Joanna Ojada
Parlin,NJ
Summary
To secure a challenging position that will utilize my experience and skills while offering an opportunity for future growth.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President of Student Support Services
Helene Fuld College of Nursing, New York Campus
NEW YORK, NY
08.2019 - Current
- I oversee the Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Division as the Vice President of Student Services. My role involves providing effective leadership for various administrative and co-curricular offices and departments catering to students' services outside the classroom. These include Enrollment Services, Admission, Student Affairs, Registrar, Tutoring Services, Career Services, Financial Aid, Student Accommodations, Veteran Services, and Academic Advisement. My vision and strategic planning help to ensure that the division runs smoothly and provides a dynamic learning experience for students.
- Create, assess, update, and implement a Strategic Enrollment Management Plan that is data-informed and aligns with the mission and vision of the College.
- Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations supporting goals such as conducting enrollment management-related research and interpreting and utilizing outcome data.
- Define enrollment management department objectives and ensure that they align with the mission and vision of the College.
- In collaboration with the enrollment management team, design, execute, and asses a comprehensive annual recruitment and retention plan that includes outreach to conferences, exhibits, events, colleges and universities, diverse populations, and cultural groups, as well as strategic partnerships.
- Lead all recruitment, retention, and completion efforts by creating innovative enrollment strategies to sustain and grow the enrollment numbers at Helene Fuld College of Nursing.
- Work with campus leaders and faculty to determine the best placement methods for students to ensure success in their classes.
- Develop, foster, and promote new opportunities with public and private sector entities.
- Ensure a welcoming, accepting, and fair campus environment.
- Recommend, develop, and implement policies and procedures that promote student success.
- Monitor academic probation and dismissal.
- Serve on the President's Cabinet to establish programs and policies that fulfill the mission and vision of the College.
- Promote respect for students, faculty, and staff and recognize initiative and excellence.
- Ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and Local laws, policies, and procedures.
- Select, train, motivate, and evaluate administrative staff; establish and monitor employee performance objectives; prepare and present employee performance reviews; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies and implement discipline procedures.
- When required, prepare and present fact-based reports and other necessary correspondence to the President and other committees.
- Maintain open communication with the President.
- Maintain awareness of current developments in enrollment management, student services, higher education, and fields related to assigned functions.
- Serve on committees as directed by the President.
- Provide leadership for a safe student environment that contributes to learning and supports students' intellectual, emotional, academic, and professional development.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional laws, regulations, reports, and accreditation matters concerning student affairs, enrollment management, and financial aid.
- Chair the College's Student Accommodations Committee.
- Participate in the College's student discipline program and ensure due process in the timely handling of student conduct violations according to college State and Federal policies.
- Develop and coordinate programming/referral services that enhance student engagement and personal development.
- Create, expand, and sustain community partnerships with community service providers and colleges/universities.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Associate Director of Financial Aid
Rutgers University
Newark
10.2015 - 08.2019
- Assist and manage the overall administration of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs
- Monitoring program compliance with all funding sources in accordance with federal, state, and institutional rules and regulations
- Responsible for managing and administering the endowed scholarship fund of over one million dollars
- Supervises professional staff, financial aid staff, and student workers on the Newark Campus
- Coordinates the data processing needs of the financial aid office and assists in the implementation of computerized processes that are required for complying with federal and state standards
- Responsible for administrating and reconciling all New Jersey State Grant programs
- Validates the accuracy of the financial aid module automated packaging, processing, and eligibility
- Responsible for reviewing and processing satisfactory academic progress appeals, Return to Title IV calculations, budget reevaluation, and reporting
- Assist in updating the OFA policy and procedures manual
- Work closely with other administrative offices to integrate business processes to provide excellent customer service
- Oversees and manages the default prevention program
- Counsels and advises prospective and current students on Financial Aid policies and procedures, Financial Aid programs, eligibility criteria, application procedures, tuition cost, and repayment plans
- Provides leadership in planning, implementing, evaluating, and continuously improving multiple student service programs, processes, and operations
- Responsible for the department budget reports updates and allocation
- Responsible for coordinating in house audits to ensure internal financial aid files are in good standing
- Prepare reconciliation reports of federal, state, and scholarship funding
- Assist the Director of Financial Aid with the Fiscal Operations Reports and Application (FISAP)
- Assist IT with maintaining all financial aid publications, financial aid online applications and forms, and website
- Primary liaison between all departments (Student Accounting, Registrar's office / Enrollment, Admission, Housing, and Student Affairs,) and federal and state agencies.
