Kelly L. Sonnanstine
Higher Education Professional
Garland,TX
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Student Life Coordinator
Dallas College Richland
01.2020 - 10.2025
- Coordinated student engagement initiatives to enhance campus community involvement.
- Developed and implemented programs promoting student well-being and academic success.
- Facilitated workshops and information sessions on resources available to students.
- Collaborated with faculty and staff to create inclusive environments for diverse student populations.
- Developed engaging student Developed and implemented engaging student programs and workshops that strengthened campus community, leadership, and collaboration.
- Designed and launched the college's first online, self-paced Student Leadership Institute, enrolling 800+ students with a 60% completion rate.
- Digitized the student club/organization registration process—achieved zero late submissions for 90+ groups in Fall 2025.
- Oversaw college-wide SGA and club budgets, including SAFAC funding, allocation requests, and financial documentation.
- Served as Lead Advisor for the Dallas College-wide Student Government Associations; directly advised Richland Campus and supported Brookhaven Campus initiatives.
- Led logistics for Community College Day at the Capitol (2017–2025), coordinating travel, training, and legislative outreach for 100+ student participants biannually.
- Created comprehensive orientation and training programs for Registered Student Organizations, increasing participation by 110% post-pandemic and Dallas College merge.
- Streamlined event planning and approval workflows, improving efficiency while maintaining high-quality, innovative programming.
- Collaborated with faculty, staff, and students to enhance recruitment, engagement, and retention across campus and district initiatives.
- Consulted with regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with institutional and student development standards.
- Established partnerships with local businesses and organizations to expand resources and experiential learning opportunities for students.
- Promoted wellness and academic success through events emphasizing stress management, health, and personal development.
- Recruited and trained new Student Life staff, fostering a supportive, student-centered team culture.
Richland College Coordinator of New Student Orientation
Office of Student Life Main Campus
06.2012 - 01.2020
- Organize, manage, and facilitate all aspects of New Student Orientation including special populations (athletics and international students)
- Manage budget for New Student Orientation
- Organize and implement the Orientation Mentorship Program
- Manage Student Orientation Leaders including hiring, training, curriculum development
- Worked with students on their MBTI, Strengths, and Franklin Covey Management
- Manages student workers including daily tasks and scheduling
- Assist with daily operation of the Office of Student Life functions
- Organizes ASK ME tables at the start of each semester including recruiting faculty volunteers
- Assists with programming and events facilitated through the Office of Student Life
- Coordinates with other campuses of Dallas College in the creation of a Student Leadership Institute
- Mentors students through various club sponsorship
- Served on multiple hiring committees
- Serves as ATIXA Certified Title IX Investigator for both main and Garland campuses
- Serves as Safezone Ally and Ally Trainer
- Serve as Advisor for Student Government Association, Student Ambassadors, and Richland Alumni Street Team
- Served as interim Director during hiring transition
- Serve on the following transition committees
- Richland Campus Office of Student Life
Success Center Coordinator/Instructor
Southwest Florida College Academic, Fort Myers/ Bonita Springs Campus
01.2009 - 08.2011
- Developed course materials based on adult learning styles to offer students successful completion of the course and encourage engagement
- Assessed student mastery of academic skills and competencies
- Provided guidance to student through coordinating and organizing their college experience
- Coordinated and facilitated student success through Academic Success Center
- Wrote weekly and quarterly reports detailing the accomplishments and challenges of the Academic Success Center on the Bonita Springs Campus including recommendations for addressing challenges
- Classes taught
- MAN 3151 Organizational Behavior - School of Business
- MAN 4046 Leadership and Team Development - School of Business
- SLS 1501 College Success - Freshman Studies Department, required course
- MAT 1009 College Preparatory Math - Freshman Studies Department
- ENC 0021 College Preparatory Writing - Freshman Studies Department
- Assessed learning needs of individual students and develops a plan of instruction based on assessment results
- Provided group and individual learning activities for students in order to improve academic performance and student retention, such as supplemental instruction study sessions
- Conducted pre-matriculation testing for enrolling students, enrollment verification and orientation for new students, and online orientation for new online students
- Maintained Learning Resource Center materials through Library World Catalog system
- Organized and facilitates student activities on campus including student appreciation week, student orientation, and various weekly activities
- Organized and facilitates student participation and support in off campus events such as the MS Ride, Toys for Tots, and Support for the Troops supply drive
- Planned and executes student orientation for the Bonita Springs Learning Site on a quarterly basis
- Continuously maintained an above average review from students
- Recruited and managed adjunct faculty for the Freshman Studies program on the Bonita Learning Site.
