Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Certification
Core Competencies
Awards
Timeline
Generic

Danyelle Watson-Young

Upper Darby,USA

Summary

Dedicated and student-centered higher education professional with over 15 years of experience supporting the academic success and retention of underrepresented, first-generation, and Pell-eligible students. Proven track record in developing and managing scholarship support programs, providing holistic academic advising, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance student persistence and graduation outcomes. Committed to fostering a culturally inclusive environment that promotes student achievement and belonging.

Qualified retention specialist with strong background in providing support and guidance to students and their families. Successfully implemented early alert outreach strategies for at-risk students, resulting in improvement in academic standing among those flagged for academic concern. Demonstrated effective communication and problem-solving skills in various support settings.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Student Success Support Coach

Community College of Philadelphia
01.2013 - Current
    • Lead efforts to advance student retention and success through strategic coaching, mentorship, and support services.
    • Provide high-level academic and personal coaching to a caseload of 100+ students.
    • Mentor success coaches, support coaches, navigators, and peer coaches and contribute to the development of success initiatives.
    • Analyze retention and performance data to inform interventions, collaborate with cross-campus stakeholders to address systemic barriers, and support a culture of equity and inclusion.
    • Guide students toward graduation by promoting resilience, self-advocacy, and resource engagement within a holistic support framework.
    • Oversee the Starfish Connect system and serve as Tenant Administrator and Retention Coordinator; train faculty, support staff, and students using the Starfish system.
    • Lead the recruitment, hiring, supervision, and performance evaluation of professional and student staff.
    • Serve on campus-wide committees.
    • Plan, develop, market, and manage student success support programs and activities for scholarship recipients.
    • Collaborate with >10 external partners to build and implement a seamless pathway for high school to college students.
    • Applied, received award, and managed annual co-curricular program funding grant for 2 consecutive years.
    • Partner with Judicial Committee to Chair the Student Appeals Committee evaluating and resolving student appeals.
    • Engage with students and their families using interpersonal communication skills to build trust relationships.
    • Develop documentation systems to track and compile student outcomes including participation and completion rates.
    • Facilitate academic success workshops and accountability sessions tailored for scholarship cohorts, increasing semester-to-semester persistence.
    • Mentor a caseload of high-need and at-risk students using holistic support plans, leading to a significant reduction in probation and dismissal rates.

Care Services Coordinator

Aviation Institute of Maintenance
01.2012 - 01.2013
  • Facilitated career and employment-focused programs and events, including work-experience programs, career workshops, career planning presentations, and career fairs.
  • Aided job search processes for graduates, alumni, and students.
  • Forged contacts and professional relationships with employers to develop internship and employment opportunities for students.
  • Served as a liaison between job-seeking students/graduates and employers looking to hire.
  • Increased student employability and employment rates through training and connections with industry employers and external partners.

School Improvement Student Advisor

School District of Philadelphia
01.2008 - 01.2011
  • Established student improvement programs and activities for underrepresented elementary school students.
  • Fostered solid community partnerships to support students.
  • Reviewed data and coordinated intervention, attendance, and truancy prevention activities.
  • Cooperated with principals, parents, teachers, school staff, and students to guarantee all academic needs were met.
  • Amplified attendance through schoolwide incentives and activities which decreased truancy by 15%.

Education

Master of Arts - Human Services Counseling

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
12.2025

Bachelor of Science - Human Services

Geneva College
Beaver Falls, PA
06.2002

Skills

  • Banner
  • Microsoft Office
  • EAB Starfish
  • Microsoft Team
  • Zoom
  • Social media
  • Task delegation
  • Professional demeanor
  • Reliability
  • Coaching techniques
  • Teamwork
  • Problem-solving
  • Attention to detail
  • Excellent communication

Affiliations

  • Member, Pennsylvania College Personnel Association, 2013 – 2018
  • Member, America Association for Women in Community Colleges/Philadelphia, 2013 – 2021
  • Member, Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, 1998 – Present

Certification

  • Leadership Institute, Community College of Philadelphia, 2021-22
  • Civics Beyond the Classroom Workshop Series, Institute for Civic Engagement & Community Leadership, Community College of Philadelphia, 2021
  • The Necessity to go Beyond Accommodations: When the Match to Functional Impacts Fail, Annual Disability Symposium at University of Pennsylvania, 2021
  • Diversity Certificate Silver Award, Community College of Philadelphia, 2020
  • Utilizing Online Services to Advance Your Guided Pathway Goals, Innovative Educators Summer Institute, 2019
  • Mental Health First Aid for Veterans Certificate, Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health, 2019
  • Diversity Certificate Award, Community College of Philadelphia, 2018
  • Achieving Independence Center and Act 91 Training, Department of Human Services, 2017

Core Competencies

  • Student Retention Strategies
  • Academic Advising
  • Program Development
  • Scholarship Support
  • Equity and Inclusion
  • Data Analysis & Reporting
  • First-Generation Student Support
  • Event Coordination
  • Community Building
  • Student Success Coaching
  • Career Advising

Awards

Junior Achievement Steps to Success Event, Volunteer Appreciation Award, 2018, 2019, Certificate of Leadership, Community College of Philadelphia, Office of Student Life, 2019, Certificate of Appreciation as Student Club Advisor, Community College of Philadelphia, 2018-19, Department of Athletics Appreciation Award, Community College of Philadelphia, 2018-19, Award of Appreciation and Dedication as Student Club Advisor, Community College of Philadelphia, 2017-18, Phi Theta Kappa “Commit to Complete” Champion and Organizer Awards, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, Phi Theta Kappa Alumni Appreciation Award, 2014, Award of Appreciation, Christian Women's and Men's Alliance Club, Community College of Philadelphia, 2014

Timeline

Student Success Support Coach

Community College of Philadelphia
01.2013 - Current

Care Services Coordinator

Aviation Institute of Maintenance
01.2012 - 01.2013

School Improvement Student Advisor

School District of Philadelphia
01.2008 - 01.2011

Master of Arts - Human Services Counseling

Liberty University

Bachelor of Science - Human Services

Geneva College

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