Dawn Bass
Noblesville,IN
Summary
Student support professional with a background in special education, advising, and case management. Brings experience with IEPs, IDEA and ADA compliance, resource referrals, and training development, with a focus on removing barriers and improving student engagement.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Director of DSS & IvyCares
Ivy Tech Community College Hamilton County
06.2025 - Current
- Supported faculty, staff, and administrators with student programs and services.
- Collaborated with local partners and campus groups on community outreach initiatives to enhance student engagement.
- Addressed student concerns and routed complex issues to appropriate college offices.
- Participated in strategic planning to align programs with organizational objectives and improve service delivery.
- Set standards for student retention and engagement priorities.
- Worked with other departments to improve communication across teams.
- Facilitated access to additional services and accommodations for students with special needs or disabilities.
- Prepared training and onboarding materials for new faculty.
Academic Advisor
Ivy Tech Community College - Hamilton County
09.2024 - Current
- Managed caseload of 300+ students and prioritized daily tasks by urgency and importance.
- Provided tailored support and guidance to students facing academic or personal challenges, fostering resilience and success.
- Cultivated strong relationships with students to enhance personal growth and academic achievement.
- Shared academic and personal resources to remove barriers to success.
- Facilitated communication among students, faculty, staff, and administration to effectively resolve concerns and conflicts.
Special Education Teacher of Record - Life Coach
The Excel Center - Noblesville
10.2021 - 09.2024
- Developed individualized education plans tailored to each student's unique needs.
- Empowered students to cultivate self-advocacy skills for greater independence.
- Connected students with resources to remove educational barriers.
- Facilitated inclusive support initiatives for diverse student populations. for all students.
- Worked with staff to maintain cohesive practices.
- Followed procedures in compliance with IDEA and ADA.
- Maintained compliance with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
Community Liaison
The Children's Bureau - Hamilton And Tipton County, Indiana
09.2017 - 12.2018
- Facilitated communication between families and school systems, ensuring access to necessary resources
- Developed and organized resource compilation for community members and organizations, improving service connectivity
- Enhanced self-advocacy skills in participants, empowering them to navigate systems effectively
- Utilized strengths-based approach with families
- Taught goal setting to reach long-term stability
- Navigated emergency and crisis situations with families
- Demonstrated cultural awareness with family structures
- Provided case management services to at-risk families
- Participated in community events and resource fairs
Education
M.A. - Special Education Leadership and Practice
University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, INB.S. - Criminal Justice
Indiana University
Kokomo, INSkills
- Disability support
- Student advocacy and services
- Academic advising
- Barrier removal
- Case management
- Goal setting and achievement
- Program administration
- Project coordination
- Curriculum design
- Training development
- Student retention
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Effective communication
- Cross-functional collaboration
AWARDS
2023 Educator of the Year, The Excel Center - Noblesville
Accomplishments
- Leadership Academy Candidate
2026-2027 Cohort, Ivy Tech Community College
Timeline
Assistant Director of DSS & IvyCares
Ivy Tech Community College Hamilton County
06.2025 - Current
Academic Advisor
Ivy Tech Community College - Hamilton County
09.2024 - Current
Special Education Teacher of Record - Life Coach
The Excel Center - Noblesville
10.2021 - 09.2024
Community Liaison
The Children's Bureau - Hamilton And Tipton County, Indiana
09.2017 - 12.2018
M.A. - Special Education Leadership and Practice
University of Indianapolis
B.S. - Criminal Justice
Indiana University