Nikita Etzkorn
Community Psychologist
Channahon,Illinois
Summary
Community psychologist with a lively approach to community engagement, applied research and grant management. Proven ability to establish and evaluate programs, which meet community needs, develop partnerships and obtain financing through successful grant writing. Proven ability to undertake participatory action research with stakeholder buy-in and convert results into meaningful activities. Dedicated to fostering equity, wellness, and capacity building among various groups. Background in lobbying, data research, and community empowerment.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Community Psychologist Ph.D. Student
National Louis University
08.2025 - Current
- Developed innovative research methodologies for enhanced results and improved project outcomes.
- Assisted faculty members in curriculum development by incorporating latest scientific advancements into course material.
- Recorded and analyzed data to produce reports of results.
- Analyzed results using analytical software and created reports.
- Participated in lab meetings and project presentations.
- Participated in research projects by designing and executing experiments.
- Developed strong analytical skills through hands-on experience with various statistical software tools and platforms.
- Implemented quality control measures throughout each stage of the research process to ensure accuracy and reliability of results obtained from experiments conducted during my tenure as a Student Researcher.
- Completed research, compiled data, updated spreadsheets, and produced timely reports.
Claims Examiner Debt Specialist
Social Security Administration
08.2018 - Current
- Review and assess overpayment appeal requests, making final determinations based on relevant facts, laws, and regulations pertaining to Title II, XVI, and XVIII overpayment cases.
- Communicate effectively with debtors and field personnel to clarify and resolve complex technical overpayment issues, including waivers and reconsideration requests.
- Analyze and evaluate all pertinent facts, evidence, and prior determinations to render final decisions on requests for reconsiderations, penalty assessments, and waiver of recovery request.
- Analyze data to support investigations related to fraud cases, ensuring adherence to organizational guidelines and accurate reporting of collections to support complex investigations and reports from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), ensuring compliance and appropriate actions are taken.
- Interpret, prepare, and draft formal documentation for bankruptcy appeals and court actions, maintaining a focus on precision and legal standards.
- Mitigate fraud risks by identifying suspicious patterns in claims data and escalating concerns to appropriate teams for further investigation.
- Maintain current knowledge of industry developments, regulations, and best practices through continuous professional development activities.
- Improve overall efficiency within the department by streamlining processes and eliminating redundancies where possible.
- Analyze information gathered by investigation and reported findings and recommendations.
- Work well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Manage time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
Supervisor
Comcast
08.2008 - 12.2017
- Championed a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging team feedback by implementing actionable recommendations, resulting in enhanced team dynamics and performance outcomes.
- Oversaw daily operations of the department, ensuring smooth workflow and timely completion of tasks.
- Applied strong leadership talents and problem-solving skills to maintain team efficiency and organize workflows.
- Improved customer satisfaction with timely response to inquiries, addressing concerns, and finding effective solutions.
- Increased team productivity by implementing efficient workflows and setting clear expectations for staff members.
- Enhanced communication within the team by holding regular meetings and encouraging open dialogue among all members.
- Mentored junior staff members in their career development, sharing knowledge from years of experience in the field.
- Conducted performance evaluations for staff members, identifying areas of improvement and guiding professional development plans.
- Demonstrated commitment to the organization''s core values, leading by example and fostering a culture of excellence.
- Fostered culture of continuous improvement, encouraging team to suggest and implement process enhancements.
- Achieved significant improvements in operational efficiency, introducing and enforcing quality control measures.
- Identified operational inefficiencies and implemented corrective measures to increase effectiveness.
Education
Doctorate of Philosophy - Community Psychology
National Louis University
Chicago, Illinois09-2028
Master of Science - Human Resource Management
National Louis University
Chicago, IllinoisBachelor of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies/Psychology
National Louis University
Chicago, IllinoisSkills
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel for data analysis and forecasting tasks
- Community engagement
- Emotional intelligence
- Analytical thinking
- Cognitive restructuring
- Regulatory compliance
- Decision-making
- Attention to detail
- Effective communication
- Public Outreach
- Critical thinking
- Multitasking Abilities
- Organizational skills
- Data collection
- Public-Sector experienced
- Problem-solving aptitude
Timeline
Community Psychologist Ph.D. Student
National Louis University
08.2025 - Current
Claims Examiner Debt Specialist
Social Security Administration
08.2018 - Current
Supervisor
Comcast
08.2008 - 12.2017
Doctorate of Philosophy - Community Psychology
National Louis University
Master of Science - Human Resource Management
National Louis University
Bachelor of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies/Psychology
National Louis University