LAQUINTA M. VARGAS
Houston,USA
Summary
I am a highly motivated business professional with over 15 years of proven success in driving results. My key strength lies in student retention, both within the classroom and in academic advising. I am known for my creative approach and my ability to consistently deliver solutions. As an experienced entrepreneur, I have a solid history of building successful businesses from the ground up, utilizing strategic and scalable approaches. I have a keen ability to identify and capitalize on new opportunities. My leadership experience includes strategic planning, problem-solving, and building effective teams. I also have a strong track record of successfully recruiting and training staff to meet customer and business demands.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Full-Time Temporary Instructor- Business Management
01.2025 - Current
- Demonstrates skill and/or knowledge in teaching discipline.
- Make continuous efforts to improve the quality of instruction by reviewing and utilizing innovative methodologies, techniques, and delivery methods.
- Focus on student retention by building a quality teaching culture of success for all students.
- Develops and uses a syllabus for each course or laboratory within college, discipline, and departmental guidelines and submits one copy to the department chair.
- Plan, develop, and use a variety of teaching methods and materials that assist students in meeting course objectives, and which are appropriate for students with differing educational and experiential backgrounds and learning styles.
- Teach in the modalities of face-to-face, hybrid, online (synchronous or asynchronous), or any combination of modalities.
- Submit all grades, attendance rosters, or any other required items at the stipulated time.
- Evaluate students to measure their progress toward achievement of stated course objectives and inform them of their progress in the course in a timely manner.
- Demonstrates competence and interest in the use of technology in the classroom and willingness to explore new instructional methodologies.
- Maintain professional relationships with students, colleagues, and the community.
- Provides access to students through posted office hours, electronic communication, and other appropriate methods.
- Provides advice and assistance to students regarding instructional or program-specific issues.
- Make presentations on a particular academic field or program - its subject matter, objectives, opportunities for further study (transfer opportunities), and opportunities for work (co-ops, part-time, work-study) and careers, special clubs, and activities available, support services, scholarships, etc.
- Keep pace with developments in the discipline.
- Learn and apply technologies that support student learning.
- Adheres to all policies and procedures of the institution.
- Assist in the articulation of courses and programs with secondary and post-secondary institutions
- Participate in the evaluation process for self, department, and college.
Childcare Business Owner
01.2022 - Current
- Led startup and opening of business and provided business development, creation of operational procedures and workflow planning.
- Managing directors and staff to ensure day-to-day operations are being met.
- Train employees on Texas Childcare Regulations Rules and Regulations
- Oversee daily company finances including daily billing.
- Recruiter
- Lead Human Resource representatives.
- Liaison with suppliers
- Oversee physical facilities.
- Created a handmade Curriculum based on the interest of the child and led by teacher guided lesson plans.
- Created a successful workflow for employees to ensure a high-quality childcare center.
- Promote business in the local community and on platforms to maximize brand identity and generate revenue.
- Set pricing structures according to market analytics and emerging trends.
- Oversaw staff hiring, initiating new training and scheduled processes to streamline operations.
- Conduct monthly required training.
- Assist families with various training and resources.
Adjunct Instructor- Business Management
01.2019 - Current
- Demonstrates skill and/or knowledge in teaching discipline.
- Makes continuous efforts to improve the quality of instruction by reviewing and utilizing innovative methodologies, techniques, and delivery methods.
- Focus on student retention by building a quality teaching culture of success for all students.
- Develops and uses a syllabus for each course or laboratory within college, discipline, and departmental guidelines and submits one copy to the department chair.
- Plan, develop, and use a variety of teaching methods and materials that assist students in meeting course objectives, and which are appropriate for students with differing educational and experiential backgrounds and learning styles.
- Evaluate students to measure their progress toward achievement of stated course objectives and inform them of their progress in the course in a timely manner.
- Demonstrates competence and interest in the use of technology in the classroom and willingness to explore new instructional methodologies.
- Maintain professional relationships with students, colleagues, and the community.
- Provides access to students through posted office hours, electronic communication, and other appropriate methods.
- Provides advice and assistance to students regarding instructional or program-specific issues.
- Make presentations on a particular academic field or program - its subject matter, objectives, opportunities for further study (transfer opportunities), and opportunities for work (co-ops, part-time, work-study) and careers, special clubs, and activities available, support services, scholarships, etc.
- Keep pace with developments in the discipline.
- Learn and apply technologies that support student learning.
- Adheres to all policies and procedures of the institution.
- Keeps pace with developments in the discipline.
- Learn and apply innovative technologies that support student learning and
- Participate in the evaluation process for self, department, and college.
