DESIREE ZUNIGA; Ed.D

• Establish and monitor project management policies and procedures to ensure effective oversight.
• Assist the Project Director in hiring and supervising project staff and faculty, enhancing team performance and project delivery.
• Manage project budgets, strictly adhering to financial policies and procedures, ensuring fiscal integrity.
• Lead collaboration with both internal and external evaluators on the formative and summative assessments of project components, driving continuous improvement.
• Encourage full participation from student services managers and practitioners in project activities, focusing on inquiry and cross-functional evaluation.
• Document and communicate grant activities to the campus community, maintaining transparency and stakeholder engagement.
• Support the Project Director in completing timely and accurate reports required by the college and the U.S. Department of Education.
• Participate in regular strategy and update meetings with the Project Director and other key personnel, ensuring alignment and progress.
• Perform additional duties as requested by the Title V Project Director, demonstrating flexibility and leadership.

General Counselor / Counseling Instructor

• Provide counseling support services for various student groups, including new students, probation, AA/AS, transfer, CTE, etc
• Provide comprehensive counseling services for online and in-person students
• Participate in faculty responsibilities such as student learning outcomes and assessment, program review, committees, research, and special projects as needed in the discipline/department or district
• Implement services to meet the needs of students, including online, chat services, drop-in, group, and learning community counseling
• Evaluate and assess creating and maintaining a welcoming, equitable, and inclusive counseling environment
• Teach various credit counseling classes regarding personal growth and development, career planning, and college orientation.
• Assist with curriculum development and review of Counseling 010 - Introduction to College.
• Develop online and hybrid course curriculum for Counseling 010 - Introduction to College.

First-Year Counseling Lead

• Designed, implemented, and managed in-person and online counseling support services to facilitate a smooth transition, active engagement, effective onboarding, and overall success of new and first-year experience (FYE) students
• Coordinated FYE counseling support services and collaborate with academic success coaches, faculty, staff, and administrators
• Implemented remote counseling support services to support online students
• Developed and implemented equity-minded solutions that support student success and meet the FYE objectives regarding student performance and retention
• Contributed to high-impact initiatives and practices for FYE student engagement by working collaboratively with a success team (Associate Dean, staff, coaches, faculty, counselors, and students) and using early retention technology (Starfish)
• Provided personal counseling, career development for individuals or groups, and educational and transfer advisement
• Co-lead programming, scheduling, and evaluation of FYE counseling support services
• Provided workshops and one-on-one counseling to at-promise students and assist with appeals, probation, and other related processes
• Assisted with student success and support initiatives (New Student Counseling, Open House, Pre-Registration Workshops for Students, etc.).

STEM Career Community Lead

• Act as the lead counselor/faculty to support Guided Pathways and the goals of the STEM Career Community
• Serve as lead/liaison to the STEM Career Community
• Coordinate communications and information between departments and other community agencies
• Coordinated, developed, and implemented various events to promote enrollment in targeted programs related to STEM and the various career communities
• Organized the STEM fair week with over 100 participants, including faculty, program representatives, student services personnel, clubs, and outside organizations
• Collaborated with faculty, staff, and administrators to develop academic, counseling, and personal support services tailored to the needs of STEM students and their unique pathways into STEM programs and STEM-specific or related career fields
• Provided counseling support and referrals for STEM students regarding goal completion, navigating higher education, improving academic probation status, identifying financial assistance, succeeding in college, etc
• Assisted students in STEM career exploration and goal-setting strategies utilizing appropriate career resources to address career interest uncertainty
• Assisted students in addressing various personal challenges that may interfere with their personal, educational, and career goals, including work/life/school balance and financial challenges
• Developed and facilitate Counseling 10: Introduction to College (1 unit CSU Transferrable) designed for first-year STEM students and offered as a summer bridge course for STEM students
• Collaborated with STEM faculty and administrators to develop program maps for STEM certificates and associate degrees to advise students on the courses needed to meet STEM program requirements
• Developed a Canvas shell that helps students explore the various career communities, student support services, student engagement opportunities, and career services.

