Work Preference
Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Affiliations
Certification
Languages
Timeline
Portfolios, Profiles, Publishing
Generic
Dr. Rebecca Alithia Payan, Ph.D.
Open To Work

Dr. Rebecca Alithia Payan, Ph.D.

Garland,USA

Work Preference

Job Search Status

Open to work
Desired start date: 2 weeks notice

Desired Job Title

Administrative Assistant to the PresidentProgram SpecialistTeacherIndependent Conflict Resolution Resource

Work Type

Full TimeContract WorkConsulting

Location Preference

Hybrid
Location: Garland, USADallas Fort Worth AreaDallas, TX
Open to relocation: Yes

Important To Me

Career advancementWork-life balanceCompany CultureFlexible work hoursPersonal development programsHealthcare benefitsWork from home optionPaid time offStock Options / Equity / Profit Sharing401k matchPaid sick leaveTeam Building / Company Retreats4-day work week

Summary

Higher‑education and organizational wellness leader specializing in conflict resolution, mediation, and holistic well‑being culture. Strengthens institutional climate, enhances student and staff success, and advances
organizational resilience through evidence‑informed practice,
cross‑disciplinary collaboration, and equity‑centered leadership. Experienced in restorative approaches, stakeholder engagement, and culturally responsive communication.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience
5
5
Certification

Work History

Substitute Teacher

Garland Independent School District
08.2024 - Current
  • Support the administrative offices with clerical tasks.
    Support general and special education classrooms (Pre‑K–12).
  • Maintain continuity of instruction and classroom climate across diverse
    learning environments.

Substitute Teacher

International Leadership of Texas
08.2024 - Current
  • Support the administrative offices with clerical tasks.
    Support general and special education classrooms (Pre‑K–12).
  • Maintain continuity of instruction and classroom climate across diverse
    learning environments.

Independent Conflict Resolution Consultant

Parenting Through Conflict Resolution
10.2023 - Current
  • Provide conflict resolution training, team‑building strategies, and culturally responsive communication frameworks.
  • Support parents, teachers, and administrators in school meetings as a neutral facilitator.
  • Apply mediation, negotiation, facilitation, and IOA principles in all client engagements.
  • Volunteer conflict‑resolution skills to the Catholic Diocese of Dallas as a Tribunal Procurator-Advocate.

Administrative Assistant to the President

Prudent Money Financial Services
02.2021 - 03.2022
  • Managed client investment account processes and communication with financial institutions.
  • Developed and maintained the company website; edited and published financial content across social platforms.
  • Coordinated radio interviews and managed CRM operations to support business productivity.

Program Specialist

NATL Criminal Justice Training Cent. of Fox Valley Technical Col.
09.2014 - 08.2020
  • Coordinated training projects, financial documentation, and milestone tracking for federal initiatives.
  • Served as a point of contact for Native American women and families affected by human trafficking.
  • Collaborated with cross‑functional teams to support program implementation and outcomes.

Para Professional/Teacher's Assistant

Garland Independent School District
03.2016 - 05.2019
  • Supported teachers and therapists in delivering instruction and reinforcing IEP goals across diverse learning environments.
  • Maintained accurate attendance records in Skyward to meet district compliance standards.
  • Prepared curriculum‑aligned instructional materials that supported individualized learning objectives.
  • Documented behavioral incidents in Review360 to inform ARD meetings and administrative decisions.
  • Assessed student academic skills using News2You to guide instructional adjustments.

Student Facilitation Intern

Hart Center for Engineering Leadership at SMU
08.2014 - 12.2014
  • Facilitated leadership and team‑building workshops for engineering students.
  • Conducted retrospectives to strengthen group performance and communication.

Assistant Health Promoter to the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs for Health and Wellness

University of North Texas
08.2013 - 04.2014
  • Conducted health surveys, designed wellness programs, and supported campus‑wide health initiatives.
  • Maintained wellness blog and collaborated on the annual Student Health & Wellness Calendar.
  • Designed Health Hut outreach tent used for large‑scale student engagement.

