Desirae Monique Rocha
Laveen,AZ
Summary
To obtain a position that capitalizes on my skill sets to enhance career goals . Interested in enveloping opportunities that expand professional and personal growth . Proven record to work with every type of individual in diverse and unique capacities. Consistently looking to build creative ways to engage students, communities and individuals in search of higher learning. Seeking a position to travel and evolve in a leadership position that allows forward motion towards furthering overall success.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Education and Scholarship Coordinator
Arizona Community Foundation
Phoenix, AZ
03.2022 - Current
- Manage portfolio of over 74 active scholarship funds. This portfolio ranges from 2-3.5 million dollars and serves over five-thousand students in Arizona.
- Serve as primary contact to scholarship application vendor
- Prepare scholarship opportunities for posting on website and create online applications
- Qualify and prepare scholarship applications for selection committees
- Coordinate scholarship renewal process
- Prepare documentation to produce scholarship award payments
- Mail checks and follow up with any misdirected check or institution questions
- Notify students of receipt/denial of scholarship awards
- Process terms of agreement information
- Respond to general scholarship questions via email and phone
- Prepare reports for donors and internal stakeholders regarding scholarship awards
- Represent ACF at events, scholarship interviews, and conferences related to education and scholarships
- Assist relationship managers with a portfolio of scholarship fund donors
- Respond to donor questions and online grant making
- Attend meetings, record minutes, and give updates/reports about ACF’s scholarship program
- Coordinate administrative and programmatic tasks related to scholarship administration
- Support Education and Scholarships team, including but not limited to meeting planning, program support, and research
- Coordinate scholarship program application processes and records
- Work with students and schools to administer awards
- Education program/grant development and management
- Relationship management with portfolio of ACF donors
- Onboarded new temps by entering employee information into systems
Student Advisor
Foster Care to Success
Phoenix , AZ
10.2021 - 02.2022
- Manage rotating caseload of 50+ students—both current and former foster youths—applying to and attending higher education institutions
- Primary focus is on all private school attending foster care students
- This includes connecting to and communicating with students per week ( by telephone, zoom, and through email)
- Counsel and advise program participants on academic matters and resources
- Facilitate students’ ability to develop soft skills, study habits, and long-term goals
- Monitor student progress and proactively address issues, creating strategies to support student success.
Events Planning Coordinator
Arizona State University
Tempe , AZ
08.2020 - 10.2021
- Coordinates all phases of identified special events including planning, consulting, budgeting, overseeing events, and post-event reporting as required
- Arranges space and facilities required for identified special events, working with businesses and vendors as needed
- Formulates and executes plans for effective utilization of available funds, equipment, and supplies
- Attract, organize, and retain University and community-wide committees to assist with planning and running special events
- Develops sponsor relationships with area businesses to build financial support for each event
- Prepares and maintains reports and required documentation and records for all designated events
- Administers special events budget and effectively utilizes available funds, personnel, equipment, materials and supplies related to special events
- Prepares and maintains reports and required documentation for all events included but not limited to list management
- Manages and implements marketing strategies for each event to reach attendance and financial goals.
Project Manager
Arizona State University
11.2019 - 08.2020
- Project Coordinate & Research
- Collect and analyze data about assigned programs and projects and formulate and evaluate alternative solutions and/or recommendations to achieve the goals of the programs within set timelines
- Leverage research expertise to make operational and technical suggestions
- Regularly update leadership on program successes and challenges, and leverage resources to progress toward the translational research goals of multiple projects
- Write and edit content for both technical and non-technical audiences, including summarization of research results for philanthropic and external partners
- Represent the program as the key contact and subject matter expert to external partners and within the University; develop communications for internal and external constituencies
- Organize regular program meetings and advisory meetings and facilitate efficient communication between the different research teams participating in the program
- Analyze expenses and monitor budgets and program finances, making recommendations on funding plans based on data trends and assisting participating research groups with finance requests
- Orient and provide mentorship to new staff and trainees involved with the program.