Community Representative
American Cancer Society
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive plan providing Society related programs with local college and high school students throughout South Gulf Coast Area including Coaches VS Cancer, Colleges Against Cancer, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and Relay For Life that promoted American Cancer Society mission and the promotion of student well-being and cultural awareness
- Served as a liaison between Society, student organizations, and external community representatives to evaluate and expand resources and services to enhance Society mission
- Provided organization, coordination, strategic planning and field support for community organization activities through the effective management and growth of volunteer resources
- Employed collaborative effort with area volunteers in designing and facilitating training programs for area Relay For Life volunteers and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event volunteers with in excess of 300 people in attendance
- Field assistance for 9 Lee County Relay For Life events in 2008 fiscal year that raised over $750,000 with more than 10,000 participants
- Staff Lead: Coaches VS Cancer, Relay For Life of Pine Island, Relay For Life of Florida Gulf Coast University, Relay For Life of Sanibel/Captiva
- Developed and oversaw monthly and annual budgets for events including Relay For Life and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
- Recruited, trained, empowered, and guided community volunteer committees to effectively achieve cancer control, income development, advocacy and priority special event goals
- Identified and developed standards and “best practices” for volunteer management, including job descriptions, recruitment strategies and recognition and award programs.
Activity Director
Sun Communities, Indian Creek RV Resort Community
10.2005 - 02.2007
- Developed and oversaw monthly and annual budgets of events for 1500+ home community
- Planned, managed, marketed and supervised events and activities year round for 1500+ home community
- Produced a calendar of events for the following calendar year with budget expectations
- Hired, trained and supervised a department of 10 employees and 50+ activity volunteers to be sure best practices were established and followed in an effort to exceed goals
- Plan, manage, and supervise all events and activities for 1500+ home community
- Produce a calendar of events for the following calendar season with budget expectations
- Coordinate events and activities with appropriate vendors
- Maintain balance sheets for each activity showing income, expenses, attendance, & vendors
- Manage accounts with outside vendors
- Maintain accurate and up to date office and activity supplies
- Prepare, edit, and distribute weekly newsletter
- Organize fund-raising activities and events to support the Activity Department
Graphics Specialist
Lee County Library Services
01.2002 - 01.2003
- Managed and provided guidance for graphic design department volunteers and interns for 11 branches of county library system
- Created all publicity materials and rotating library displays for 11 county library branches
- Preparation and execution of annual reading festival that featured nationally acclaimed authors and had over 10,000 people in attendance
- Coordinated and produced monthly calendar of events for distribution throughout library system
- Built and maintained Library System community of the county webpage, ensured posted information was timely, accurate and reflective of current standards, best practices and policies
Technical Specialist
Florida Gulf Coast University Library Services
Books, Million Area Special Services Manager
01.1998 - 01.2002
Area Promotions Manager
Cobb Theatres SWF
01.1996 - 01.1998
Education
Ed. D - Leadership in Higher Education
American College of Education
Indianapolis, IN 09.2025 - Current
Master’s - Professional Studies – Leadership
Hodges University
Master’s - Public Administration
Hodges University
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
Newberry College
Skills
- Extensive work recruiting and managing volunteers
- Public speaking
- Critical thinking
- Time Management
- Multi-tasking
- Organizing large (attendance 5,000 ) and small scale (attendance 10-15) events
- Excellent creativity
- Interpersonal written and spoken communication
- Motivation of self and others
- Graphic design
- SLR & digital photography techniques
- Knowledge of computer programs & databases including:
- CampusVue system
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Blackboard, Econnect
- HTML
- WordPress
- Adobe Creative suite (extensive use of Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro)
- Compass, TSIA, and TEPL Testing
- Banner and Colleague/Datatel computer system
- Concur Travel Program
- Coursera
- Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Cloud
- Student Mentoring
- Campus Tours
- Campus Safety
- Registration Support
- Promotion and Advertising
- Higher Education
Affiliations
- League of Women Voters of Richardson
- Texas Association of College and University Student Personnel Administrators (TACUSPA) General Member 2016
- Association for Orientation, Transition, and Retention in Higher Education (NODA) General Member 2012-Present
- Region 4 Conference Committee – Banquets Chair 2017
- Annual Conference Peer Reviewer Educational Sessions 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
- Association for Title IX Administrators (ATIXA) 2015-Present Member, Certified Investigator & Coordinator
- National Association of Professional Women (NAPW) Member 2011 – Present
- Franklin Covey Training Solutions Certified trainer 2016 - Present
- Alpha Xi Delta Women's Fraternity Alumni Member 1992 - Present
- American Cancer Society - Lee County Board of Directors
- Kiwanis Club - Gateway to the Islands Chapter - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Timeline
Ed. D - Leadership in Higher Education
American College of Education
09.2025 - Current
Student Life Coordinator
Dallas College Richland
01.2020 - 10.2025
Richland College Coordinator of New Student Orientation
Office of Student Life Main Campus
06.2012 - 01.2020
Success Center Coordinator/Instructor
Southwest Florida College Academic, Fort Myers/ Bonita Springs Campus
01.2009 - 08.2011
Community Representative
American Cancer Society
01.2007 - 01.2008
Activity Director
Sun Communities, Indian Creek RV Resort Community
10.2005 - 02.2007
Graphics Specialist
Lee County Library Services
01.2002 - 01.2003
Books, Million Area Special Services Manager
01.1998 - 01.2002
Area Promotions Manager
Cobb Theatres SWF
01.1996 - 01.1998
Master’s - Professional Studies – Leadership
Hodges University
Master’s - Public Administration
Hodges University
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
Newberry College
Technical Specialist
Florida Gulf Coast University Library Services