GRACE IPPOLITO
Orchard Park,USA
Summary
Multifaceted and student-centered higher education professional with over four years of progressive experience in residence life, enrollment, recruitment, teaching, and event coordination. Currently serving as Associate Director for Residence Life, I lead initiatives that enhance student engagement, support residential communities, and promote student retention and well-being. Passionate about fostering inclusive living-learning environments and mentoring student leaders. I excel in cross-functional collaboration, strategic communication, and developing programs that align with institutional goals and elevate the student experience both inside and outside the classroom.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Director of Residence Life
Niagara University
07.2025 - Current
- Responsible for the management of the residence life program including supervising Residence Director staff, development of living/learning and community standards programs in all residences; recruitment, hiring, and training of all residence hall staff; oversight of programming and community development in all residences; and the resolution of student personnel and management problems in the halls.
- Essential Duties
- Oversee day-to-day functions of the residence halls, including the staff and students.
- Supervise and evaluate four Residence Director (RD) staff members. Hire and train residence directors with the Director.
- Assist RDs with the supervision and evaluation of the paraprofessional staff.
- Co-chair the Students of Concern team, provide follow up and case-management as needed. Liaise with students, family, faculty and administrators to provide support and assistance.
- Oversee the community development and programming model for the department.
- Maintain the Student Conduct System online, assign all cases each week, assist in tracking violations, sanctions, and follow up under direction of the Associate Dean or Dean of Student Engagement.
- Serve as hearing officer for routine to mid-level violations of the Student Code of Conduct.
- Meet with at-risk students or those with issues/concerns as assigned by the Director or Dean of Students.
- Lead in managing student concerns, parent concerns, and work to follow up, address concerns, and connect all with campus resources.
- Assist in housing operations, including making room changes, billing, room assignments, move in/day move out, break housing, etc.
- Develop and implement the Community Advisor Selection process each Spring for the following Fall, as needed throughout the year when vacancies occur.
- Responsible for the curriculum for paraprofessional training programs for the beginning of each semester, and on an ongoing basis throughout the year, including in-service trainings.
- Serve in an on-call rotation, maintaining the ability to take phone calls and come to campus if needed during high risk, emergency, and/or crisis situations. Be available as a resource to the Residence Director staff, Campus Safety staff and other University partners.
- Considered Essential Personnel whose physical presence is required on campus and must also be prepared to address those functions remotely (from off-campus) as needed when operations are restricted or the campus is closed.
- Support University sustainability initiatives. Develop and maintain programs for sustainability in the residence halls.
- Serve on the Crisis Response Team as subject matter expert and obtain preparatory training.
- Serve on University committees as assigned.
- Review and apply all policies and procedures outlined in the university Affirmative Action Plan.
- Maintain confidentiality of information (including but not limited to: student and employee personal information, student grades, etc.), both during and after their employment with the University. Any question regarding the confidentiality of material, should be referred to the supervisor. Any violation shall subject the employee to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
- Collaborate and communicate with university partners on events and programs.
- Perform all other duties as assigned.
- Regularly attend and/or facilitate weeknight/weekend programs.
Admissions Counselor & Events Coordinator
Canisius University
01.2024 - 07.2025
- Represent and present admissions information sessions both on and off campus to prospective students, parents, secondary school counselors, and others involved in the University selection process.
- Coordinate and direct recruitment activities for assigned high schools and recruiting territories.
- Counsel prospective applicants on the admissions process.
- Conduct in-depth enrollment and territory data analysis, tracking key metrics, establishing goals, and utilizing insights to drive strategic recruitment and marketing efforts.
- Plan and support various visit programs designed to recruit targeted, prospective students.
- Project management collaboration with the marketing department to develop and execute comprehensive marketing campaigns, including email, social media, and content strategies for admissions events.
- On-campus and off-campus recruitment events, information sessions, and other engagement opportunities to promote all programs.
- Recommend and explain financial aid options to help students understand how to pay for their education.
Assistant Director for Center of Communication
East Carolina University
01.2023 - 12.2023
- Consult with students to provide a variety of communication needs. These consultations can help with presentations, sales pitches, conversations with professors, job interviews, and more.
- Cultivates strategic relationships with professors and department chairs to ensure their students enrolled in their departments receive professional development training.
- Serves as a strategic liaison, fostering relationships with key internal and external stakeholders including faculty, career services, peer institutions, and industry professionals to maximize recruitment potential for the School of Communication.
- Represents the university at undergraduate recruitment fairs and networking events across the region.
- Oversee website content management, communications, and outreach campaigns targeting prospective and current undergraduate communication.
Teaching Assistant for School of Communication
East Carolina University
08.2022 - 12.2023
- Help facilitate discussion in lecture-based classes.
- Promote a positive learning environment by assisting with lessons plans and materials.
- Lead discussions, projects, and homework assignments.
- Graded papers, discussion boards, and projects.
- Recorded and reported students progress throughout the semester.
Admissions Advisor/Enrollment Services Specialist
Bryant & Stratton College
06.2021 - 08.2022
- Receive inbound calls to interview and recruit students for enrollment.
- Served as the primary first year student advisor responsible for aggressively recruiting and enrolling both in-state and out-of-state students.
- Developed strategic communications plans and publications to support enrollment advisors during start (yield) seasons.
- Acted as a consultative resource to provide students with information on the institution.
- Comprehensively reviewed and evaluated over 2,000 applications annually, admitting approximately 78% of applicants and managing their enrollment pipeline.
- Conducted extensive outreach to over 1,000 admitted students annually through out-bound phone calls, email, and interviews to drive yield efforts.
Education
Master of Arts - Strategic Communication
East Carolina University
12.2023
Bachelors of Science - Integrated Marketing Communication
Canisius University
12.2021
High School Diploma - undefined
Mount Mercy Academy
05.2018
Skills
- Data analytics
- Slate
- Marketing
- Social Media Communication
- Recruitment
- Professional development
- Decision-making
- Team collaboration and leadership
- Analytical thinking
- Critical thinking
- Strategic leadership
- Operations management
- Key relationship development
- Coaching and mentoring
- Product management
- Organizational development
- Community outreach
- Crisis management
- Event planning
- Relationship building
- Process improvement
- Key relationship management
- Technical implementation
- Corporate communications
- Onboarding and training
- Public speaking
- Budget management
- Work Planning and Prioritization
- Data collection
- Database coordination
- Expense control
- Administrative support
- Financial administration
- Diversity and inclusion initiatives
- Verbal and written communication
- Recruiting and interviewing
- Reporting and documentation
- Strategic planning
- Stakeholder engagement
- Program coordination
- Staff coordination
- Business administration
Timeline
Associate Director of Residence Life
Niagara University
07.2025 - Current
Admissions Counselor & Events Coordinator
Canisius University
01.2024 - 07.2025
Assistant Director for Center of Communication
East Carolina University
01.2023 - 12.2023
Teaching Assistant for School of Communication
East Carolina University
08.2022 - 12.2023
Admissions Advisor/Enrollment Services Specialist
Bryant & Stratton College
06.2021 - 08.2022
Bachelors of Science - Integrated Marketing Communication
Canisius University
High School Diploma - undefined
Mount Mercy Academy
Master of Arts - Strategic Communication
East Carolina University