Melissa M. Ginivan
Sheppard AFB
Summary
Dedicated higher education professional with a Master of Social Work and 5+ years of direct experience in university student advising and outreach, combined with additional years in related education-based student and family support services. Expertise in managing and coordinating program operations, developing training and guidance resources, facilitating cross-functional collaboration, and providing multi-channel (phone, email, in-person, virtual) student counseling on academic, financial, personal, and resource needs. Skilled in policy interpretation, data-driven performance improvements, resource linkage (including financial aid, advising, registration, and community services), and ensuring high-quality, customer-focused service delivery. Eager to bring leadership in student success and enrollment support to UT San Antonio's One Stop Enrollment Center.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Family Social Worker
Haynes Head Start
Wichita Falls
10.2024 - Current
- Manage and oversee the disability services component of the Head Start program, coordinating referral processes, ensuring regulatory compliance, and facilitating cross-functional meetings with administrators, specialists, and diagnosticians.
- Maintain a caseload spanning 5-6 classrooms (approximately 85-100 students and 10-12 teachers), conducting ongoing classroom visits, mental health observations, and program monitoring to support inclusive environments.
- Develop and implement individualized positive guidance plans and Academic Success plans; provide corrective feedback and strategies based on observations and data analysis to improve student and family outcomes.
- Facilitate parent education classes, support groups, monthly family engagement activities, and individual/family/group counseling; deliver responsive education and involvement opportunities.
- Serve as primary liaison for community donations, weekly food pack distribution, emergency assistance, recruitment/enrollment, and interagency agreements; implement transition procedures between programs.
- Conduct assessments, home visits, site visits, and crisis interventions; identify family needs, develop partnership agreements, and link families to community resources.
- Participate in weekly meetings and Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) meetings to support students identified for Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
Advanced Academic Advisor
University of Maryland Global Campus - Asia
Okinawa
02.2022 - 04.2024
- Evaluated students' prior learning experiences from both traditional and non-traditional sources, including articulated transcripts, to guide students pursuing UMGC Asia certificates and degree programs.
- Prepared tentative evaluations based on students' specific degree goals, collaborated closely with the degree audit department to ensure accurate application of credits and progress tracking, and provided advising and curriculum planning.
- Communicated with students daily by telephone, email, and in person; held scheduled advising appointments to assist with academic needs, registration, and policy interpretation.
- Owned a population of over 100 students who were close to graduation, on probation, and recently readmitted; closely monitored assigned students identified as academically at risk.
- Maintained complete and accurate records within the communication relation system; participated in outreach events to support enrollment and student success.
- Assisted students with registration and actively worked with site staff to improve processes and increase enrollment; relayed academic policies and procedures in simple and accurate terms.
Student Outreach Intern
University of Texas at Arlington, Division of Student Success
06.2020 - 08.2021
- Managed outreach and case management for 136 students; assessed personal, financial, and academic needs through attentive listening and formulated individualized action plans.
- Served as liaison connecting students to academic advising, financial aid, scholarships, registration/records, counseling, and other campus resources.
- Documented interactions, referrals, and outcomes in SharePoint; researched and organized 50+ campus and local resources; conducted follow-up assessments to evaluate service effectiveness.
- Coordinated referrals and ensured coordinated, efficient support to meet student needs in a high-touch environment.
Kindergarten Educational Aide
Ramstein Elementary School
Ramstein AB
05.2019 - 06.2020
- Provided daily guidance, instruction, and individualized support to 20+ children; collaborated with teachers on curriculum execution and early intervention for learning challenges.
- Assessed student needs and motivated progress through one-on-one instruction and classroom support services.
Orthopedic Licensed Vocational Nurse
Hendrick Medical Center
Abilene
06.2007 - 08.2011
- Managed patient care plans, assessments, and interdisciplinary collaboration in a fast-paced environment; developed skills in crisis response, documentation, and coordinated service delivery.
Education
Master of Social Work - Arlington
University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington12.2021
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
University of Maryland Global Campus
12.2018
Vocational Nursing Certification - Abilene, TX
Cisco College
Abilene, TX12.2007
Skills
- Training & Guidance Development
- Program Oversight & Team Coordination
- Case Management
- Mentoring/Coaching
- Student Advising
- Counseling
- Multi-Channel Service Delivery
- Policy & Procedure Development
- Maintenance & Compliance
- Data Analysis
- Performance Improvement
- Corrective Guidance
- Strategic Planning
- Problem-Solving
- Collaboration
- Cross-Functional Team Coordination
- Student Outreach
- Resource Referral
- Crisis Intervention
- Community Partnerships
- Interagency Agreements
- Microsoft Office
- SharePoint
- Student Information Systems
Certification
- Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), 2021
- Clinical Mental Health Care, 2024
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Family Social Worker
Haynes Head Start
10.2024 - Current
Advanced Academic Advisor
University of Maryland Global Campus - Asia
02.2022 - 04.2024
Student Outreach Intern
University of Texas at Arlington, Division of Student Success
06.2020 - 08.2021
Kindergarten Educational Aide
Ramstein Elementary School
05.2019 - 06.2020
Orthopedic Licensed Vocational Nurse
Hendrick Medical Center
06.2007 - 08.2011
Master of Social Work - Arlington
University of Texas at Arlington
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
University of Maryland Global Campus
Vocational Nursing Certification - Abilene, TX
Cisco College