Margo Smith
Woodbridge,CT
Summary
Strong relationship builder who leads and influences others, and values relationships. Strives to help people achieve their personal best. Communicates effectively, has strong interpersonal skills, and appreciates/embraces diversity. Creative, strategic problem solver who thinks critically. Innovative and pays attention to the big picture. Focused, self-disciplined and organized. Successful individual worker and enthusiastic team player. Enjoys counseling students and life coaching. Passionate about traveling, counseling, and educating.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Director of Financial Aid
Fairfield University
03.2021 - Current
- Responsible for an assigned group of students to guide through the financial aid process, entailing phone calls, emails, meetings, and events
- Share responsibility for the verification process of selected financial aid applications, based on the Department of Education’s strict regulations
- Proficient in the Federal Student Aid policies and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application
- Update the financial aid system with necessary changes, recalculate awards, and send revised award letters or document requests
- Responsible for awarding roughly 300 endowed scholarships, based on specific sets of criteria, in collaboration with several offices on campus
- Proficient in Enrollment Management systems Ellucian Banner, Slate, and PowerFAIDS and student services system Blackboard.
Part-Time Admissions Reader
Fairfield University
01.2024 - Current
- Assist the Undergraduate Office of Admissions with reading admissions applications
- Manage time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Pay attention to detail while reviewing and rating applications.
Registrar / College & School Counselor
St. Joseph High School
03.2020 - 03.2021
- Maintained student records through Rediker
- Processed, calculated and reviewed quarterly grades and GPAs, honor rolls, and failure lists
- Builder of the master school schedule for all students and faculty
- Processed and distributed at-risk student lists to Administration
- Processed transcript requests and verification requests from colleges, employers and alumni
- Assisted parents and students, in collaboration with our Technology Coordinator, with registration and utilization of Plus Portals, where they can view grades and missing assignments
- Worked closely with our Bursar to coordinate restriction lists for transcript releases
- Created and maintained a budget
- Counseled a caseload of students during their college and financial aid processes, which included writing recommendation letters, sending transcripts to schools, assist in completing their college and financial aid applications, assist with creating lists of colleges based on their interests and qualifications, and provide any additional guidance or counseling students may need
- Proficient in the systems Rediker, Scoir, and Plus Portals.
Dean of Student Life
St. Joseph High School
08.2018 - 03.2020
- Oversaw all student discipline, attendance, safety drills, and a positive student life experience for 800+ students
- Wrote and enforced rules of the Parent-Student Handbook and advised faculty on student behavior solutions
- Collaborated with the Counseling office for various situations with students, which included creating the Freshmen Advisory Program to provide an additional source of support for students on campus.
- Collaborated with the Social Worker to assist students in crisis
- Investigated and disciplined in cases of misbehavior, troubles with the law, or bullying by our students
Associate Director of Graduate Admissions
Sacred Heart University
12.2017 - 08.2018
- Responsible for recruiting graduate students for the Masters of Speech-Language Pathology and Masters of Physician Assistant Studies programs
- Built relationships with the applicants and faculty members to provide excellent customer service, and serve as the liaison between applicants and program faculty
- Assisted students with their applications to the programs
- Yielded inquiries about the programs’ prerequisites, curriculum, and requirements for the application process
- Reviewed applications and sent qualified applicants to faculty for final review
- Attended and interviewed students on interview days with program faculty
- Attended yield events for all graduate programs
- Attended annual NAGAP conference in April 2018.
Teacher
Achievement First Amistad High School
07.2017 - 12.2017
- Taught all 140+ juniors the college and financial aid processes in the college readiness course titled “Foundations of Leadership”
- Wrote weekly lesson plans, created class materials, taught daily lessons, attended weekly professional development sessions and performed various other tasks connected to my teaching role.
Director of College Counseling
Cristo Rey Columbus High School
07.2015 - 06.2017
- Responsible for creating and implementing a comprehensive, four-year college counseling program for students and families
- Assisted the school’s first graduating class with their college applications and financial aid processes; my students achieved 100% college acceptance
- Hosted college information and financial aid sessions for juniors and seniors
- Organized and hosted over one hundred college campus representatives for visits with students
- Sat on the NACAC Columbus Planning Committee
- Wrote recommendations, sent hundreds of transcripts and conducted a college preparation class for juniors and seniors
- College counselor for 300+ students, which often entailed emotional counseling in collaboration with our social worker, as well as college and academic counseling.
Education
Master of Education in Counseling -
Providence College
Providence, RI05.2015
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work -
Providence College
Providence, RI05.2013
Skills
- Higher Education Knowledge
- Financial aid expertise
- Student Outreach
- Student Guidance
- Financial Aid Applications
- Federal Student Aid policies
- FAFSA requirements
- Admissions oversight
Timeline
Part-Time Admissions Reader
Fairfield University
01.2024 - Current
Assistant Director of Financial Aid
Fairfield University
03.2021 - Current
Registrar / College & School Counselor
St. Joseph High School
03.2020 - 03.2021
Dean of Student Life
St. Joseph High School
08.2018 - 03.2020
Associate Director of Graduate Admissions
Sacred Heart University
12.2017 - 08.2018
Teacher
Achievement First Amistad High School
07.2017 - 12.2017
Director of College Counseling
Cristo Rey Columbus High School
07.2015 - 06.2017
Master of Education in Counseling -
Providence College
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work -
Providence College