Kassandra Kurzhals
Columbus,OH
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
College of Social Work Graduate Academic Advisor
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
02.2025 - 06.2026
- Provided essential academic guidance, enabling 300-450 students to develop personalized schedules. Steered academic counseling efforts, empowering graduate students to achieve strategic educational goals. Facilitated enhanced academic planning outcomes for numerous graduate students, fostering successful schedule execution.
- Achieved improved scheduling efficiency through the creation of a Microsoft Outlook-based booking system. Empowered colleagues with training on system usage, fostering greater workplace collaboration. Enhanced student engagement through the facilitation of development programs and Q&A sessions.
- Analyzed and presented student advising data through Excel and SSRS to support academic advising initiatives.
- Facilitated communication between students and social work field office to address internship and fieldwork advocacy needs.
Agribusiness and Applied Economics Undergraduate Academic Advisor
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
01.2020 - 02.2025
- Promoted to Academic Advisor 2 during the Career Roadmap process (March 2022)
- Managed academic advising and support services, providing tailored assistance and referrals to a diverse group of 170+ undergraduate students.
- Acted as a primary point of contact for faculty instructors, ensuring alignment with university policies and initiatives.
- Developed and delivered course content for AEDE 100, emphasizing exploration of agribusiness and applied economics.
- Advised incoming students and students from regional campuses
- Collaborated in planning and implementing Experience Ohio State for a Day to enhance prospective student engagement.
- Coordinated all aspects of departmental scholarship program, including application review and award distribution.
- Developed individualized academic plans to address diverse student needs and improve retention rates.
- Delivered comprehensive academic advising and scheduling support during orientation to enhance student integration within College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
- Advised students on academic policies, degree requirements, and course selection to enhance educational outcomes.
Undergraduate Program Manager/Graduate Program Manager
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
06.2021 - 11.2021
- Facilitated program operations and student engagement initiatives as interim undergraduate program manager.
- Achieved timely completion of autumn 2022 schedule. Fostered strong communication among faculty members. Contributed to successful outcomes of two search committees. Effectively hired and supervised four student assistants. Enhanced department website with current content.
- Served as the Interim Graduate Program Manager
- Enhanced student academic success by providing support to master's and PhD candidates. Strengthened faculty-candidate relations by serving as a liaison during the job market process. Contributed to the effective training of the new graduate program manager, improving program operations.
Pet Protocol Committee
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
05.2018 - 01.2020
- Coordinated with committee members to design and implement pet ownership protocols for live-on staff, ensuring compliance with university policies.
Residence Hall Director
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
07.2017 - 01.2020
- Advocated for residents' needs related to social, educational, and wellness issues to enhance community support.
- Directed and supported resident assistants and student desk manager through training and evaluation processes to foster a high-performing team.
- Oversaw budgeting and allocation of programming funds to ensure effective resource utilization.
- Conducted comprehensive residence life orientation programs to enhance student integration and community engagement three times weekly during summer.
- Delivered immediate support and intervention for residents in crisis situations, ensuring safety and well-being through a 24-hour on-call rotation.
- Evaluated and addressed student conduct issues, applying restorative justice principles and educational sanctions to encourage personal growth.
- Co-developed and delivered curriculum for resident advisor education class to enhance leadership skills among participants.
Academic Initiatives Committee
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
09.2018 - 05.2019
- Served as Committee Chair Elect (2017-18), currently serving as chair (2018-2019)
- Coordinate and engage with the 2.5 Initiative, which utilizes Residence Life Staff to connect students who are struggling academically to campus resources
- Developed and planned OSU’s annual Faculty & Staff Programming Celebration event
Program Coordinator, Nursing & Wellness Learning Community
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
07.2018 - 01.2019
- Developed and facilitated educational curriculum and programming opportunities aimed at fostering student engagement and growth.
- Represented the learning community by presenting to incoming students and participating in events for future students
- Coordinated logistics and activities for annual professional and cultural development trip to Cleveland Clinic, fostering professional growth and cultural awareness.
- Developed programs that enabled students to engage with medical professionals, fostering valuable industry connections and increasing employability.
- Facilitated program activities and maintained operational continuity from August 2018 to February 2019 while serving as the sole program coordinator.