Educational Outreach Executive Coordinator
Arizona State University
01.2019 - 11.2019
- Develops partnerships with K-12 schools, faculty, staff and the community to prepare students for enrollment in Access ASU pre-college programs, and for future enrollment and success at ASU
- Performs work of considerable difficulty and independence in strategizing, administering and coordinating programs and services in an assigned K-12 district
- Provides a high level of customer service to both the university and external communities, and make strong contributions both as an individual and as a team player
- Conducts needs assessment of assigned K-12 district or area, reviewing/analyzing data and preparing recommendations in collaboration with district administrators, based on findings
- Develops and delivers college readiness content, including giving presentations and facilitating student speakers demonstrating relentless commitment to customer service (external and internal), teamwork, and an outcomes-oriented model Work as part of a team to support Access ASU programs and goals
- As part of a team, provide supervision and leadership to assigned staff to maximize impact for those being
- Monitors development of action plans for assigned staff to ensure successful program implementation
- Identifies, develops and maintains working relationships with the university, K-12 administrators and staff schools, and community agencies to develop and leverage opportunities for collegiate experiences
- Serves as a liaison to ASU departments to ensure quality services and programs are met
- Develops strategic action plans in accordance with School initiative program objectives
- Confers with and advice staff, students, families and others to answer questions, provide problem solving assistance and excellent Sun Devil Service; refer to appropriate department or person when unable to respond
- Evaluates program effectiveness to develop and implement improved methods and outcomes; analyze results and recommend actions to achieve goals
- Assists with marketing and recruitment efforts targeted at growing the number of participants of Access ASU programs
- Serves on various committees, boards and teams in support of Access ASU goals.
Therapeutic -Staff Support
Youth Advocate Program
05.2018 - 01.2019
- Working one-on-one with at-risk youth in homes and communities where youth reside
- Serves as a positive role model for children in communities, schools, and in-home settings
- Provide intense individualized mental health interventions and support services in a variety of community-based settings to children/adolescents with severe psychiatric diagnoses and their families
- Work-settings include, but are not limited to, home, school, activity center, church, neighborhood, or extended or kinship family home
- Implements sound clinical interventions and support services to enable the children/adolescents to maintain and function appropriately in the least restrictive setting.
Substitute Teacher
Laveen Elementary School District
08.2017 - 02.2018
- Follow all policies, rules and procedures to which regular teachers are subject and which good teaching practice dictates
- Assumes responsibility for overseeing student behavior in class and surrounding areas
- Reviews with principal or designee, all plans, duties and schedules to be followed during the teaching day, teaches the outlined lesson, maintains as fully as possible the established routines and procedures of the school and classroom to which he/she is assigned
- Completes evaluation at the end of the day checks out with authorized personnel prior to leaving at the end of the day.
Parent and Community Engagement Coordinator
Tolleson Union High School District
12.2015 - 08.2017
- Serves as the liaison between the Tolleson Union High School District, all five Tolleson Union High Schools, and parents, relaying the needs of one to the other
- Ensures that Title I parent involvement regulations are met with meaningful and strategic actions to build parent capacity under this section of the law
- Host Title 1 Parent meetings on each school site in compliance with Title 1 compliances
- Coordinate Title 1 logistics for district meetings by reserving facilities, composing flyers and invitation to be received district wide
- Update all school websites, marquees, calendars and organize district wide program budgets
- Educates parents on how to communicate and work effectively with teachers and staff as equal partners in ensuring the academic achievement of their students
- Advises and trains parents on how to address issues with their students, administration and school personnel
- Serves as a school-based intermediary contact for concerns and comments made by parents and community members
- Provides referrals for community-based services for families dealing with conditions that influence the academic achievement of their students
- Expands opportunities for continued learning, voluntary classroom service and school participation; develops community collaborations, community service opportunities, creates financial aid and scholarship workshops for parents and students
- Promotes sharing of power with parents as decision-makers
- Helps parents understand the educational system so they can become better advocates for their children’s education; maintains parent resource center (where applicable)