Assistant Director of Financial Aid
Rutgers Biomedical and Dental Health Sciences
Newark
07.2012 - 10.2015
- Managed federal and private funding for medical and dental graduate students
- Performed need analysis on student applications to determine their need
- Awarded the appropriate scholarship and/or loan funds according to the fund restrictions
- Reviewed and revised financial aid packaging for all eligible students
- Ensured students were awarded up to their cost of attendance budget
- Managed all financial aid programs and scholarships
- Ensured the office of financial complied with the federal, state, and financial aid regulations, policies, and procedures
- Responsible for updating and implementing the financial aid policies and procedures to comply with federal, state, and university laws
- Managed and processed all Title IV refunds and payments, approved/denied Satisfactory Academic Progress appeals, processed Return of Title IV funds, awarded and process all students’ loans, reviewed and processed budget reevaluations, and maintained default reports from the National Student Loan Data System
- Counseled students and parents on the financial aid process and eligibility of federal and institutional funds
- Provided daily student assistance
- Responded to general inquiries by email correspondence, phone, one-on-one appointments, and walk-in visits
- Resolved student issues and concerns and provided follow up responses
- Implemented Financial Literacy workshops
- Handled individual or group Entrance and Exit Interviews to student loan borrowers
- Provided debt management and loan repayment counseling
- Conducting financial aid presentations weekly to prospective students on interview days
- Supported the mission and efforts of Student Financial Services as a proactive team member
- Attended professional development conferences
- Responsible for managing the front-line service for students and visitors.
Assistant Director of Enrollment Services
The New School
New York City
02.2009 - 07.2012
- Supervised a group of 8 Admissions Counselors
- Guided prospective students throughout the enrollment process and managed recruitment
- Conducted interviews, hosted information sessions, provided campus tours, and community outreach
- Created an educational road map to assist students on their college pathway
- Provided information about the college programs, career opportunities, and financial services
- Managed the Admissions Counselor’s communication with prospect students (emails, phone calls and face-to-face meetings)
- Coordinated and participated in recruitment events
- Managed the Community Education and Professional Development Unit
- Conducted placement testing and interpreted the results to Admissions Counselors
- Counseled students on program selection and registration
- Advised students on admission requirements
- Responsible for evaluating college transcripts and other educational training documents for enrollment
- Provided course advisement to current students in Career Training programs and ensure they were registered for the next sequence of classes
- Managed the enrollment and budget goals, tracked Admissions Counselors progress, and assist in weekly admissions meetings
- Provided ongoing training to new and current Admissions Counselors
- Assisted the Director of Enrollment Services with strategic admissions planning, admissions goals and recruitment activities
- Managed the daily operations of the admission process for undergraduate, graduate, and certificate applicants
- Responsible for mentoring the admissions advisors to the meet School’s annual enrollment, recruitment, and admissions goals
- Collaborated with the Director of Marketing and Admissions to design and develop new printing and online marketing for the Admission Office
- Attended college fairs and conferences
- Responsible for local and foreign recruitment transcripts
- Managed the online and in-person admission events, review applications and coordinated with faculty for graduate admissions.
Assistant Director of Financial Aid / TAP Certifying Officer
Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences, Campus
Manhattan
06.2006 - 02.2009
- Administered and supervised financial aid programs and operations
- Counseled and assisted prospect applicants, current students, and parents on eligibility of financial aid programs and application process
- Collected and reviewed all Title IV verification documents for students selected by the Federal government such as, federal tax returns, income documents, verification worksheets, residency/citizenship documents and selective service
- Verified students’ eligibility and status for state grant programs (TAP or ATP) and scholarships
- Performed overrides and budget adjustments as appropriate base on school guidelines and was responsible for processing R2T4’S for withdrawal students
- Contacting and counseling default students on their current loan balances
- Conducting and processing exit interviews for graduating students
- Duties also include assisting the Financial Aid Director with running reports on expecting, pending and received financial aid funds
- Responding to students’ inquiries and maintaining student administrative records on school database
- Responsible for interviewing and supervising work study students within the Financial Aid Department.
