Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Certification
Timeline
Generic
Karina Fontanez

Karina Fontanez

Chelmsford,MA

Summary

Proven leader with expertise in communication, relationship management, negotiations, and critical thinking. Extensive experience in higher education, including academic and career advising, recruitment, and training. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and fluent in Spanish, with a strong attention to detail.

Overview

7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Director of Retention

Lasell University
Newton, MA
01.2023 - Current
  • Provide strategic direction to create a seamless structure to support retention and persistence practices.
  • Monitor undergraduate advancement toward degree completion and graduation rates to develop a comprehensive plan for improving student retention and graduation rates, and to report this information each semester to all units and personnel involved in retention efforts.
  • Serve as a liaison between Academic and Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, and other units to build opportunities for collaboration and persistence partnerships.
  • Demonstrate and support outreach strategies that contribute to the engagement and development of students from a range of backgrounds, particularly those from minoritized populations (e.g., Pell-grant recipients, first generation college students, LGBTQ+ students, and students of color).
  • Collaborate with various constituencies on campus to create, support, and assess initiatives and programming designed to increase retention and graduation rates.
  • Establish targeted strategies, initiatives, and programming for first generation, underserved, and minoritized students, Pell-grant recipients, high achieving students, international students, such as mentoring, team building, navigating college sessions, special housing, and other co-curricular activities.
  • Demonstrates and supports effective intercultural engagement among employees and students and fosters an inclusive atmosphere.

Assistant Dean of Students

Salem Academy Charter School
07.2023 - 11.2023
  • In collaboration with the Dean of Students, the Assistant Dean of Students will ensure the effective implementation of Salem Academy’s Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
  • Collaborate with staff, students, and families to promote a safe and supportive school culture.
  • Collaborate with the Executive Director, Managing Director of Safe and Supportive Culture, Principals, and Dean of Students to provide staff training on policies and procedures regarding behavior and culture.
  • Actively monitor student behavior in communal areas throughout the day.
  • Ensuring that Positive Behavior Supports are implemented effectively.
  • Communicating with families and staff regarding behavior incidents.
  • Oversees the day-day-day coordination of the internal and external mentorship programs.
  • Supervising restorative circles, reflection rooms, and detention when necessary.
  • Administering behavior plans and other supports as needed.
  • Reporting all incidents of bullying and harassment as stated in the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan.

Assistant Director Lasell Works

Lasell University
Newton, MA
10.2022 - 07.2023
  • Develop partnerships with companies and organizations to employ students in the Lasell Works program and to provide internship and career opportunities for all Lasell students.
  • Recruit prospective high school students for Lasell Works and do outreach to prospective students and their families.
  • Support students in the program over four years and connect them with resources on and off campus.
  • Provide support to faculty and students for teaching and learning in an online environment.
  • Research grant opportunities, write grant applications, and manage grants.
  • Work with faculty to facilitate and develop the curriculum for the program.
  • Coordinate all internal and external communication regarding Lasell Works and the students enrolled in the program.
  • Develop and manage the Lasell Works budget.

Professional Academic Adviser

Lasell University
Newton, MA
09.2021 - 07.2023
  • Provide academic advising, a teaching and learning process, focused on helping the student connect higher education with educational, career and life goals.
  • Collaborate with community members to strengthen the referral process and student use of campus resources in areas including Career Services, the Academic Achievement Center, Counseling Center, and others.
  • Assist with developing and implementing a structured, proactive advising system and culture that enhances students' understanding and utilization of Lasell College programs, policies, procedures and resources.
  • Participate in all New Student Orientation Programs.
  • Support the LEAPS (Lasell’s Early Action Partnership for Student Success) early intervention initiative by communicating with students and community members as needed.
  • Provide supplemental academic counseling for students from any of the following student populations: first-year students, students on academic probation, transfer students, students with disabilities, students changing majors and others.
  • Collect data for research and assessment on advising, first year experience, and in other areas.
  • In addition to working with first year students with declared majors, serve as the academic advisor for undeclared majors during their first and/or second year.
  • Assist the Dean of Academic Success with assessment of academic advising programs and services.
  • Provide other advising related duties as assigned.

Academic Advisor

Middlesex Community College
Lowell, MA
01.2019 - 07.2021
  • Provide high quality, comprehensive academic and transfer advising services.
  • Serve as primary walk-in / pathways advising support for late afternoon / evening hours.
  • Provide advising technology assistance to all student populations including but not limited to EAB Navigate, DegreeWorks, Civitas College Scheduler, Focus 2 / Optimal Resume, SoftDocs / E-Forms, and more.
  • Provide comprehensive advising to help students assess their skills, interests, and aptitudes; identify realistic career goals; and develop an educational plan.
  • Help students become increasingly capable of making informed educational and career decisions.
  • Provide information about educational options, admission to selective programs, major and course selection, financial aid information, graduation requirements, transfer to baccalaureate degree programs, and college policies and procedures.
  • Participate in group and individual Advising/Registration Sessions, individual academic advising appointments, and other departmental initiatives.

Education

Doctor of Education - Higher Education Administration

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
05-2026

Master of Divinity -

Andover Newton Theological Seminary
Andover, MA
05.2014

Bachelor of Science - Fashion Design and Production

Lasell University
Newton, MA
05.2003

Skills

  • Student engagement
  • Academic advising
  • Program development
  • Intercultural communication
  • Strategic planning
  • Collaborative partnerships
  • Data analysis

Languages

Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
English
Native/ Bilingual

Certification

  • Spiritual and Pastoral Care 2014
  • Ordained Revered 2017
  • Google AI Essentials 2024
  • QPR Gatekeeper Certificate 2024

Timeline

Assistant Dean of Students

Salem Academy Charter School
07.2023 - 11.2023

Director of Retention

Lasell University
01.2023 - Current

Assistant Director Lasell Works

Lasell University
10.2022 - 07.2023

Professional Academic Adviser

Lasell University
09.2021 - 07.2023

Academic Advisor

Middlesex Community College
01.2019 - 07.2021

Doctor of Education - Higher Education Administration

Liberty University

Master of Divinity -

Andover Newton Theological Seminary

Bachelor of Science - Fashion Design and Production

Lasell University

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