Jennifer Garcia
Williamsburg
Summary
Motivated and experienced professional well versed in the area of residence life in higher education ready to bring 20+ years of relevant work experience fully invested in working to ensure quality student experiences for residents and student staff. Effective at training and evaluating staff to enhance skills to be effective leaders. Skilled in working under pressure/stress and adapting to new situations and challenges. Collaborative leader dedicated to partnering with colleagues across the university in order to enhance the broader student experience. Committed to inclusiveness and creating a sense of belonging for all.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Area Director
College Of William & Mary, Residence Life
07.2000 - Current
- Manage residential areas consisting of 9-20+ buildings at any given time, including monitoring facilities for damage, vandalism and safety concerns.
- Assist in recruiting, hiring and training of student staff.
- Directly train, supervise and evaluate 20-45 student staff at the graduate and undergraduate level.
- Determine performance benchmarks and review those during one on ones.
- Participate in on-call duty rotation for campus to respond to emergencies, support and consult with student staff.
- Manage crisis situations effectively by following established protocols and maintaining open communication channels with relevant stakeholders.
- Act as hearing officer in cases involving student conduct violations and implement restorative practices in resolutions of those cases.
- Act as Title IX advisor to students for office of Compliance and Equity.
- Advisor to the William & Mary Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH).
- Manage budgets for community councils and NRHH.
- Suggested changes to better align with our department's brand (moving title of positions and council from "hall" to "community")
- Implemented changes to better manage keys which was adopted across campus duty offices.
- Reported issues to higher management to provide insight, gain guidance and support on various issues.
- Foster a sense of community within the residence halls by encouraging resident engagement.
- Conduct welfare checks on students of concern and follow up accordingly with them and campus partners.
- Facilitate staff meetings that promote open dialogue amongst team members concerning ongoing issues or potential improvement within the area and the department.
- Contribute to the overall success of the department b collaborating with team members on various initiatives.
Residence Director
State University Of New York At Albany
07.1998 - 05.2000
- Responded to student inquiries and concerns, offering support and guidance.
- Reduced conflicts among residents by mediating disputes and fostering a positive living environment.
- Fostered a strong sense of community within the residence hall by encouraging resident engagement in social activities, clubs, and organizations on campus.
- Supervised student employees and provided feedback on performance.
- Helped develop and implement programs to foster community growth and development.
- Served as a resource for student concerns, connecting residents to appropriate campus services for support.
- Monitored student behavior and responded to disciplinary issues in accordance with established policies.
- Oversaw the recruitment, hiring, training, and evaluation of Resident Assistants, cultivating an effective team of professionals.
- Organized move-in/move-out processes to optimize efficiency without compromising the residential experience.
- Maintained safe living conditions by enforcing residence policies and conducting regular building inspections.
- Provided crisis management and intervention during emergency situations.
- Facilitated staff meetings.
- Conducted weekly meetings with students to review goals, address issues and provide support.
- Provided swift and knowledgeable emergency support in line with campus crisis protocols.
- Collaborated with residential team to maximize effective and efficient operations.
- Assisted in recruitment and selection of student leaders.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Co-Instructed RA course.
- Served on C.H.A.R.G.E. Committee.
Education
Master of Science in Teaching - Secondary Education
State University of New York
Plattsburgh, NYBachelor of Arts - Latin American And Caribbean Studies
SUNY At Albany
Albany, NYAdditional Coursework & Training Opportunities
Skills
- Teamwork & Collaboration
- Staff training & Development
- Performance Evaluations
- Documentation Skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Products
- Cultural Competence
Additional Information
- CliftonStrengths: Deliberative*Learner*Intellection*Arranger*Empathy
- Inducted into First Generation Honor Society, Tri-Alpha, Fall 2024
- Recognized as Professional Staff Member of the Year by NRHH, May 2023
- Recognized as an Influencer by students via the Cohen Career Center 2022, 2021, 2018
- Participated in Home Without Hazing Training, 2022
- Recognized as core campus partner by WMPD, December 2021
- VACUHO Drive-In Conference, Presenter, 2013
- Edited the College of William & Mary Office of Residence Life, Head Resident Hall Council Advisor Manual, 2012-2013
- Title IX Workshop on Sexual Misconduct and Alcohol Use, 2013
- SEAHO, Attendee and Volunteer, 2010
- ACUHO-I, Co-Presented on Assorted Topics, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008
- HumaNext, Attendee, 2006
- NCORE Attendee, 2006
- Published Article-SEAHO Report, Spring 2005, We're off to see...
- VACUHO Service Award for Excellence, 2005
- VACUHO-RA Conference, Presenter 2005
- VASPA/VACUHO, Attendee 2000, 2004; Presenter, 2002, 2003
- Published Article-SEAHO Report, Fall 2003, Coming together in Crisis
- Black Student Leadership Conference, Co-Presenter, 2003
- Pre-Collegiate Multicultural Leadership Conference, Presenter, 2002, 2003
- Organization of Hispanic Leadership in America, Co-Presenter, 2002
- Volunteer with the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities
- Co-Facilitated a training on Restorative Practices to elementary school teachers
- Member in Good Standing, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated
Timeline
Area Director
College Of William & Mary, Residence Life
07.2000 - Current
Residence Director
State University Of New York At Albany
07.1998 - 05.2000
Master of Science in Teaching - Secondary Education
State University of New York
Bachelor of Arts - Latin American And Caribbean Studies
SUNY At Albany
Additional Coursework & Training Opportunities
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