Education

PhD - Conflict Analysis & Resolution Studies

Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
12-2025

Master of Arts - Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management

Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX
08-2015

Bachelor of Science - Health Promotion

University of North Texas
Denton, TX
08-2013

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, Theatre Studies

Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX
08-2000

Skills

  • Strategic Time & Project Management — Prioritizing complex workloads, coordinating multi‑stakeholder initiatives, and meeting institutional deadlines with consistency
  • Research & Data Analysis — Conducting qualitative and quantitative inquiry, synthesizing findings, and translating insights into actionable recommendations
  • Adaptability & Growth Mindset — Navigating evolving academic environments with resilience, continuous learning, and solution‑oriented thinking
  • Accountability & Transparency — Modeling ethical practice, clear communication, and integrity in decision‑making and collaboration
  • Problem‑Solving & Productivity Optimization — Identifying systemic challenges, developing evidence‑informed solutions, and improving operational efficiency
  • Team Building & Collaboration — Facilitating cross‑functional partnerships, strengthening classroom engagement, and fostering inclusive working relationships
  • Conflict Resolution & Mediation — Applying restorative, culturally responsive, and research‑based approaches to support healthy campus climates, relationship-building, and social engagement
  • Lingual Communication — Engaging diverse populations and enhancing accessibility through lingual proficiency

Websites

Affiliations

  • Latino Alumni Board of Southern Methodist University Dallas, Texas, May 2017 - December 2021, August 2022 – 2023, & March 2025 - Present
  • Chair of Latino Alumni Board and Subcommittee Chair of Community Outreach
  • Collaborated with SMU Affinity Board Members and Alumni Relations to discuss the Annual Giving and Alumni Relations (AGAR) Strategic Plan to project a course of action to meet AGAR goals collectively.
  • Conducted independent tasks such as engaging with students and alumni during recruitment and Rotunda Processional events, reviewing applications, voting on elections, and nominating members.
  • Represented the Latino Alumni Board by speaking at the Multicultural Graduation Ceremony in 2019.
  • Negotiated with Friendly Chevrolet Dealership to obtain a vehicle for the SMU Homecoming Parades and Albertson’s Grocery Store to provide beverages for the Hispanic Alumni Scholarship Recipient Ceremony in 2019.
  • Coordinated with SMU Alumni Relations and the SMU Athletic Department to orchestrate and volunteer at SMU’s 2020 Virtual Cinco de Mayo Celebration, the Armstrong Fieldhouse Pregame event, the We Ball Basketball event hosted by SMU, and parades such as SMU Homecoming, Martin Luther King, and 4th of July.
  • Conflict Resolution Field Practice, Member & Volunteer, 2018-08, 2023-09 ABA Conflict Resolution Section member; conference liaison for ACR. Conducted research on ombuds roles and charters for the International Ombuds Association.
  • Catholic Diocese of Dallas, Tribunal Procurator-advocate, 2026-03 to Present St. Michael's Archangel Catholic Church in Garland, Lead Eucharistic Minister • Faith Formation Teacher • Lector • Altar Provide legal advocacy, case preparation, and guidance through ecclesiastical proceedings. Coordinate volunteers, prepare liturgical materials, and support parish operations. Teach faith‑formation classes and track student progress.

Certification

  • International Ombuds Association Foundations
  • Peace Studies Certification
  • Dispute Resolution & Mediation Certification
  • CINERGY Conflict Management Coaching (ICF hours)
  • Catholic Diocese of Dallas: Safety Environment & Tribunal Advocate

Languages

Spanish
Limited Working
English
Native or Bilingual

Timeline

Substitute Teacher

Garland Independent School District
08.2024 - Current

Substitute Teacher

International Leadership of Texas
08.2024 - Current

Independent Conflict Resolution Consultant

Parenting Through Conflict Resolution
10.2023 - Current

Administrative Assistant to the President

Prudent Money Financial Services
02.2021 - 03.2022

Para Professional/Teacher's Assistant

Garland Independent School District
03.2016 - 05.2019

Program Specialist

NATL Criminal Justice Training Cent. of Fox Valley Technical Col.
09.2014 - 08.2020

Student Facilitation Intern

Hart Center for Engineering Leadership at SMU
08.2014 - 12.2014

Assistant Health Promoter to the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs for Health and Wellness

University of North Texas
08.2013 - 04.2014

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, Theatre Studies

Southern Methodist University

PhD - Conflict Analysis & Resolution Studies

Nova Southeastern University

Master of Arts - Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management

Southern Methodist University

Bachelor of Science - Health Promotion

University of North Texas

Portfolios, Profiles, Publishing

  • SMUNetwork.com
  • LinkedIn - Rebecca Alithia Payan, Ph.D.
  • Doctoral Dissertation - Relationship Partners’ Experiences of Managing Conflict with Individualist and Collectivist Cultural Perspectives: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis

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