Nathania Francois
Newburgh,NY
Summary
Highly organized and self-motivated professional with experience in college admission. Polished in advising students on admissions procedures and implementing and evaluating policies to enhance effectiveness and efficiency of recruitment and admissions programs. Offering 8+ years of experience planning and developing strategies for undergraduate admission. Expertise in student recruitment and retention. Committed to helping students reach their educational goals.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Director, Diversity Outreach
Vassar College
06.2023 - Current
- Worked closely with the Dean and Director of Admission to develop and coordinate efforts to enhance representation of students of color, low-income, first-generation, and other historically underrepresented students. With oversight of fall diversity program, increased student and family participation by 6%. With managing partnership with QuestBridge, increased student match application numbers from four to fourteen.
- Managed recruitment territory and coordinated four to six weeks of fall travel and one to two weeks of spring and summer travel.
- Spearheaded diversity student recruitment efforts, liaised with key constituents, such as college access organizations, and developed and led college access workshops (e.g., essay writing and financial aid literary workshops).
- Supervised and provided professional support for diversity outreach team made up of three junior staff members of admission team.
- Participated in evaluating applications and selecting first-year and transfer students by working collaboratively to support enrollment of intelligent, highly engaged, and creative students.
Associate Director of College Counseling
Sanford School
07.2021 - 05.2023
- Implemented and taught seven lesson plans focusing on detailed timelines outlining essential steps in the application process for 75 juniors. Through informative workshops and presentations, enhanced students'' understanding of the college admissions process.
- Developed a robust database of college resources, expanding access to valuable information for students and parents. Streamlined the scholarship search process, increasing financial aid opportunities for students. Assisted families in navigating complex financial aid processes, ensuring timely submission of required documents.
- Collaborated with the English department to improve student outcomes with comprehensive guidance on writing compelling application essays and personal statements.
- Advocated for students by writing high-quality college recommendation letters on behalf of seniors and supporting faculty in doing the same.
- Faculty Advisor 9th-10th grade: Planned and promoted career planning presentations and work experience programs. Facilitated engaging group sessions on topics such as time management, study skills, and stress reduction techniques for optimal academic success.
Senior Assistant Dean of Admission, Assistant Director of Diversity Enrollment
Bates College
07.2018 - 07.2021
- Manage geographic territories and coordinate four to six weeks of travel for SoCal, IL, Western & Central MA, Caribbean, and PR & US VI. Utilized Committee-Based Evaluation (CBE) to review first-year applications (Domestic & International).
- Transfer Coordinator: evaluated, selected, and yielded 5-10 transfer students each year; maintained statistics, requirements, and deadlines on website and in publications; worked with operations team and Student Financial Services to complete applications; partnered with Registrar’s Office on transfer applicants’ credit evaluations.
- Diversity Enrollment: Provide vision and direction for fly-in programs that align with Bates' long-standing commitment to increasing diversity enrollment. Increased the number of U.S. students of color from 23% to 28%.
- Served as liaison to the Office of Dean of Faculty (DOF) to support DOF’s communication efforts and selection process to consistently enroll a cohort of 24 underrepresented students interested in STEM.
- Community-Based Organization (CBO) Relations: Suppot office in developing relationships with CBOs. Assist in updating CBO contact info in Slate. Identify CBOs in each geo for deans and counselors to visit during fall travel season, and review official partnerships with CBOs annually.
- Racial Equity: Partner with Dean of Admission and Financial Aid and Director of Admission on developing and continuing racial equity training for staff. Review current practices and policies to ensure equity in recruitment, selection, and yield efforts.
Admissions Counselor
Wentworth Institute of Technology
08.2016 - 07.2018
- Managed application review and associated decision-making for first-year and transfer students for specific geographic territories, including New York, Massachusetts, Washington D.C., Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
- Managed undergraduate student recruitment in specific geographic territories, including travel planning and recruitment strategies.
- Organized information sessions and conduct presentations.
- Participated in on-campus admissions events, including Open Houses, Preview Day, and Accepted Students’ Day.
- Supervised and managed eight student workers for prospective student outreach programs.