- Manages logistics and planning for the Indian Education Program, American Dream Academy Program with ASU, and all other onsite Tolleson Union High School District Parent and Community Outreach programs
- Conducts surveys to assess the needs of parents at their local school(s) and/or district; reviews annual reports to evaluate the effectiveness of their parent involvement programs; develops, analyzes, and distributes the results of parent surveys to the school’s leadership team and/or Title I Director
- Responsibilities with the Indian Education Program:
- Reserves conference rooms and facilities for parent/ student meeting and cultural events
- Identifies programs and agenda items and creates all invitations and flyers
- Responsible for Mailing invitations and flyer to parents alongside distributing invitations and flyers to staff
- Coordinates internal/external notices for the District and all High School websites, Gila River Indian Culture website, Social Media (Facebook, twitter)
- In charge of sending district wide School Messengers in the form of phone calls and emails
- Indian Education Program serves as catalyst for those students who identify with being Native American
- Funding through grants from Johnson O’Malley and Title VI allow for our students to redeem financial assistance while enrolled in a Tolleson Union High School District High School
- Responsibilities with the American Dream Academy:
- Acquire all proposed dates for principals to establish eight-week sessions on campus
- Review time lines sent from ASU and build portfolio for principals
- Provide rosters from Tolleson Union High School district of active students on each campus to be sent to ASU for outreach
- Reserve facilities on campus and ensure they do not conflict with other activities on campus
- Coordinate with facilities and maintenance managers at each school
- Responsible for district and school-wide marketing for outreach by updating school websites, marquees, district calendars, and school calendars
- Create district wide marketing flyers to be placed school campuses, to be received by teachers, students and parents
- Ensure technology setup is properly running for all high school sessions on each campus at each session
- Coordinate graduations on each campus with proper facility setup and logistics
- American Dream Academy provides district wide college access services to all Tolleson Union High School District parents and students
- The American Dream Academy program creates a community where parents and teachers collaborate to transform each child’s educational environment both at home and at school, so they can achieve their greatest academic potential.
West Valley College Initiatives Coordinator
Be A Leader Foundation
Phoenix, AZ
06.2013 - 11.2015
- College-going initiatives Counselor, providing college-going and leadership opportunities to more then 10 High Schools in the West Valley of Arizona.
- Responsible for overseeing and facilitating the delivery of college going curriculum to over 250 Students at a given time at Be a Leader High School workshops, Lock-Ins, Annual Walk-A-Thon and other community outreach events.
- Strategize with District Superintendents, Principals and Director of Programs to set internal goals for each district
- Strengthen communication, collaboration, and support for current initiatives in collaborating districts to increase awareness of the importance of family and community participation in college-going initiatives
- Work with Be a Leader Staff and school personnel to secure scholarships and college centered learning opportunities for individual students
- Manage individual student resource opportunities in collaboration with school counselors to build support for college-going efforts
- Organize school-wide scholarship marathons
- Implement strategic club activities on each campus assist with facilitating and implementing monthly Be A Leader Institute workshops, Be a Leader Senior Boot Camp, Be a Leader Parent Clubs and Youth Leadership Conferences
- Coordinate & communication with staff to promote events through be a Leader website, social media, and other networking aspects
- Develop curriculum, secure speakers and resources for Be A Leader Clubs on each campus and workshops
- Responsible for managing volunteers
- Serve as volunteer liaison
- Set-up on-site volunteer and event registration for students & families
- Assist with coordinating & managing on-site logistics (sign-in, event necessities & materials) and breakdown of all events
- Provided students with direct services related to college planning, college admissions, college scholarships, grants financial aid, and other college access related areas
- Provide continuous support to all event participants (students, parents, guest speakers)
- Serve as Master of Ceremonies for all Be a leader events
- Four years of experience in event planning & public relations
- Provide quarterly and annual progress reports to staff directors for each event project, Club activity, student activity on campus & off-site community service projects., -created project, responsibilities are to organize, plan, & create Community service recycling projects in the City Of Phoenix and surrounding areas
- Secured event space, catering, equipment and rentals (if needed)
- Maintain and coordinated all event timelines and produced working timeline and calendar for all schools, sponsors, and volunteers
- Track, manage and report event budgets and expenditures
