Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Additional Information
Timeline
Generic

Maria Kulka

Jones

Summary

Accomplished Executive Director of Enrollment Management and Educational Partnerships at Southwestern Michigan College, adept in college recruitment strategies and fostering community partnerships. Proven leadership in staff development and student engagement, with a talent for event planning and effective communication.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience

Work History

Exec. Dir. of Enrollment Mgmt. & Ed Partnerships

Southwestern Michigan College
01.2024 - Current
  • Developed relationships with guidance counselors and principals from feeder schools, enhancing the institution''s reputation within the education community.
  • Regularly reviewed and refined recruitment strategies to respond to changes in demographics, economic conditions, or competitive landscapes.
  • Analyzed enrollment data to identify trends and inform decision-making processes for strategic planning purposes.
  • Developed and maintained a comprehensive database of prospective students, enhancing recruitment strategies.
  • Collaborated with marketing teams on promotional materials, ensuring accuracy in messaging about the institution''s programs and services.
  • Established partnerships with local schools and community organizations to increase visibility and attract potential applicants.
  • Managed budgets related to recruitment efforts, maximizing resources available for optimal impact in attracting quality candidates.
  • Coordinated campus tours and open house events, showcasing the institution''s offerings to prospective students and their families.
  • Increased awareness of dual enrollment opportunities through targeted outreach efforts within local communities.
  • Served as a knowledgeable resource for both high school and college administrators, fostering collaboration and supporting the ongoing success of dual enrollment initiatives.

Educational Talent Search Director

Southwestern Michigan College
09.2016 - 01.2023
  • Met all 5 program objectives during time as Director and received 14/14 Prior Experience Points.
  • Successfully wrote for renewal of ETS Grant 2021-26.
  • Received high marks from federal grant readers and earned additional points on Competitive Preference Priorities section.
  • Managed annual budget of $365,010.
  • Designed educational programs with emphasis on learning through active and inquiry-based exploration.
  • Planned and implemented staff development and recommended in-service training programs to enhance knowledge and skills.
  • Developed partnerships with parents, school staff and wider community to build awareness, increase support and share resources.
  • Designed assessments and surveys to monitor ETS student needs.
  • Maintained program files, records, databases and federal government systems to gather data and prepare and submit Annual Performance Report.
  • Organized and allocated resources required to meet needs of 750 ETS Students.

Educational Talent Search Tutor-Mentor Coor./Advisor

Southwestern Michigan College
09.2016 - 11.2018
  • Established in-school tutor/mentor program at Cassopolis, Volinia and Dowagiac Public Schools.
  • Planned/Organized several ETS Camps, including Entrepreneurship Camp and Agricultural Science Camp.
  • Put in place speaker series at Dowagiac Middle School.
  • Scheduled weekly meetings with ETS Students; workshops centered around career and college readiness.
  • Assisted students in college enrollment process.
  • In charge of handling over 300 student files and entering data into Blumen Database.

Migrant/ELL Aide

Dowagiac Middle School
09.2015 - 06.2016
  • Completed PFS (Priority for Service) sheets using student records and PowerSchool.
  • Scheduled and administered state WIDA test for over 50 ELL students.
  • Attended IEP meetings in relationship to Migrant/ELL program.
  • Provided supplementary materials/manipulatives to aid in student learning.

Long-Term Substitute English Teacher

Berrien Springs Middle School
12.2014 - 06.2015
  • Maintained day-to-day classroom management and discipline to promote learning initiatives.
  • Communicated with parents and provided feedback on student performance during parent-teacher conferences.
  • Incorporated music and short film into classroom dynamic in order to help students with grammar and plot structure.
  • Repeatedly requested as substitute teacher by teachers based on excellent past referrals and trusted performance.

Counselor/Instructor Assistant

Shay Elementary School (The Harborage)
12.2013 - 10.2014
  • Offered job position of Director/Lead Instructor.
  • Planned and organized First Annual Harborage Mud Run.
  • Put in order various activities for students which included: swimming lessons for Harbor Beach Days, community vegetable garden, environmental awareness days with local Odawa Indian Tribe, disc golf lessons, tennis lessons, etc.

Education

Master of Arts - School Counseling

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI
06.2026

Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI
05.2013

Skills

  • Federal Grant Management
  • Budget Management
  • Admissions Expertise
  • Recruitment Experience
  • Academic Advising
  • Effective Communication
  • Building Community Partnerships
  • Technical Writing Skills
  • Data Retrieval and Input
  • Staff Development
  • Coaching Cross Country
  • Event Planning

Additional Information

Management Skills for Supervisors - AMA Training

TRIO Priority Trainings and Legs and Regs Training

MI-CAPP Committee member for The Student Leadership Summit

Coordinator of the ETS Student Advisory Panel

Blumen Compansol (database) Training

Real Colors Facilitator Certification

Timeline

Exec. Dir. of Enrollment Mgmt. & Ed Partnerships

Southwestern Michigan College
01.2024 - Current

Educational Talent Search Director

Southwestern Michigan College
09.2016 - 01.2023

Educational Talent Search Tutor-Mentor Coor./Advisor

Southwestern Michigan College
09.2016 - 11.2018

Migrant/ELL Aide

Dowagiac Middle School
09.2015 - 06.2016

Long-Term Substitute English Teacher

Berrien Springs Middle School
12.2014 - 06.2015

Counselor/Instructor Assistant

Shay Elementary School (The Harborage)
12.2013 - 10.2014

Master of Arts - School Counseling

Western Michigan University

Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education

Ferris State University

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Maria Kulka