Practicum Student for College Access Bridge Program
Wentworth Institute Of Technology
06.2017 - 08.2017
- Supported students in transitioning from high school to higher education by providing intensive case management, such as conducting bi-weekly one-on-ones with 30 students enrolled in RAMP (Bridge Program). Refer appropriate services on campus (admissions, financial aid, Wellness and Disability Services, etc.). Develop new system to track communication and progress for each student.
- High-level focus on retaining high school female students enrolled in RAMP by providing exposure to STEM majors and careers.
- Coordinated tailored information sessions with Admissions office.
- Assisted with STEM exploration workshops, providing exposure to WIT faculty, laboratories, and STEM fields.
- Assisted staff with overall program support to ensure student and program outcomes are reached. For 2017, outcomes showed that retention rate for RAMP participants was 89.2% compared to 84% for overall student population.
Practicum Student for College Access
Wentworth Institute Of Technology
01.2017 - 05.2017
- Supported SAT Prep program by assisting Edward M. Kennedy (EMK) HS Program Coordinator and Assistant Director, including but not limited to recruitment and support of students, communication with instructors and teaching assistants, and data collection.
- Supported Assistant Director in onboarding new partner, Fenway High School.
- Attended SAT Prep classes and practice exams regularly and EMK junior seminar class to assist with SAT registration and review practice score results.
- Identified and supported students interested in applying to Wentworth. Discussed majors, application process, and other admission pathways through CLP.
- Developed program narrative around SAT Prep, including historical data, program's impact, successes, and failures. Conducted research to support need for program and impact on local, state, and national levels. Overall outcomes showed that students who participated in the program's program increased their SAT scores on average from 860 to 1130.
Admission Counselor
Salem State University
08.2015 - 06.2016
- Managed application review and associated decision-making.
- Organized information sessions, developed presentations, and conducted recruitment activities. Participated in on-campus admissions events, including Open Houses, Junior Preview Day, and Accepted Students Day.
- Management of recruitment of students from targeted schools predominantly in New England region (Territories included Barnstable County, Plymouth County, and Bristol County).
- Work closely with faculty to develop clear understanding of each academic program.
Education
Masters - Higher Education and Student Affairs
Salem State University
Salem, MA05.2018
Bachelor - Social Work
Salem State University
Salem, MA05.2015
Skills
- Public Speaking
- Recruiting and sourcing
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Consulting
- Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
- Critical Thinking
- Decision-Making
- Relationship Building
- Program Development
- Project Management
- Slate
- MS Office
- Google Drive
Involvement And Impact
- Bridges Mentoring Program, Wentworth Institute of Technology (WIT), August 2017, July 2018, Staff liaison for a mentoring program designed for SOC’s first years at WIT. - Works with a student mentor to build success within a group of 4/5 first-year students.
- Gift Drive, Home for Little Wanderers, December 2016, December 2017, Coordinate gift drive program for the Enrollment Management department at Wentworth Institute of Technology.
- College Mentor, Girls Inc. of Lynn, September 2015 - May 2016, College mentor, working one-on-one with high school seniors from Lynn to guide them through the college application process, scholarship submissions, and financial aid applications.
Professional Development
- NACAC GWI Conference, July/August 2024, Faculty/Presenter
- NACAC GWI Conference, July/August 2022, 2023, Attendee
- NAIS PoCC Conference, December 2021, 2022, Attendee
- NACAC Conference, Houston, TX, September 2022, Attendee
- PCACAC Summer Institute, Virtual, July 2021, Attendee
- NCORE Conference, Portland, OR, May 2019, Attendee
- NASPA Multicultural Institute, New Orleans, LA, December 2017, Attendee
- NEACAC Summer Institute, Bentley University, July 2017, Attendee
Certification
Timeline
Associate Director, Diversity Outreach
Vassar College
06.2023 - Current
Associate Director of College Counseling
Sanford School
07.2021 - 05.2023
Senior Assistant Dean of Admission, Assistant Director of Diversity Enrollment
Bates College
07.2018 - 07.2021
Practicum Student for College Access Bridge Program
Wentworth Institute Of Technology
06.2017 - 08.2017
Practicum Student for College Access
Wentworth Institute Of Technology
01.2017 - 05.2017
Admissions Counselor
Wentworth Institute of Technology
08.2016 - 07.2018
Admission Counselor
Salem State University
08.2015 - 06.2016
Masters - Higher Education and Student Affairs
Salem State University
Bachelor - Social Work
Salem State University
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