- Coordinated Volunteers and oversee time management throughout project
- Work with local establishments and High Schools to participate in the recycling plastic bottles & cans on their campuses
- The goal is to raise funds to create lunch bags to feed the homeless communities around Arizona
- Managed and coordinated the pick-up of plastic bottles on campuses all throughout the city of Phoenix
- Utilized resources to receive sponsorship from: Phoenix Public Library, SRP, A-Company, HBSA, Carey Pena, Channel 12, Public Allies, Lowes, El Concilio and Be a Leader foundation, Melt PHX, X-Poz Magazine, Nestle
- Worked with local music agency Relentless Beats to recycle at all major music events
- Recycled over two thousand pounds of plastics and cans from
Head Coach Spirit Line ( Freshman/Junior Varisty)
Saint Mary’s High School
Phoenix , AZ
12.2012 - 05.2014
- Organized and choreographed weekly routines, schedules and workout routines
- Planned, coordinate and organize fundraising events in the community to engage Youth in Community Service
- Knowledgeable in first aid and CPR Certified
- Apply leadership style teachings in a positive direction that promotes growth athletically and educationally
- Be a Leader Foundation
Guest Teacher
Laveen Elementary School District
04.2011 - 04.2012
- Follow professional practices consistent with school district policies in working with students, students’ records, parents and colleagues
- Maintained a disciplined and classroom & control that implements a safe and positive environment for all students and staff
- Ensures the adequate supervision to assure health, welfare, and safety of all students
- Assists the teacher with planned activities and instructional programs
- Records and files statistical data, grades, and reports
- Assists in supervising students in the classroom, lunchroom, and on the playground under the supervision of a district certified staff member
- Assists students, individually or in groups, with lesson assignments to present or reinforce learning concepts
Peer Advisor
Phoenix Elementary School District
12.2004 - 02.2010
- Ability to perform instructional activities, communicate with parents, students, staff and community, basic arithmetic calculations, operate standard office equipment
- Use English in verbal and written form, use correct grammar, punctuation and spelling, and perform basic clerical functions
- Manage difficult or emotional student situations, to respond promptly to students' needs and requests for service and assistance
- Instructing students, individually and in small groups, by implementing lesson plans, instructional activities
- Maintain classroom equipment, student's files, records, etc
- For ensuring availability of items as may be required
- Performed limited clerical functions directly related to the instructional assignment for the purpose of instructing students (i.e
- Preparing materials, instructional records for student files, communication with parent,)
- Participating in various meetings for the purpose of sharing information and/or improving one's skills/knowledge and assisting other personnel as may be required for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities (i.e., small groups, special needs children, computer labs, physical and/or occupational therapy, and/or talented and gifted.)
Instructional Aide
Arizona State University America Reads Program
05.2006 - 08.2007
- Working one-on-one with academically at-risk children
- Term "at-risk" describes children worked with who live in low-income areas and are more likely to drop out of high school
- Create fun, hands-on activities for children in grades K – 8 that meet academic needs of individual child, as well as assist with homework, reading aloud and journal-writing
- Committed to meeting challenges to have all children reading well and independently by end of third grade and working at grade-level in math.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Interdisciplinary Studies |Public Management, Public Speaking
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ2011
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts And General Studies
Arizona State University, South Mountain Community College
Phoenix, AZ2007
High School Diploma -
Saint Mary's High School
Phoenix, AZ2005
Skills
- Experienced and respected professional with expertise in consistently creating positive pathways for students and communities
- Excellent public speaking and presentation capabilities
- Able to connect with individuals apart of diverse cultural backgrounds, communication styles, and life experiences
- Professionalism displayed in written aspects: emails, agendas, marketing materials, logistical plans, budgets, project plans
- Outstanding attention to detail and logistical expertise
- Trustworthy and able to handle confidential information
- Proficient knowledge of current Windows operating system, MS Word and Excel
- Extensive experience in community outreach, networking and building partnerships
- Ability to work in fast-paced, professional environments
- Self-motivated leader who can work independently
- Detail-oriented, resourceful, organized
- Positive attitude of inclusiveness, empathy, and enthusiasm
- Proven track record to work independently
- Project Management experience
Accomplishments
Business Owner - Ms Hollywood LLC - June 2011- Current
- International Hair and Makeup Artist
- Enhancing facial aesthetics through makeup.