New Student Counseling Lead

• Hired, trained, and supervised graduate counseling interns and counselors to assist with New Student Counseling sessions designed to support new students' transition, engagement, onboarding, and success as first-year students
• Assisted with coordinating and scheduling New Student Counseling and the Summer Welcome Center 'pop-up' designed to support new students
• Developed curriculum and materials that support new students in onboarding, from application to developing an educational plan for their first semester
• Advocated for equity-minded solutions that support the diverse population of new students, including returning adults, English language learners, non-credit to college credit, and students with a physical or learning disability
• Collaborated with staff, faculty, administrators, and counselors to streamline the onboarding process and steps designed to support new students
• Worked collaboratively with empowerment programs such as Ujima, Puente, FYE Pathways, TRIO PASS, EOP&S, and CORE to promote student engagement and affiliation with programs to support students' unique needs.

• Collaborated with various stakeholders to develop a culturally sustaining guided pathways framework that is race-conscious and identity-affirming for Latine students and other minoritized student populations
• Assisted in strategic planning and program development in alignment with College and HSI grant objectives, specifically focusing on enhancing educational outcomes for Guided Pathways, Latine, and minoritized student populations
• Ensured seamless alignment of projects and initiatives with HSI's mission, goals, grant specifications, and relevant laws and policies
• Assisted with developing and preparing the Latinx Data Symposium, leveraging survey and interview data to shape the direction of grant activities
• Created and implemented the Latine student advisory Equipo, overseeing 7-10 student leaders annually
• Collaborated with the HSI team and the Latine community to create the inaugural Latine Resource Guide
• Spearheaded the recruitment, hiring, and training of Latine student leaders, fostering campus-wide partnerships to support student-led initiatives
• Conceptualized and implemented monthly student leadership programming for Latine student leaders
• Collaborated on marketing efforts to establish a distinctive brand identity for the Latine community at PCC - SOMOS PCC
• Contributed to the ongoing development of the HSI website, ensuring information is accurate and current
• Efficiently manage weekly activities and coordinate regular student advisory meetings as the primary facilitator
• Developed and coordinated semester programming centered on Latine student success and community building in collaboration with the student advisory Equipo
• Established campus-wide partnerships to support guided entry initiatives student-focused initiatives and ensure the success of Latine students.

• Researched, developed, and organized the presentation and curricular materials for College 1: First-Year Seminar (3-unit UC/CSU transferrable course) designed to help students transition to college and develop the academic and personal behaviors necessary to succeed
• Co-developed a culturally relevant unit focusing on career exploration and community cultural wealth
• Collaborated with graphic designers and distance education to develop the presentation of an online course that is accessible, aesthetically appealing, and easy to navigate
• Improved student comprehension by incorporating diverse teaching methods and multimedia presentations.
• Mentored new teachers in best practices for seminar instruction, contributing to overall faculty development.
• Assisted students in improving research skills, guiding them through the process of conducting research investigations for class projects.
• Assisted with the recruitment and hiring of faculty to teach College 1
• Co-facilitated training and support services to faculty teaching College 1
• Mentored new faculty members to provide support in teaching at College 1.

• Provided academic, vocational, career, transfer, and personal counseling to students challenged by academic, language, or social disadvantages
• Participated in matriculation process services, including developing student educational plans, semester program planning, and follow-up
• Developed and deliver workshops on study skills, career planning, and college orientation
• Provided counseling services to the general population, including adult/re-entry, transfer-bound, career/technical education, ESL students, and veterans
• Supported and guided students experiencing academic difficulties, probation, and academic dismissal
• Provided online and telephone counseling services to distance learning students
• Provided distance/online counseling services to active-duty and incarcerated students
• Assisted students in STAR, a fast-track transfer program, with developing an educational plan and planning and implementing immediate and long-range educational goals
• Provided information related to career and transfer options
• Coordinated and conduct classroom presentations and workshops on specific majors, transfer requirements, and college success
• Evaluated transcripts with the graduation office and other colleges/universities.

