MICHELL SUAYAN
Summary
Accomplished higher education professional with 16 years of post-secondary education experience and a proven track record in leading academic institutions and driving educational excellence. Education leader experience, specializing in academic operations, accreditation readiness, faculty development, and student success initiatives. Proven track record of strengthening institutional outcomes, leading large academic teams, and driving continuous improvement within high-volume technical training environments. Recognized for operational excellence, strategic planning, and advancing student achievement across one of the largest campuses in the organization.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Education
Lincoln Technical Institute
Union, NJ
01.2020 - Current
- Largest campus in the company
- Serve as a key member of the senior leadership team, collaborating with the Campus President on strategic planning, program innovation, policy development, budgeting, and operational oversight.
- Lead and supervise 55 faculty members supporting a school population of approximately 1,650 students.
- Ensure full regulatory and accreditation compliance, including academic file audits, annual reporting, and accreditation visit preparation.
- Oversee department budget planning, forecasting, and operational controls.
- Manage all functions of faculty recruitment, hiring, onboarding, professional development, performance evaluation, and coaching.
- Support and enforce all academic policies and procedures; provide instructional support to faculty in curriculum delivery and teaching strategies.
- Maintain inventory of educational equipment, technology, textbooks, and course materials.
- Manage student progress from orientation to graduation; monitor academic outcomes and drive improvements in attendance, SAP, grades, and completion rates.
- Develop and maintain master course schedules to maximize efficiency and class capacity.
- Oversee key processes tied to student satisfaction and retention, including outreach to at-risk students and academic coaching.
- Leverage systems and analytics to monitor faculty performance and student academic trends.
- Led faculty training initiatives to improve instructional techniques and educational outcomes.
Electrical & Electronics Systems Technology Program Manager
Lincoln Technical Institute
01.2015 - 01.2021
- Directed operations for a division of 16 instructors and 500+ students.
- Developed and maintained course schedules for all division offerings.
- Procured consumables, tools, and instructional equipment.
- Led bi-monthly department meetings and quarterly curriculum planning sessions.
- Executed demolition and new classroom construction project.
- Oversaw classroom remodels and major equipment upgrades.
- Achieved continuous year-over-year improvements in retention and student census.
- Served on the Retention Committee to support campus-wide initiatives.
- Created and maintained a partnership with Johnson Controls.
- Launched the EEST Book Club promoting technical literacy.
- Earned NCCER Master Trainer Certification.
Evening Education Supervisor
Lincoln Technical Institute
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Supervised facility operations, faculty, and students during evening hours.
- Provided academic counseling to students struggling with SAP.
- Developed student-engagement events and activities.
- Improved evening orientation structure and outcomes.
Education Facilitator
Lincoln Technical Institute
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Re-engaged former students for re-enrollment opportunities.
- Collaborated with finance and business office personnel to process returning students.
- Implemented retention strategies to support student persistence.
- Managed a student emergency fund and coordinated community resources.
- Delivered Early Student Engagement workshops.
- Administered entrance and scholarship testing.
Student Advisor
Universal Technical Institute
Orlando, FL
01.2006 - 01.2011
- Provided academic advising and success planning for technical-education students.
- Implemented tracking systems for monitoring student progress and intervention strategies.
- Mentored junior advisors, sharing best practices for effective student support services.
- Developed personalized academic plans to guide students towards successful program completion.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays, KS01.2020
Associate of Arts - Psychology
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Madison, NJ01-1996
Skills
- Educational leadership
- Accreditation compliance
- Policies and procedures enforcement
- School administration
- Education administration
- Staff development
- Faculty supervision
- Program management
- Strong work ethic
Timeline
Director of Education
Lincoln Technical Institute
01.2020 - Current
Electrical & Electronics Systems Technology Program Manager
Lincoln Technical Institute
01.2015 - 01.2021
Evening Education Supervisor
Lincoln Technical Institute
01.2013 - 01.2015
Education Facilitator
Lincoln Technical Institute
01.2011 - 01.2013
Student Advisor
Universal Technical Institute
01.2006 - 01.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Fort Hays State University
Associate of Arts - Psychology
Fairleigh Dickinson University