MONICA M. FREELAND
Chicago,IL
Summary
Dynamic leader with a proven track record at City Colleges of Chicago, enhancing educational quality and compliance across multiple campuses. Recognized for spearheading successful accreditation processes and implementing faculty excellence initiatives, showcasing strong strategic planning and team development skills. Proficient in project management and interpersonal communication, consistently transforming educational processes to achieve significant compliance milestones. Career aspirations include further advancing educational standards through innovative leadership.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Director of Academic Affairs
City Colleges Of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
12.2019 - Current
- Elevated to the position of Executive Director following a tenure as Director of Accreditation, Assessment, and Faculty Development.
- Direct the department managing educational quality activities across seven independently accredited community colleges.
- Recruit, train, mentor, evaluate, coach, and manage staff members to ensure success in achieving individual, departmental, and institutional goals.
- Established strategic direction and goals to accomplish departmental and institutional objectives.
- Strategize and implement plans to transform and revitalize educational quality activities and processes across seven institutions.
- Responsible for the management of the bookstore and vendor relationships.
- Responsible for district-wide faculty development programming.
- Responsible for the district-wide faculty tenure process.
- Responsible for ensuring the administration across seven colleges is adhering to faculty labor contracts, academic policy, and process.
- Responsible for advising the Chancellor and Provost on institutional effectiveness measures that indicate colleges are in jeopardy of being out of compliance with federal or state regulatory standards.
- Responsible for leading efforts to support seven community colleges in maintaining compliance with federal and state higher education regulations.
- Functioned as in-house consultant for seven community colleges, guiding them on maintaining accreditation.
- Facilitate the coordination across seven colleges on the creation, revisions, and maintenance of sustainable assessment of student learning infrastructures.
- Spearheaded the development of faculty and administration excellence pillars and a comprehensive professional development framework supporting both faculty and administrators striving to meet those excellence pillars through their tenure.
- Spearheaded collaboration among district departments to enhance professional development initiatives tied to strategic objectives.
- Enhanced information-sharing channels to promote academic excellence through structured leadership resources.
Manager of Accreditation and Compliance and Accreditation Liaison Officer
Malcolm X College; City Colleges of Chicago
Chicago, IL
11.2018 - 12.2019
- Achieved compliance with HLC standards serving as Accreditation Liaison Officer.
- Provided clear guidance on key regional academic regulations to relevant parties.
- Led development and implementation of large-scale quality assurance projects.
- Conducted outcomes data publication.
- Evaluated team skillsets to allocate tasks effectively.
- Delegated tasks and evaluated project personnel performance.
- Assisted top-level executives in navigating regulations affecting institutional compliance.
- Oversaw efforts ensuring compliance with specialized accreditation requirements across career pathways.
- Guided Deans and Program Directors in applying best practices to sustain program quality.
- Facilitated collaboration among President, Deans, and Program Directors to initiate new program developments.
- Managed the Office of Accreditation and Compliance with one direct report.
- Managed external reporting requirements to accrediting agencies, ensuring compliance with standards.
- Oversaw daily operations, maintaining efficiency and quality standards.
- Streamlined communication channels, improving information flow and decision-making speed.
Accreditation and Compliance Specialist
Malcolm X College; City Colleges of Chicago
Chicago, IL
05.2016 - 11.2018
- Led a successful two-year effort to achieve long-term accreditation for three health science programs.
- Played a key role in securing inaugural accreditation for the Physical Therapy Assistant program.
- Assisted in maintaining and obtaining specialized accreditation by engaging academic leaders in related activities.
- Oversaw compliance strategy, enabling institutions to meet all federal regulatory requirements without penalties.
- Co-managed development of procedures for data publication.
- Coordinated evidence collection for 10-year regional accreditation reaffirmation process.
- Collaborated as part of a 3-member team to guide the College through successful accreditation re-affirmation efforts.
- Supported development and launch process of an office focused on institutional effectiveness.
- Established and maintained relationships with regulatory bodies and external compliance advisors.
- Advised staff and customers through audits and remedy compliance issues.
- Coordinated with various departments within the organization to ensure adherence to established standards.
- Developed and maintained comprehensive documentation of compliance procedures and policies.
- Monitored changes in legislation affecting the organization's operations and updated compliance frameworks accordingly.
- Collaborated with legal and operational teams to address compliance issues and implement corrective actions.
Project Manager for Carl Perkins Grant
City Colleges of Chicago
Chicago, IL
06.2015 - 05.2016
- Oversaw end-to-end execution of federal grant-related projects across 7 colleges.
- Delivered targeted training focused on aligning grant fund allocation with data-driven program improvements, fiscal goals, and career initiatives.
- Facilitated the overhaul of City Colleges of Chicago's state program review procedure for academic programs, student services, and business operations.
- Developed a streamlined process aligning program review outcomes with enhancement initiatives funded by federal grants.
- Managed multiple projects with competing deadlines simultaneously.
Consultant
InterSector Solutions LLC
Chicago, IL
09.2014 - 09.2015
- Implemented strategies to enhance cooperation and sustainability across diverse sectors.
