Santos Martinez
Riverside,CA
Summary
Self-driven professional with fifteen years of experience in the Veteran’s Resources Center Above-average knowledge of veteran education benefit processes Strong written and verbal communication skills Excellent presentation skills Proficient in Microsoft Office Ellucian software proficient Zoom software proficient Undocumented Scholar Advocate Veterans Administration Enrollment Manager above-average Knowledge
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
2
2
Certification
Work History
Veterans Program Counselor
Crafton Hills College
08.2024 - Current
- Provide individual and group counseling for students with academic, career, and personal concerns
- Create an environment conducive to student development, self-awareness, and self-direction
- Ability to create educational plans per Veterans Affairs regulations, allowing students to maintain eligibility for military service-related educational benefits
- Ability to work with a diverse student population with specific emphasis on student veterans or active-duty military personnel
- Possess familiarity with college curriculum in transfer and career education, four-year institution transfer requirements, college-to-college articulation practices, academic planning principles, and student support services
- Ability to adapt academic counseling practices based on the knowledge of each individual student
- Ability to self-reflect and respond to an evidence-based assessment of student comprehension
- Demonstrated experience and commitment to integrating new technologies into the academic counseling process
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
Veteran’s Services Coordinator/Certifying Official/Association Co-Advisor
Riverside City College
07.2016 - Current
- Provided specialized academic and career advising to veteran students and dependents with disabilities to aid with course and program information, career exploration, educational planning, career selection, and disability-related concerns
- Work with students to manage their GI Bill to maximize benefits while pursuing their education
- Keep abreast of changing degree program information, transfer timelines, UC and Cal State, and VA information impacting GI Bill benefits
- Ensure that students understand and can use their GI Bill benefits at the community college and University levels
- Participating in the California Guided Pathways project, implementing an integrated, institution-wide approach to student success
- Coordinated and implemented the Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program(VRRAP) GI Bill benefits
- Implemented a new billing process for the Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP)
- Manage, coordinate, and assess the day-to-day operations of the Veteran’s Resource Center
- Serve as the federal Veterans Administration worksite manager
- Hire, train, supervise, and direct the tasks of VA employees and Work-Study Students within federal regulation parameters unique to the VA Work-Study Program
- Mentor and train staff on policies and procedures regarding federal VA and CA state procedures on veteran benefits
- Supervise the certification process to ensure all students utilizing VA benefits are certified correctly
- Complete the certification process to Veteran’s Affairs for payment to the school and the student
- Work closely and communicate with the district, Veteran’s Affairs staff, and Veteran Services regarding students meeting the appropriate course of study to satisfy graduation or career requirements
- Committee member for Military Articulation Platform & Pathways (MAP)
- A cloud-based system allowing evaluators and faculty to match military training with college courses, providing veterans with earned college credit
- Monitor student enrollment and VA certification to verify that classes meet program and graduation requirements
- Review and identify non-qualified classes
- Notify students regarding classes that are not eligible for program payment disbursement from VA and financial aid
- Maintain a friendly and supportive atmosphere for students, faculty, staff, and the public
- Contribute to developing, assessing, and reporting Student Learning and Service Area Outcomes
- Manage non-residence issues for veterans and dependents
- Conduct new student and continuing student veteran orientations and workshops
- Planned and coordinated various veterans outreach programs and services; prepared brochures, newsletters, and other informational materials to keep student veterans and others informed of changes in Veterans Affairs department and District policies
- Serve as the point of contact between veteran students, administration, internal and external business relations, and the general public regarding available programs and services offered by the District and Veteran’s Affairs Department
- Establish, collaborate, and maintain ongoing communication with local community resources and organizations, including the Education Services Officer of the local military
- Interpret and communicate policies, rules, regulations, and operational procedures to staff members, faculty, students, and the general public
- Enter, manage, and track complex data into manual and automated systems
- Develop and run computerized queries to formulate, summarize, and evaluate data
- Gather internal and external data for research and trend analysis to prepare reports for staff and administration
- Identify issues and propose recommendations to the administration for evaluation
- Monitor and review veteran-related legislation
- Veteran/student committee member, Riverside City College student scholarship panel member, and a STEM program mentor
- Home Depot grant award winner for utilizing funds towards student engagement
- Association of Latinos and Allies for Student Success committee member (ALASS) strives to celebrate and promote Latino academic success on our campus and throughout our communities
- Our mission is to bring together faculty, staff, students, and administrators to raise awareness of and advocate for the needs of our Latino student population
Student Services Veterans Certifying Official
Riverside City College
07.2008 - 07.2016
- Completed the certification process to VA for payment to the school and the student
- Assessed, monitored, and tracked the needs of the student veteran population
- I liaised with state, regional, and national organizations, committees, and task forces for veterans
- Evaluated program processes and procedures and planned, developed, and presented recommendations regarding technical methods and techniques of the program administration
- Assisted veterans with transferring their benefits to other colleges and universities
- Established and maintained complex file and record systems, including those for confidential and sensitive materials
- Scheduled appointments to meet with veteran students to process priority registrations for the Vocational Rehabilitation program
- We conducted data collection to assess the progress of the college's veteran students
- Processed deferment of enrollment fees, initiated bookstore vouchers, monitored students' progress, and provided reports of deferred billings for Student Accounts Services when appropriate
Veterans Services -Lead VA Work Study
Riverside City College
03.2004 - 07.2008
- Assisted the certifying official with the certification of veteran's benefits
- Maintained and organized veteran-related documents and files
- Served as a liaison for new students exiting the military and assisted with transitioning from military life into college life
- Mentored students struggling with academics
- Assisted students with entering community college, applying for the GI Bill, and applying for Financial Aid
Non-Commissioned Officer
United States Marine Corps
12.1999 - 01.2003
- Serves as a Non-Commissioned officer, leading 21 Marines in logistical operations and training
- Assault climber trained for the mountain environment
- Led and managed a squad of Marines towards preparation, efficiency, and organization
- Trained Marines to work and operate as a team in assigned areas
- Trained Marines in assault climber operations
- Supervised assigned tasks to ensure successful completion
Education
Master of Arts - Education (Counseling)
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA08.2022
MS-Business Administration -
University of Redlands
12.2013
AS - Accounting
Riverside Community College
06.2011
BS - Operations Management
California State Polytechnic Pomona
06.2010
Skills
- Professional boundaries
- Mental health support
- Multicultural competence
- Student engagement
- Veterans Benefits experience as veteran
- Veteran Education plan writing experience
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 5 staff members.
- Collaborated with team of 9 in the development of Veterans Resource Center.
- Honorable Discharge from Marine Corps
- Certified VA students using VA benefits for education
Awards
Riverside City College Club Advisor for Veterans Association.
Certification
- Institutions of Higher Learning VA Education 2024
- Restorative Justice Practice and Trauma-Informed Care
Languages
Spanish
Professional Working
Timeline
Veterans Program Counselor
Crafton Hills College
08.2024 - Current
Veteran’s Services Coordinator/Certifying Official/Association Co-Advisor
Riverside City College
07.2016 - Current
Student Services Veterans Certifying Official
Riverside City College
07.2008 - 07.2016
Veterans Services -Lead VA Work Study
Riverside City College
03.2004 - 07.2008
Non-Commissioned Officer
United States Marine Corps
12.1999 - 01.2003
MS-Business Administration -
University of Redlands
AS - Accounting
Riverside Community College
BS - Operations Management
California State Polytechnic Pomona
Master of Arts - Education (Counseling)
San Diego State University
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