• Taught COUN 001: Developing Learning Skills (1-unit course CSU transferrable) and COUNS 11: Orientation to Higher Education (3-unit course UC/CSU transferrable course)
• Developed lesson plans and provide instruction, guidance, and application in areas essential to academic success, such as career exploration, time management, and educational planning
• Assisted in developing and evaluating Student Learning Outcomes
• Implemented innovative teaching methods to engage students and foster an interactive learning environment.
• Established strong rapport with students, fostering a positive classroom atmosphere conducive to learning.
• Promoted diversity and inclusion initiatives within the classroom setting, encouraging open dialogue among students from varying backgrounds.
• Informed students of the opportunities, resources, and support services available at Santa Monica College
• Collaborated with colleagues to develop a comprehensive counseling curriculum, resulting in improved student outcomes.

• Taught Counseling 140: Educational Planning (1-unit CSU transferrable) course designed for new students as part of enrollment. The course includes an orientation to college life and responsibilities, college requirements and regulations, career guidance, and individual student educational plan development.

• Provided educational, vocational, and personal counseling to current and potential EOP&S/CARE students
• Assisted students in making career choices and educational planning decisions, including appropriate course placement and vocational counseling
• Developed, implement, and coordinate the First Annual Career Academy Seminar designed to help students develop the skills needed to be successful in the workforce
• Participated in EOPS and campus outreach events at local high schools and community agencies
• Delivered group counseling sessions and workshops geared towards helping students develop the skills needed to succeed academically

• Provided comprehensive counseling and college preparation services to 60 first-generation high school students from Crenshaw and Venice High School to help students succeed in high school and, ultimately, college
• Developed individualized academic plans and assess student progress
• Assisted with the delivery of Saturday Academies, summer programs, and workshops
• Taught counseling courses geared toward helping students develop learning skills
• Assisted in organizing and implementing college trips, social events, and cultural events.

• Provided academic, career, and personal counseling services to high school students in the Early College High School program
• Conducted orientations and workshops for parents and students on program services, college planning, financial aid, college options, and transfer information
• Coordinated campus tours and connect with outreach coordinators from local colleges and universities to stay current with the college requirements
• Maintained and collected student data and academic progress for program evaluation
• Served as a liaison between Newport-Mesa Unified School District and Coastline Community College.

• Administered classroom lessons to students in grades K-12th, follow lesson plans provided by the teacher, and manage classroom behavior
• Monitored student activity and ensure student safety by following school policies and procedures.
• Developed strong relationships with students, fostering a positive learning environment and encouraging personal growth.
• Managed classroom behavior effectively, implementing clear expectations and consistent consequences for all students.
• Improved student comprehension by utilizing a variety of teaching methods tailored to individual learning styles.
• Enhanced classroom engagement by incorporating hands-on activities and group projects.

• Provided individual and group counseling, guidance, and support services to identified students and families to assist with resolving various student issues and problems and enhance social, emotional, and academic growth
• Prepared and deliver classroom presentations concerning social, emotional, and academic development
• Developed strategies, goals, and objectives for resolving student issues and enhancing basic skills
• Served as a liaison between staff, teachers, administrators, parents, and others concerning student issues, needs, and related counseling services
• Provided individual counseling to at-promise students identified as being below basic skills, credit deficient, and dealing with a personal crisis
• Planned and Coordinated Career Fair 2011 by recruiting employers to participate, organizing the location, and handling the capacity of employers and the expected number of students
• Developed interventions for academically at-promise students
• Conducted presentations to seniors on 'Colleges and Universities,' 'How to Pay for College,' and 'Life after High School and Your Options.'
• Improved client progress by implementing evidence-based counseling techniques and strategies.

• Assisted the teacher with the development and implementation of classroom activities
• Assisted teachers in developing differentiated instructional strategies, resulting in improved student outcomes.
• Provided one-on-one support to students with special needs, enabling them to achieve academic success.
• Collaborated with classroom teachers to design engaging lessons that aligned with state standards and curriculum objectives.
• Managed student practices and assignments in various subjects such as reading, writing, math, art, and science
• Observed and reported progress regarding student performance and behavior.