Program Coordinator, Global Business Learning Community
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
06.2017 - 06.2018
- Developed comprehensive curriculum and programming opportunities that promote active student participation and skill enhancement.
- Developed and executed comprehensive itinerary for annual professional and cultural development trip to Toronto, emphasizing team collaboration and cultural enrichment.
- Planned and executed events designed to provide students with insights from internationally recognized professionals.
Student Conduct and Restorative Justice Facilitator
University of Denver
Denver, CO
08.2016 - 06.2017
- Served as a representative on student accountability boards to hear and provide perspective on elevated conduct cases
- Organized and facilitated Restorative Justice Conferences by connecting with faculty, staff, and community partners, utilizing active listening skills, and coordinating meeting logistics
- Followed up with students participating in the Restorative Justice process to monitor their development and the completion of their outcomes
Graduate Resident Director
Johnson-McFarlane Hall, University of Denver
Denver, CO
07.2015 - 06.2017
- Provided crisis response and intervention for 2400+ residents through a 24-hour on-call rotation system
- Co-supervised, trained, motivated, evaluated, and developed staff of 18 Resident Assistants
- Assisted and guided resident assistants in developing and implementing needs-based development for their communities
- Advised and consulted with residents regarding social, educational, and wellness concerns and initiated referrals
- Created and developed current advising requirement model for graduate housing staff
- Created, developed, and lead training sessions for Resident Assistants on multiple related topics and themes
- Served as a conduct officer for 400+ students, adjudicating discipline cases through educational sanctioning and restorative justice
ACUHO-I Pre-College Program Coordinator
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
Providence, RI
06.2016 - 08.2016
- Facilitated development and execution of a robust training program in partnership with professional staff to enhance skills of precollege resident directors, resident advisors, and hall monitors.
- Managed three resident directors, facilitating biweekly discussions to support their career progression and personal well-being.
- Collaborated with students facing challenges to ensure effective support and resources were provided.
- Analyzed and organized data pertaining to student demographics in gender-inclusive housing to enhance inclusivity initiatives.
- Oversaw budgeting and allocation of programming funds to ensure effective resource utilization.
- Coordinated other operational procedures such as room changes, room condition reports, health and safety inspections, opening and closing, damage billing, and maintenance needs
- Participated in a rotating system of nighttime and weekend duty coverage for the campus
- Facilitated resolution of intermediate level conduct cases to uphold institutional standards and compliance.
Education
Master of Arts - Higher Education, Student Affairs
University of Denver, Morgridge College of Education
Denver01-2017
Bachelor of Science - Individualized Program, Education, Psychology
Bowling Green State University, College of Education
Bowling Green, OH01-2015
Skills
- FERPA and Title IX compliance expertise
- Expert in inclusive hiring practices, trained annually for 6 years
- Microsoft Outlook/Bookings, OnCourse, Canvas/Carmen, Excel, MS Word Processing, Canva, Maxient, Blackboard, StarRez, and other software
Timeline
College of Social Work Graduate Academic Advisor
The Ohio State University
02.2025 - 06.2026
Undergraduate Program Manager/Graduate Program Manager
The Ohio State University
06.2021 - 11.2021
Agribusiness and Applied Economics Undergraduate Academic Advisor
The Ohio State University
01.2020 - 02.2025
Academic Initiatives Committee
The Ohio State University
09.2018 - 05.2019
Program Coordinator, Nursing & Wellness Learning Community
The Ohio State University
07.2018 - 01.2019
Pet Protocol Committee
The Ohio State University
05.2018 - 01.2020
Residence Hall Director
The Ohio State University
07.2017 - 01.2020
Program Coordinator, Global Business Learning Community
The Ohio State University
06.2017 - 06.2018
Student Conduct and Restorative Justice Facilitator
University of Denver
08.2016 - 06.2017
ACUHO-I Pre-College Program Coordinator
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
06.2016 - 08.2016
Graduate Resident Director
Johnson-McFarlane Hall, University of Denver
07.2015 - 06.2017
Master of Arts - Higher Education, Student Affairs
University of Denver, Morgridge College of Education
Bachelor of Science - Individualized Program, Education, Psychology
Bowling Green State University, College of Education