Shannon R. Blake-Lynch
Columbia,SC
Summary
Meticulous Undergraduate Academic Advisor for First-Generation and Underrepresented student populations with a passion for supporting the academic success, personal development, and retention of students from diverse backgrounds. Detail-oriented and committed to providing individualized guidance, resources, and support services to help students navigate the challenges of higher education and achieve their academic and career goals.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Undergraduate Academic Advisor
University Of South Carolina
Columbia, SC
06.2023 - Current
- Provide academic advising and support services for more than 150 first-generation and underrepresented students, including course selection, degree planning, and academic success strategies.
- Demonstrate cultural competency and sensitivity in working with students from diverse backgrounds, including first-generation, low-income, minority, LGBTQ+, and international students.
- Develop and implement programs and initiatives to support academic success and retention of first-generation and underrepresented students.
- Stay informed about relevant research, best practices, and emerging trends in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education.
Instructor of English
University Of South Carolina
Columbia, SC
08.2017 - 05.2023
- Participated yearly in professional development workshops focused on pedagogical strategies for engaging learners from diverse backgrounds.
- Improved classroom engagement by implementing interactive teaching techniques and hands-on learning experiences and cultural competency.
- Enhanced overall student success with personalized feedback, constructive criticism, and one-on-one tutoring sessions.
- Adapted lesson plans to accommodate different learning styles and abilities within classroom settings for optimal comprehension of material covered.
- Cultivated positive learning environment by fostering open communication, mutual respect, and active listening skills among students.
Education
Ed.D - Higher Education Leadership
Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA12.2024
Master of Arts - Creative Writing
University of South Carolina - Columbia
Columbia, SC 08.2010 - 05.2013
Skills
- "Culture, Language, Inclusion: Bringing Underrepresented Students into the Conversation," System Advisor's Conference University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, February 2024
- "Addressing Microaggressions in Higher Education: Understanding Cultural Competency in the Classroom," Training Workshop University of South Carolina, Sumter, SC March 2024
Certification
CITI Conflicts of Interest; Social & Behavioral Research;
Information Privacy Security; Social and Behavioral Responsible Conduct of Research
Timeline
Undergraduate Academic Advisor
University Of South Carolina
06.2023 - Current
Instructor of English
University Of South Carolina
08.2017 - 05.2023
Master of Arts - Creative Writing
University of South Carolina - Columbia
08.2010 - 05.2013
Ed.D - Higher Education Leadership
Gwynedd Mercy University