- Consulting with clients and creating custom looks based on their specifications.
- Working with actors, models, high-profile clients on movie, video and photo sets.
- Taking lighting and setting into account when applying makeup.
- Determining which materials and colors are the most suitable.
- Working with costume designers, set designers, and stylists to ensure consistency.
- Having knowledge of different color palettes and design styles.
- Maintaining an awareness of the latest trends in beauty.
- Using models and fashion magazines as reference points.
- Having a diverse cosmetic toolkit.
- Consulting clients on their skincare routines.
- Operating within health and safety regulations.
- Co-ordinate with the photographer and stylist to ensure successful photo shoots
- Follow and comply with all company policies, procedures, protocols, and programs
Creator-Director of Car Shows for Scholarships - August 2015
● Created community scholarship fundraising awareness opportunity for all Arizona high school students
● Coordinated with local car clubs, bike clubs an individual liaisons to bring the Phoenix Public Library its 1st Classic Car show
● Organized and planned out logistics of entire show
● Showcasing local talent from high school and community members
● Secured and reserved local vendors, local musicians and all local high schools to bring them out to participate
● Secured event space, & all equipment rentals
● Managed budgeting and expenditures
● Maintain and coordinated all event timelines and produced working timeline and calendar for all schools, sponsors, and volunteers
Founder of the Rocha Education Foundation - August 2015
● Mission: Inspiring life learning through family, education and community.
● Create community service awareness events that incorporate family, education and community involvement.
● Charity Scholarship Foundation providing scholarships for high school students, college students and adults.
Creator of the Plastic Bottle Project -February 2015
● Self-created project, responsibilities are to organize, plan, & create Community service recycling projects in the City Of Phoenix and surrounding areas.
● Secured event space, catering, equipment and rentals (if needed)
● Maintain and coordinated all event timelines and produced working timeline and calendar for all schools, sponsors, and volunteers
● Track, manage and report event budgets and expenditures
● Coordinated Volunteers and oversee time management throughout project.
● Work with local establishments and High Schools to participate in the recycling plastic bottles & cans on their campuses. The goal is to raise funds to create lunch bags to feed the homeless communities around Arizona
● Managed and coordinated the pick-up of plastic bottles on campuses all throughout the city of Phoenix.
● Utilized resources to receive sponsorship from: Phoenix Public Library, SRP, A-Company, HBSA, Carey Pena, Channel 12, Public Allies, Lowes, El Concilio and Be a Leader foundation, Melt PHX, X-Poz Magazine, Nestle.
● Worked with local music agency Relentless Beats to recycle at all major music events. Recycled over two thousand pounds of plastics and cans from September 2016 until December 2016.
Timeline
Education and Scholarship Coordinator
Arizona Community Foundation
03.2022 - Current
Student Advisor
Foster Care to Success
10.2021 - 02.2022
Events Planning Coordinator
Arizona State University
08.2020 - 10.2021
Project Manager
Arizona State University
11.2019 - 08.2020
Educational Outreach Executive Coordinator
Arizona State University
01.2019 - 11.2019
Therapeutic -Staff Support
Youth Advocate Program
05.2018 - 01.2019
Substitute Teacher
Laveen Elementary School District
08.2017 - 02.2018
Parent and Community Engagement Coordinator
Tolleson Union High School District
12.2015 - 08.2017
West Valley College Initiatives Coordinator
Be A Leader Foundation
06.2013 - 11.2015
Head Coach Spirit Line ( Freshman/Junior Varisty)
Saint Mary’s High School
12.2012 - 05.2014
Guest Teacher
Laveen Elementary School District
04.2011 - 04.2012
Instructional Aide
Arizona State University America Reads Program
05.2006 - 08.2007
Peer Advisor
Phoenix Elementary School District
12.2004 - 02.2010
Bachelor of Science - Interdisciplinary Studies |Public Management, Public Speaking
Northern Arizona University
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts And General Studies
Arizona State University, South Mountain Community College
High School Diploma -
Saint Mary's High School
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