Martin A. Carranza

Counselor

• Offered UCSB students holistic counseling and advice to help cultivate self-esteem and community involvement.
• Developed individualized counseling plans for students to incorporate short-term and long-term goals.
• Acted as student advocate to coordinate required services or resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
• Guided students in developing skills and strategies for dealing with problems.
• Developed academic and time management plans to help students build self-confidence and resilience.
• Supported individuals dealing with mental health and emotional issues.
• Collaborated with other departments to coordinate holistic care for students.

Transfer Summer Bridge Program Coordinator

• Led and managed development of programs to support educational needs of 1st generation transfer students
• Established partnerships with campus organizations, and various academic departments to enhance program effectiveness.
• Oversaw recruitment, training, and supervision of program staff and volunteers.
• Implemented initiatives to increase program visibility and impact, resulting in increase in participant enrollment.
• Analyzed program data by tracking and reporting program outcomes to identify areas of improvement.
• Oversaw staff schedules and assignments to handle programming demands.

Student Staff Supervisor

• Created successful work schedules for each team member to maintain deadlines and fully staff shifts.
• Mentored newly hired employees on EOP missions
• Evaluated employee performance and coached and trained to improve weak areas.
• Maintained compliance with UCSB policies, objectives, and communication goals.
• Applied strong leadership talents and problem-solving skills to maintain team efficiency and organize workflows.
• Communicated closely with other counselors to devise programs and activities based on developmental and academic levels

Program Administration

• Co-manage basic needs funding allocation and ensure equitable and ethical stewardship of funds
• Utilize thorough understanding of Title IV, state and institutional programs to leverage existing resources to support student retention
• Manage institutional meal voucher program which includes allocation plan for various campus partners, program reporting and assessment of needs in for high-traffic units
• Coordinate Financial Crisis Response Team meetings and deliver quarterly updates and program review
• Support assessment efforts for institutional and state reporting
• Oversaw Transitional Housing Program targeted to assist houseless students secure long term housing

Student Support Services

• Provide holistic support services for students as they relate to their basic needs and continued enrollment
• Asses distressed students to identify intervention and referral needs on campus and in the community
• Conduct homeless youth and students at-risk of homelessness determinations for financial aid dependency purposes
• Serve as liaison for campus departments including advising, mental health and student support service units
• Delivered individualized counseling services to clients working through issues surrounding housing and/or food insecurity.

Financial Aid Administration

• Advised students, parents, campus affiliates and public in all areas of financial aid administration
• Applied needs-analysis methodology to financial aid applications through review of verification documents
• Processed and made decisions on appeals including dependency overrides, on-time status, satisfactory academic progress, budget increases submitted by students

Veteran Certifying Official

• Interpreted policies and procedures as they relate to financial aid and Veteran Affair benefits
• Ensure program compliance and reconciliation of funds and payment reporting
• Applied elements of need analysis and awards/benefits packaging to the quarterly certifications process
• Built relationships with campus departments and external agencies to ensure the accuracy and reconciliation of all payment and reporting activity
• Managed and communicated debts to Billing Office, Veteran Affair Debt Management Center and Veteran Affair regional office

• Exceptional knowledge and ability to deal with the public and people from various backgrounds.
• Guaranteed positive customer experiences and resolved all customer complaints.
• Surpassed performance goals by approaching all interactions with resourcefulness, organization and customer-centric solutions.
• Evaluated customer information to explore issues, develop potential solutions and maintain high-quality service.

• Met with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.
• Gathered and analyzed research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.
• Directed and coordinated law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas.
• Communicated with customers, employees, and other individuals to answer questions, disseminate or explain information, take orders, and address complaints.