Texas Life Insurance Agent
01.2019 - Current
- Comply with Texas insurance standards and regulations.
- Present and sell insurance policies to new and existing clients
- Develop and calculate suitable plans based on clients' needs.
- Resolve client inquiries and complaints
- Enhanced brand reputation by consistently providing exceptional customer service and fostering positive relationships with clients.
- Provided coverage option information to assist clients in protecting assets.
- Analyzed feedback to identify areas for improvement and enhance customer experiences.
- Cultivated customer relationships to provide customized life insurance solutions tailored to individual needs.
- Maintained ambitious standards of customer service by building relationships with clients.
- Negotiated with customers and insurance companies to secure favorable policy terms.
- Crafted clear, informative reports to explain life insurance policy features and benefits.
- Increased client satisfaction by providing personalized and knowledgeable life insurance consultations.
- Retained up-to-date industry knowledge for accurate, well-informed customer interactions.
Adjunct Instructor- Banking and Finance
01.2017 - Current
- Demonstrates skill and/or knowledge in teaching discipline.
- Makes continuous efforts to improve the quality of instruction by reviewing and utilizing innovative methodologies, techniques, and delivery methods.
- Develops and uses a syllabus for each course or laboratory within college, discipline, and departmental guidelines and submits one copy to the department chair.
- Plan, develop, and use a variety of teaching methods and materials that assist students in meeting course objectives, and which are appropriate for students with differing educational and experiential backgrounds and learning styles.
- Evaluate students to measure their progress toward achievement of stated course objectives and inform them of their progress in the course in a timely manner.
- Demonstrates competence and interest in the use of technology in the classroom and willingness to explore new instructional methodologies.
- Maintain professional relationships with students, colleagues, and the community.
- Provides access to students through posted office hours, electronic communication, and other appropriate methods.
- Provides advice and assistance to students regarding instructional or program-specific issues.
- Make presentations on a particular academic field or program - its subject matter, objectives, opportunities for further study (transfer opportunities), and opportunities for work (co-ops, part-time, work-study) and careers, special clubs, and activities available, support services, scholarships, etc.
- Keep pace with developments in the discipline.
- Learn and apply technologies that support student learning.
- Adheres to all policies and procedures of the institution.
- Keeps pace with developments in the discipline.
- Learn and apply innovative technologies that support student learning and
- Participates in the evaluation process for self, department, and college.
Academic Advisor
Houston Community College
01.2013 - 01.2024
- Assist with the teaching pre-enrollment session on a weekly basis.
- Educate students of the steps necessary to complete certificate and degree program requirements through degree planning.
- Teach students the skills to self-navigate to degree completion utilizing campus information, student online system, and campus resources.
- Assist in retention activities of college including Early-Alert and as team members within the Success Center.
- Advise students of appropriate course load, workload, prerequisites and co-requisites.
- Assist faculty with the promotion of special programs and opportunities such as learning
- Interpreted admissions assessment scores and advise students of appropriate placement and coursework.
- Establish and maintain interdepartmental relationships with all student services and instructional programs.
- Assist with recruitment activities to include arranging on-site college visits for parents and students.
- Conduct general phone advice for students who can’t come in the office.
- Inform students of procedures such as withdrawals, repeating course work and graduation.
- Provide student transfer information to universities to include joint admissions.
- Assist with training new advisors about policies and procedures.
Financial Aid Assistant/ Call Center Representative
Houston Community College
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Serve as the primary customer service representative to promote and ensure student access and success while promoting customer satisfaction
- Trained new call center employees about financial aid policies and procedures.
- Analyzed applicants’ documents to expedite the Financial Aid process.
- Work with personnel in other departments within the college and the system to review and follow up on problems involving financial aid.
- Performed document tracking to better serve students; collects, manages, and maintains sensitive records (i.e., financial statements, college records, medical records, citizenship documents, divorce decrees, etc.)
- Analyze and interpret federal, state and institutional regulations to assist students with the application for Federal, State and Institutional funds.
- Communicated orally and in writing with students to ensure accuracy and completeness of application in order to meet appropriate
- Timelines for registration and payment of fees.
- Transmitted, electronically, student financial aid applications and needed updates (EDE).
- Provided guidance and assistance for students who were interested in making online FAFSA applications.
- Enter data into PeopleSoft system accurately in accordance to office policies and procedures.
- Handling difficult customers professionally and with respect.
Branch Office Teller
Harris County Tax Office
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Maintained up-to-date records for activity related cash transactions.
- Assisted with reconciling bank deposits including verification of cashier’s check out and other determination of reconciling items.
- Handled hefty sum of cash (10,000-20,00000) daily and balanced money in payment of fees daily.