Mentor Matching Engine (MME) Summer Pilot Program Manager
Illinois Science and Technology Institute
Chicago, IL
06.2014 - 08.2014
- Led initial implementation for Mentor Matching Engine, an online platform for mentor-matching research and development.
- Developed a program management toolkit comprising user training tools, marketing materials, and evaluation instruments.
- Designed effective volunteer recruitment plans specifically for industry professionals and academic researchers.
- Facilitated product refinement by steering technical teams based on user insights.
- Defined scope of responsibilities for ongoing work and future technical contractors.
Coordinator of Community Based Learning Partnerships & Massachusetts Campus Compact (MACC) AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA)
Five College Consortium
Amherst, MA
09.2011 - 09.2013
- Managed collaboration efforts for STEM initiatives amongst the Five College consortium; Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mt. Holyoke College, Smith College, and the University of Massachusetts.
- Facilitated integration of community-based learning initiatives focusing on STEM opportunities within the consortium.
- Developed sustainable initiatives aiming to involve STEM faculty and students in community activities at affiliated institutions.
- Evaluated regional STEM outreach demand in areas near the consortium.
- Selected as trainer for Boston's VISTAs pre-orientation community programs.
- Proposed expenditures, overseeing allocation of $100k annual budget for Community Based Learning Committee.
- Managed execution of large-scale onboarding events designed to prepare students for community-based roles.
- Created tools and workflows evaluating how orientations enhanced students' preparedness to serve.
- Pioneered effective youth civic engagement initiative using top-tier gamification technology by Sandra Day O'Connor.
- Spearheaded and executed inaugural college access evening for vulnerable participants of the community's Girls Inc. chapter.
- Oversaw creation and distribution of web content across consortium platforms.
Kettering Foundation Public Administration Fellow
U.S Department of Interior (DOI); Office of Surface Mining (OSM)
Washington, DC
09.2009 - 09.2011
- Secured a higher position following a successful three-month internship period at DOI, and subsequent training with OSM/VISTA in Beckley, WV.
- Served as Special Assistant to the creator and coordinator of OSM/VISTA teams.
- Facilitated operational and programmatic initiatives across Colorado and West Virginia OSM/VISTA field offices.
- Counseled eight DOI agencies on forming national service teams in areas affected by environmental degradation.
- Fostered joint efforts with various organizations to tackle environmental remediation projects.
- Assisted in crafting the Kettering Public Administration Fellowship program.
- Coordinated intern program management for OSM Division of Reclamation and Support.
- Analyzed social dynamics and ecological impacts in rural Appalachian watersheds and areas affected by coal mining activities.
- Oversaw the coordination of MOAs and partnership contracts between fiscal sponsors.
- Member of the Department of the Interior's Partnership Team and Youth Task Force.
- OSM Bureau Representative for the Department of the Interior's Youth Impact Evaluation Group.
Education
Masters of Public Administration - Public Management
DePaul University's School of Public Service
Chicago, IL06.2015
Bachelors of Arts - Political Science, American Government, Civic Education
Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA05.2010
Skills
- Project management
- Team leadership, training, and development
- Consulting
- Program monitoring
- Program leadership
- Staff management
- Strategic planning
- Framework development
- Risk assessment expertise
- Process mapping
- Interpersonal communication
- Interpersonal skills
- Performance improvement
- Vendor management
- Task prioritization
- Problem-solving aptitude
- Data analytics
- Analytical skills
Community Service
- Member of the Albany Park Community Center Board of Directors, Albany Park Community Center, Chicago, IL, 09/17, Current
- Big Sister, Big Brother Big Sister of Metropolitan Chicago, Chicago, IL, 09/16, Current
- President, Albany Park Community Center Associate Board, Chicago, IL, 09/15, 09/17
Timeline
Executive Director of Academic Affairs
City Colleges Of Chicago
12.2019 - Current
Manager of Accreditation and Compliance and Accreditation Liaison Officer
Malcolm X College; City Colleges of Chicago
11.2018 - 12.2019
Accreditation and Compliance Specialist
Malcolm X College; City Colleges of Chicago
05.2016 - 11.2018
Project Manager for Carl Perkins Grant
City Colleges of Chicago
06.2015 - 05.2016
Consultant
InterSector Solutions LLC
09.2014 - 09.2015
Mentor Matching Engine (MME) Summer Pilot Program Manager
Illinois Science and Technology Institute
06.2014 - 08.2014
Coordinator of Community Based Learning Partnerships & Massachusetts Campus Compact (MACC) AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA)
Five College Consortium
09.2011 - 09.2013
Kettering Foundation Public Administration Fellow
U.S Department of Interior (DOI); Office of Surface Mining (OSM)
09.2009 - 09.2011
Masters of Public Administration - Public Management
DePaul University's School of Public Service
Bachelors of Arts - Political Science, American Government, Civic Education
Bridgewater State University
Similar Profiles
Mariem FilaliMariem Filali
College Clerical Assistant II at City Colleges of ChicagoCollege Clerical Assistant II at City Colleges of Chicago
Ana MartinezAna Martinez
Enrollment Management at City Colleges of ChicagoEnrollment Management at City Colleges of Chicago
Howard WardHoward Ward
Adjunct Professor at City Colleges of ChicagoAdjunct Professor at City Colleges of Chicago