Dr. LASHAWN BROWN
DETROIT,MI
Summary
Dedicated and results-driven educator, administrator, and advisor with a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and nearly 20 years of experience championing student success. Proven expertise in building collaborative relationships across campus communities, promoting resources that support college transition and career development, and leveraging global education to create impactful learning and skill-building opportunities. Adept at developing and managing instructional resources, ensuring alignment with branding, content accuracy, and learner engagement. A detail-oriented diversity and inclusion professional with a strong track record of identifying trends and implementing strategic learning solutions that drive organizational growth and enhance brand value.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Financial Aid Compliance Specialist
Wayne State University
05.2023 - Current
- Manage critical financial aid processes, including Graduate Plus, Parent Plus and Alternative loans, ensuring adherence to Department of Education regulations and institutional policies across a student body of 15,000+, allowing students to receive proper funding on time, reducing delays and errors
- Mange student communication through Cherwell, clarifying complex financial aid issues and achieving a 95% resolution rate via email
- Completes Title IV calculations and reviews to ensure proper funding is received, applied, and maintained within student accounts
- Spearheaded the creation of procedures on how to complete processing plus loan and work study applications, improving processing efficiency of these applications by 30%
- Assisted in the preparation of regular reports for senior management, detailing compliance activities and progress towards established goals.
Online Adjunct Faculty
Eastern Gateway Community College
08.2019 - 05.2024
- Developed and delivered engaging online courses in HR management to undergraduate students, incorporating visual aids and detailed syllabi to cater to diverse learning styles enhancing student engagement
- Fostered a supportive learning environment by educating, mentoring, and advising 80+ undergraduates per semester
- Prepared assignments, exams, and quizzes that align with course requirements
- Enforced the Student Code of Honor to address plagiarism or misconduct
- Conducted virtual office hours and Q&A forums, improving student understanding of course material, leading to a 93% course completion rate
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
Financial Aid Specialist
Dorsey College
05.2021 - 05.2023
- Educated students on eligibility, application processes, and other financial aid sources to develop a suitable financial plan
- Facilitated hybrid financial aid orientation meetings for 300+ incoming students
- Earned 10 monthly award for 90%+ complete financial aid packaging rate
- Facilitated half-day new student orientations via Zoom and in person
- Assisted in maintaining a campus retention rate of 85%
- Reduced errors in financial aid documentation by meticulously reviewing and verifying submitted information.
Training Specialist
Macomb Community College
08.2019 - 05.2021
- Collaborated with the Director of Career Services to review seminar materials, i.e., student guides, facilitator guides, and active learning resources
- Implemented enhancements and developed updated content that improved academic success
- Applied ADA accommodations for students with physical/learning disabilities
- Trained students on resume writing skills and conducted mock job interviews
- Designed and conducted workshops on academic integrity, critical thinking, time-management, improving student compliance and understanding as evidenced by positive faculty feedback
- Created a financial literacy workshop attended by 200+ students, resulting in a 30% improvement in financial management knowledge as measure by post-workshop surveys
- Evaluated training effectiveness using feedback surveys and assessments, making continuous improvements as needed.
Extension Educator
Michigan State University Extension
01.2014 - 07.2017
- Promoted from Financial Coach to supplement student services, providing workshops for TRIO and Upward bound students
- Designed an online Money Management course and conducted on-campus financial literacy and homeownership workshops that supported minority, low-income, and underserved students, and community members
- Managed a $10K budget, asked for donations, and acquired speakers to organize a “Money Smart” week event that was open to the public and attended by 100+
- Piloted a debt management/path to homeownership program with the United Way, helping many to rebuild their credit and qualify for home financing
- Supervised staff of two direct reports, providing training, coaching, and performance feedback
- Researched best practices and attended conferences to provide current financial literacy
- Ninety-five percent satisfaction of program from attendees
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop and revise curriculum, enhancing learning experience.
Financial Coach/Instructor
Michigan State University Extension
11.2012 - 01.2014
- Served as a Financial Coach working 1-on-1 with clients and student participants to increase financial awareness, secure housing, and employment, establish SMART goals, and manage debt and credit, while learning to save and invest
- Increased client participation by 30% through vigorous event marketing efforts
- Provided in-person workshops and seminars, adapting content to suit diverse student needs and ensuring compliance with ADA accommodations
- Conducted community outreach through social media, press releases, and networking, which improved education program attendance
- Fostered a supportive environment where clients felt comfortable discussing sensitive topics related to their finances.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) - Higher Education Administration
University of Phoenix
Master of Business Administration (MBA) -
University of Phoenix
Southfield, MIBachelor of Arts (BA) - English
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MISkills
- Project Management
- Curriculum Development
- Instructional Design
- Federal Direct/Private Education Loans
- Financial Aid Audits
- Compliance Management
- Student Engagement
- Workshop Facilitation
- Online Teaching
- ADA
- FERPA
- Banner
- Canvas
- Microsoft Office Suite
- SharePoint
- Zoom
- Compliance monitoring
Timeline
Financial Aid Compliance Specialist
Wayne State University
05.2023 - Current
Financial Aid Specialist
Dorsey College
05.2021 - 05.2023
Online Adjunct Faculty
Eastern Gateway Community College
08.2019 - 05.2024
Training Specialist
Macomb Community College
08.2019 - 05.2021
Extension Educator
Michigan State University Extension
01.2014 - 07.2017
Financial Coach/Instructor
Michigan State University Extension
11.2012 - 01.2014
Master of Business Administration (MBA) -
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - English
University of Michigan
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) - Higher Education Administration
University of Phoenix
Similar Profiles
SUE BROWN CLARKSUE BROWN CLARK
Business System Analyst II at Wayne State University – Fiscal Operation/Technical Support Services /University Information SystemsBusiness System Analyst II at Wayne State University – Fiscal Operation/Technical Support Services /University Information Systems
Celson Belton MDCelson Belton MD
Teacher at Wayne State University School of MedicineTeacher at Wayne State University School of Medicine
Carla Crawford EarnestCarla Crawford Earnest
Grounds Keeper Supervisor at Wayne State University School of MedicineGrounds Keeper Supervisor at Wayne State University School of Medicine
Carter GlowackiCarter Glowacki
Master of Public Health Student Assistant at Wayne State UniversityMaster of Public Health Student Assistant at Wayne State University
Kendra DavisKendra Davis
Academic Interventionist at Detroit Public School Community DistrictAcademic Interventionist at Detroit Public School Community District