Assistant Vice President
- Of Student Support Services, I report to the VP/Provost and work closely with other executives and Administrators within the college
- My essential functions consist of, collaborating with other executives and administrators of the college to identify and address critical issues impacted the mission, vision, and strategic direction
- Overseeing the department of Enrollment Services, Admission, Student Affairs, Registrars, Career Services, and Financial Aid
- Working closely with all members of the college community to provide a cohesive and comprehensive student experience
- Coordinate the development and management of co-curricular learning and service opportunities with campus constituencies and community leaders
- Serve as an active member of the Leadership Cabinet, proactively representing the needs of students and the perspectives of all student matters
- Develop, oversee, and support student-centered programs and services to complement the academic mission of the institution
- Work Closely with student leadership as an advisor, mentor, and advocate
- Help establish a student culture where discourse is encouraged and where students learn to respect differences, take responsibility for their actions, and exercise leadership
- Establish standards and management practices to ensure the quality and contemporary validity of all Student Support Services, including assist with program reviews and other means of assessment
- Remain current on all compliance matters regarding Financial Aid and Enrollment Services and due process, including student rights under FERPA
- Develops and maintains policies and procedures of Student Support Services
- Manages Campus Activities, Special Events, College activity calendar, and Commencement
- Responsible for communications with students, staff and the external public regarding departmental policies and procedures including sensitive and confidential information
- Assist with the on-boarding process for new hires and professional staff members in the student information system
- Manages academic advisement services for students
- Admissions - Responsible for managing and directing all activities related to achieving enrollment goals
- Work with deans, chairpersons, senior faculty/administrators, and the leadership of Student Financial Services and the Registrar's Office, in matters relating to the admission and recruitment of new undergraduate students and their successful matriculation and retention
- Manages the admission of all prospective applicants from first contact to matriculation, including recruiting, marketing communications, and application processing, review, and decision-making
- Plans, coordinates, and evaluates the recruitment activities of the office, both on and off campus
- Student Accommodations - handles the application of the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure all students have equal access to services
- Responsible for preparing appropriate reports; analyzes and evaluates enrollment and retention data; projects student enrollment and retention data to be used in strategic decision making
- Provides direction for customer service initiatives in the Student Services division
- Manages Veteran Services for students
- Handles student tutoring services
- Coordinates Career and Volunteer services for students
- Oversees Scholarships
- Assist with state grant funding allocations
Education
Ph.D. - Educational Leadership
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA12-2025
MBA -
SUNY Empire State College
Bachelor’s Degree - Business Administration
SUNY Empire State College
Skills
- Accounting and Financial Aid Skills
- Microsoft Applications
- Senior level experience in enrollment management
- Experience in counseling or advising students on matters pertaining to education and career/vocational objectives
- Experience with Ellucian/Colleague ERP, Anthology, PowerFaids, SONIS,
- Excellent interpersonal skills for effective regular contact with diverse internal and external stakeholders
- Able to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals
Timeline
Vice President of Student Support Services
Helene Fuld College of Nursing, New York Campus
08.2019 - Current
Associate Director of Financial Aid
Rutgers University
10.2015 - 08.2019
Assistant Director of Financial Aid
Rutgers Biomedical and Dental Health Sciences
07.2012 - 10.2015
Assistant Director of Enrollment Services
The New School
02.2009 - 07.2012
Assistant Director of Financial Aid / TAP Certifying Officer
Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences, Campus
06.2006 - 02.2009
Assistant Vice President
Ph.D. - Educational Leadership
Liberty University
MBA -
SUNY Empire State College
Bachelor’s Degree - Business Administration
SUNY Empire State College