- Assisted daily with helping tellers when out of balance.
- Conducted daily verification of bank deposit amounts to deposit slips.
- Processed daily bank transfers, as necessary.
- Prepared daily and weekly cutoff reports for Disbursements and Reporting.
- Verified that all deposit slips, debit slips, adjustments and any other miscellaneous documents are given to Account Analysis and
- Reconciliation for data entry into cashbook.
- Helped to by assisting with Returned Items; review and balance daily returned checks to bank’s system, research illegible checks, and
- Make copies of all documents.
- Reversed payments in ACT for Property Tax returned items and generate reports.
- Printed change order requests, place daily change orders for Tax Office Branch Offices, and sent confirmation emails.
- Answered incoming customer calls (returned items, credit cards/e-Checks, general information).
- Interacted with other Tax Office Departments to resolve any outstanding items.
- Interacted with personnel to resolve any outstanding items.
- Typed letters and other correspondence as needed.
Business Manager
Superior Supply and Steel
01.2006 - 01.2009
- Managed day to day business operations for the organization
- Managed the activities of workers; hire, train and evaluate new employees; and ensure that financial goals are met
- Perform human resource activities such as time and labor, benefits and compensation along with assist with annual performance reviews
- Attend business meeting with other managers in the trucking industries regarding partnerships
- Perform monthly coaching for employees who fail to meet the company’s performance requirements, provide feedback to staff that can help employees improve their work
- Handle all accounting and purchase orders for the department
- Assist and identify new opportunities for growth in the current prospective market
- Establish the company’s monthly goals, objective and team motivation activities
- Conduct training on new and old policy and procedures and regulations
- Make sure that the company has sufficient resources such as personnel, material and equipment
- Development a comprehensive company budget and perform daily purchase orders for staff
Customer Service Representative – Lead Teller
Bank One
01.2002 - 01.2006
- Handled large sums of cash daily. (60, 0000-100,000)
- Assisted with training new tellers for their first 6 weeks (about 1 and a half months) on the floor.
- Performed surprise monthly audits on each teller.
- Thoroughly examined customers’ information to prevent identifying thieves.
- Provided full-service banking by processing all financial transactions accurately
- Conferred with customers to provide guidance about products and services, take orders or cancel accounts, or obtain details for complaints.
- Provided full-service banking by processing all financial transactions accurately.
- Utilized knowledge of available bank products and services to expand client relationships and increase client base.
- Expanded customer base by referring bank products and services.
- Performed all duties in compliance with laws, regulations and bank policies and procedures.
- Maintained confidentiality of bank records and client information.
- Performed vault teller duties twice a day.
- Processed customer transactions within established guidelines.
- Identified and made sales referrals.
- Received and processed deposits.
- Cashed checks and other negotiable instruments for clients daily.
- Examined documents for endorsements and negotiability
- Processed transfers between accounts.
- Sold traveler’s checks, official checks, and money orders.
- Processed credit card cash advances.
- Detected and resolved discrepancies promptly.
- Followed Teller procedures consistently.
Education
Master of Science - Leadership
Belhaven University
Jackson, Mississippi04.2019
Bachelor of Science - General Studies (with emphasis in Sociology)
Texas Southern University
Houston, TX12.2013
Skills
- PeopleSoft
- Teller Express
- Canvas
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Banner
- Microsoft Word
- Outlook
OVERVIEW
- Adjunct Instructor
- Student Retention Professional
- Temporary Full-Time Instructor
- Business Student Advisor
- Professional Development Instructor
- Good organizational and planning skills
- Business Planning Skills
- Excellent Interpersonal and communication skills
- Computer Literacy
- Time Management Skills
- Team Player in a diverse environment
- Research Abilities
- StartUp Business Coach
- Business and Personal Finance Coach
Timeline
Full-Time Temporary Instructor- Business Management
01.2025 - Current
Childcare Business Owner
01.2022 - Current
Adjunct Instructor- Business Management
01.2019 - Current
Texas Life Insurance Agent
01.2019 - Current
Adjunct Instructor- Banking and Finance
01.2017 - Current
Academic Advisor
Houston Community College
01.2013 - 01.2024
Financial Aid Assistant/ Call Center Representative
Houston Community College
01.2011 - 01.2013
Branch Office Teller
Harris County Tax Office
01.2009 - 01.2011
Business Manager
Superior Supply and Steel
01.2006 - 01.2009
Customer Service Representative – Lead Teller
Bank One
01.2002 - 01.2006
Bachelor of Science - General Studies (with emphasis in Sociology)
Texas Southern University
Master of Science - Leadership
Belhaven University