Nella Quasnitschka
Fort Mill,SC
Summary
Dynamic Director who oversees every facet of production with strong program management and decision-making skills. Brings comprehensive knowledge of program coordination, resolving problems, customer service, staff supervision, and managing complex events with ambiguity in a fast paced office. Specialties include cultivating and maintaining relationships with students, parents, staff and administration. Proven ability to effectively work with, and supervise, individuals from different cultures, backgrounds, and lifestyles. A talent for analyzing problems, developing and simplifying procedures, and finding innovative solutions. Known for fostering teamwork and adapting to evolving program needs, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Pre-College Summer Director
University of Connecticut
04.2016 - Current
- Department: Office of Early College Programs (OECP).
- Develop and coordinate logistics for UConn’s Pre-College Summer (PCS) programs and activities that includes over 30 courses and 100 workshops when program is in session.
- Evaluate PCS effectiveness through collection and analysis of program data; identify problems and opportunities, and initiate corrective action and change as needed.
- Successfully manage budget and allocate resources to maximize productivity and profitability.
- Coordinate with faculty to create a schedule of course offerings that includes classroom assignments, ordering of supplies, supervision of authorized adults, and collaboration with Environmental Health and Safety, Office of Minor Protection, Dining Services, and transportation.
- Provide high level of customer service to program participants and their families to ensure they have a meaningful and positive experience while on campus.
- Maintain a professional demeanor by staying calm when addressing unhappy or angry family members.
- Collaborate with individuals at SLATE, the administering company for our Event Management Software, to ensure a smooth application and enrollment experience for students interested in PCS.
- Supervise 2 professional staff, 3 graduate students, and 20 summer residential counselors.
- Establish performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging staff to share innovative ideas and providing resources for professional development.
- Develop and implement PCS policies for minors while still aligning with University Policy.
- Develop new and established relationships with University departments including department heads, faculty and administrative staff.
- Create access to PCS for underrepresented students by developing and maintaining relationships with University departments and community partners.
- Collaborate with OECP staff to coordinate new course opportunities, instructor certification, professional development workshops, and implement student events relevant to UConn Early College Experience (ECE) courses.
Educational Talent Search (ETS) TRiO Program Director
University of Connecticut
01.2006 - 04.2016
- Department: Center for Academic Programs.
- Submitted annual reports to the University of Connecticut and U.S Department of Education.
- Ensured program’s compliance with federal government regulations.
- Submitted a successful grant proposal to the U.S Department of Education in December 2010.
- Supervised two professional staff.
- Administered a program that services first generation, low-income students.
- Collaborated with high school communities to build a college going culture.
- Designed and implement innovative youth development programs.
- Represented ETS in community activities.
Upward Bound Program TRiO Associate Director
LaGuardia Community College (LaGCC)
01.2001 - 09.2004
- Programmed a residential summer program at Vassar College, including night and weekend activities.
- Revamped student intake process and tripled the number of applications that came in each year.
- Hired and supervised four faculty members and eight residential advisors.
- Organized and facilitated orientations for parents and training programs for summer staff.
- Established and strengthened relationships with administrative offices at LaGCC and Vassar College.
Upward Bound/ConnCAP Advisor
University of Connecticut
01.1998 - 08.1999
Education
Masters of Science - Education, College Student Personnel Administration
Illinois State University
Normal, IL01.2000
Bachelor of Arts - Human Development and Family Relations
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT01.1997
Skills
- Team leadership
- Budget oversight
- Policy development
- Program development
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Decision making
- Crisis management
- Training programs
Professionalassociations
- The North American Association of Summer Sessions (NAASS), 2016 - Present
- The National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP), 2016 - Present
- Pre-College Program Directors, 2016 - Present
- New England Educational Opportunity Association (NEOA), 2012, TRiO Day Conference Chair, 2008 Vice President and Conference Chair
- Connecticut Association of Educational Opportunities Programs (CAEOP), Vice President/Conference Chair
Languages
Italian
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Limited Working
Timeline
Pre-College Summer Director
University of Connecticut
04.2016 - Current
Educational Talent Search (ETS) TRiO Program Director
University of Connecticut
01.2006 - 04.2016
Upward Bound Program TRiO Associate Director
LaGuardia Community College (LaGCC)
01.2001 - 09.2004
Upward Bound/ConnCAP Advisor
University of Connecticut
01.1998 - 08.1999
Bachelor of Arts - Human Development and Family Relations
University of Connecticut
Masters of Science - Education, College Student Personnel Administration
Illinois State University
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