognition, increase retention rate, and target certain candidate demographics.
- Monitored and handled all employee claims, including performance-based and harassment incidents.
Past Experiences
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL
08.2013 - 12.2017
- Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (Communications 100)
- Community Advisor (Housing and Residential Services)
- Communication Skills Lab (Communications 100)
Education
Doctor of Education - Education Policy, Organization, And Leadership
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL2030
Master of Arts - Higher Education (ENLACE)
Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL05-2023
Bachelor of Arts - Communication, Organizational/Corporate Communication
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL12-2017
Skills
- Professional Development Training
- Full-Cycle Recruitment
- Operations Management
- Bilingual - Spanish (Fluent)
- Strategic Planning
- ATS: Workday, UKG, Taleo, LinkedIn, Handshake, and Indeed
- Software: Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Mondaycom, NEIUPort, Degree Work, Slate, Ellucian Banner, and 25Live
Timeline
Associate Director of Latinx Student Engagement
Northeastern Illinois University
10.2025 - Current
Interim Coordinator
Northeastern Illinois University
11.2024 - 03.2025
Program Assistant
Northeastern Illinois University
12.2023 - 09.2025
Human Resources Intern
Harold Washington College
01.2023 - 05.2023
Regional Talent Acquisition Specialist
City Experiences
03.2022 - 11.2023
General Merchandise Lead
Target
06.2020 - 03.2022
Human Resources Lead
Target
05.2018 - 06.2020
Past Experiences
Northern Illinois University
08.2013 - 12.2017
Doctor of Education - Education Policy, Organization, And Leadership
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Master of Arts - Higher Education (ENLACE)
Northeastern Illinois University
Bachelor of Arts - Communication, Organizational/Corporate Communication
Northern Illinois University