Debbie Grimes
Goose Creek,SC
Summary
Twenty+ years of cumulative experience in various aspects of university administration, secretarial and bookkeeping support, retail sales operations management and customer service...Motivated self-starter. Computer Literate: Microsoft Windows XP, MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and Internet. Effective organizational, administrative, communication, leadership, multitasking, data entry, problem resolution, time management, follow through and public relations skills...Productive team player. Established reputation for professionalism, taking initiative, accountability, dependability, attention to detail, personnel training/development, enthusiasm and commitment to quality ethics...Results-driven.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Student Success Coach
Webster University
St. Louis, Missouri
06.1999 - 05.2026
- Provide administrative support assistance to the Office Manager and Faculty Coordinator, and serve as a Campus Admissions, Financial Aid Representative/Clerical Expert (one of five team representatives).
- Interpret Campus policies/procedures; process student loan financial aid requests; explain and aid students and assist students with filling out required paperwork/loan applications.
- Respond to students, staff, faculty, Tuition Management Services and main Campus personnel.
- Participate in faculty scheduling; preparing term syllabus; requisitioning textbooks and office supplies; scheduling and arranging of Campus meetings, seminars or social events; assembling and handling of confidential materials; maintaining department records; monitoring of Campus expenditures; etc.
- Facilitated student engagement through personalized coaching sessions.
- Implemented strategies to enhance student retention and success rates.
- Developed and maintained collaborative partnerships with academic departments.
- Analyzed student performance data to identify areas for improvement.
- Provided guidance on academic resources and support services available to students.
- Mentored peer coaches to improve overall coaching effectiveness and consistency.
- Connected students with appropriate resources, including tutoring services, financial aid assistance, and mental health counseling.
- Monitored student progress using data-driven assessments to inform coaching strategies and interventions.
- Advocated for students to access available resources.
- Monitored student progress to drive successful academic outcomes.
- Provided resources to support students in achieving career goals.
Retail Secretary (Part/Full Time)
Hamrick’s Department Store
North Charleston, South Carolina
01.1997 - 01.2001
- Provided secretarial, bookkeeping, HR administration and receptionist support to the store manager and associates, including balancing cashiers’ daily register sales receipts and preparing bank deposits.
- Conducted initial interviews, processed applications and provided orientation training for all new hires; maintained office files, attendance/personnel action records; computed/submitted payroll transmittals to the corporate office; completed and filed health insurance claims; generated purchase orders; etc.
- Coordinated daily office operations, ensuring efficient workflow and effective communication among departments.
- Managed scheduling for executive meetings, optimizing time allocation and resource utilization.
- Developed and maintained filing systems, enhancing data retrieval efficiency and document organization.
- Assisted in preparing reports and presentations, ensuring accuracy and adherence to company standards.
- Trained new staff on administrative procedures, fostering a collaborative team environment.
Assistant Manager (1996-1997) / Sales Associate (1995-1997)
The Bojock, Incorporated
North Charleston
01.1995 - 01.1997
- Assisted in opening/closing and managing daily operations, sales, administrative/accounting functions and customer service, including training and supervising up to three associates in promoting sales of boots/safety shoes, work clothing and accessories, with annual sales revenue of over $750,000.
- Participated in ordering; receiving, building and merchandising displays; restocking of shelves; pricing; controlling inventory; assisting customers with their selections; registering customers’ sales purchases; housekeeping/loss prevention; balancing register receipts; preparing bank deposits; etc.
Co-Manager (1993-1995) / Assistant Manager (1991) / Sales Associate
Lerner New York (Northwoods / Citadel Malls)
North Charleston / Charleston, South Carolina
01.1989 - 01.1995
- Opened/closed and co-managed daily operations, sales, customer service, administrative/bookkeeping functions for a women’s fashion apparel store, with annual sales revenue in excess of $1.2 million.
- Shared accountability for sales/staff development; maximizing of budgeted dollars; promoting optimum customer service/satisfaction; cash, labor and inventory control; ensuring accuracy of all administrative, accounting/bookkeeping functions; and achieving all corporate sales goals and profit objectives.
- Interviewed, hired, scheduled, trained, delegated tasks, supervised, coordinated, counseled, motivated and evaluated job performance activities of 10-12 associates.
- Ensured strict adherence to corporate monthly plan-o-grams/store resets and merchandising techniques; proper receiving, pricing and restocking; accuracy in registering of customers’ sales purchases/payment transactions; housekeeping/loss prevention; and company standards, policies and procedures.
- Served as a Relief Manager for other district stores...Selected to assist with staff recruitment and training, shelving/inventory set-ups and grand opening operations for new stores in SC, NC and GA.
Education
High School Diploma -
R.B. Stall High School
North Charleston, South Carolina05-1990
Skills
- Patience and tolerance
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Networking and relationship building
- Creativity and innovation
Timeline
Student Success Coach
Webster University
06.1999 - 05.2026
Retail Secretary (Part/Full Time)
Hamrick’s Department Store
01.1997 - 01.2001
Assistant Manager (1996-1997) / Sales Associate (1995-1997)
The Bojock, Incorporated
01.1995 - 01.1997
Co-Manager (1993-1995) / Assistant Manager (1991) / Sales Associate
Lerner New York (Northwoods / Citadel Malls)
01.1989 - 01.1995
High School Diploma -
R.B. Stall High School