Tonya Hacker
Cheyenne,WY
Summary
Inquisitive, dynamic, nimble, and bold thinker who finds creative solutions to support people. Strong advocate for disrupting the status quo.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Strategic Initiatives Facilitator
Laramie County School District #1
09.2022 - Current
- Coordinate dynamic rollout and implementation of district strategic initiatives, collaborating with building-level staff and administrators from 37 schools across the district, as well as parents, students, community members, business/industry stakeholders, non-profit organizations and public agencies
- Enhance transparent communication in close cooperation with Community Relations team; write reports and design creative materials for public consumption regarding strategies and initiatives
- Coordinate build-out of public-facing data and measurement dashboards with administrative data research staff
- Participate in internal and external community building initiatives on behalf of the senior leadership team
- Lead the development of innovative learning experiences for K-12 students, including STEAM, Dual Language Immersion, Pre-K bridge programs, and more
- Write federal and state grants on behalf of school district for funding related to strategic initiatives
- Provide oversight and management of special projects within the district
Operations Manager & Consultant
Landmark Monuments
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Managed the establishment of the new Cheyenne location of this family company (main office located in Loveland, CO)
- Oversaw sales, inventory, design technology, software and general business processes
- Consulted with families, organizations, community entities and others on designing and installing custom sandblasted stone monuments
- Developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency
Career Pathways & Advising Director
Western Nebraska Community College
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Planned and designed a new and innovative model for career development and academic advising, blending the services to reach more students and shifting the focus to a 'Guided Pathways' approach
- Served on the Strategic Enrollment Management core planning team with Marketing, Admissions, Student Success & Retention, and Institutional Research representatives
- Supervised and mentored a staff of 6 professional employees, leaning into strengths-based leadership approach
- Served on the Operations Council, Curriculum Council & Student Success Council as a voting member, proposing action items and implementing projects and initiatives related to student success, with an intentional and data-driven focus
- Managed multiple grants and budgets geared toward implementation of Guided Pathways and career services
- Facilitated training and professional development for staff and faculty related to best practices in advising and career development, creating a vibrant community of learning for all stakeholders
- Certified Title IX Investigator, Decision Maker and Hearing Officer for the institution, collaborating with a team of individuals to coordinate the implementation of our Title IX policy & procedures
- Led the implementation of innovative advising and career development software via project charters
- Initiated and developed partnerships with businesses/industries, economic development entities, chambers, human resource organizations, and other community organizations.
Education Consultant
Wyoming Department of Education
01.2014 - 01.2018
- Effectively managed and administered funding for 42 secondary and 7 post-secondary subrecipients in WY
- Facilitated state funding for special CTE grant programs, leadership efforts, and Career & Technical Student Organization support statewide
- Worked closely with the Wyoming Community College Commission to build and maintain multiple CTE data queries in their Central Instance for community college data
- Ran multiple data analyses, in collaboration with senior statistician on staff and the information management team, necessary to produce legislative reports, local reports, federal consolidated reports, and performance measures related to funding for CTE programs
- Built and maintained strategic partnerships with statewide businesses and industries, non-profit organizations, institutions and other state agencies
- Partnered with the Wyoming Career Readiness Council to develop more opportunities for students in work-based learning, effective partnerships and collaborative relationships with private sector business/industry, and web-based resources for career pathway exploration in the state
- Collaborated with the WY Department of Workforce Services and many other stakeholders on the development and implementation of the state plan for the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA)
- Worked in tandem with the Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship (WY) to provide funding and resources for the development of pre-apprenticeship programs as articulated pathways to full registered apprenticeships
- Facilitated statewide leadership activities, including informational presentations, workshops and trainings on new CTE initiatives/pathways/best practices, distribution of information about changes in CTE and Perkins processes, developing effective advisory boards, and technical assistance on data reporting, interpretation and accountability
- Instructed a 120-hour credit bearing course titled 'Facilitating Career Development' (curriculum by the National Career Development Association) for K-16 education professionals interested in implementing comprehensive career pathways and career development programs in their schools/colleges
- Lead a statewide online Professional Learning Community for P-16 career development professionals in collaboration with the University of Wyoming titled 'Project ECHO in Career Development.' Provided training resources to multiple professional organizations, including the Wyoming Association for Career & Technical Education, Wyoming School Counseling Association, Wyoming Afterschool Alliance, and more
- Oversaw Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) conference planning, professional development opportunities, and distribution of classroom resources statewide
Career Counselor, Academic Advisor & Instructor
University of Wyoming
01.2008 - 01.2014
- Created and implemented career development programming and curriculum for undergraduates with a student-centered focus and heavy emphasis on modern theoretical frameworks in student development
- Taught several sections of an academic success course for students who had been academically reinstated after suspension from the University
- Taught several sections of a career exploration course, including one section for undeclared/undecided freshman, one for sophomores, and one for juniors and seniors declared in majors
- Provided counseling on job applications, resume-building, career choice, financial literacy, and general transition guidance for undergraduate and graduate students on campus
- Facilitated required academic advising for undeclared students, helping to find creative solutions to complex situations
Youth & Family Therapist
Pathways
01.2008 - 01.2014
- Provided private practice mental health services to youth and families (part-time), including behavior management and intervention, systemic family therapy, early intervention and prevention services for severely and persistently mentally ill children, school-based intervention and consultation services with counselors and educators, and wrap-around systems of support for families
- Maintained a high level of ethical standards of practice, including confidential record-keeping
Graphic Designer/Personnelist
Wyoming Air National Guard
01.2000 - 01.2008
- Trained in foundations of graphic design and human resources
- Maintained personnel files for members and coordinated in/out processing for tours of duty
- Honorable Discharge in 2008 as a Non-Commissioned Officer at the rank of Technical Sergeant
Academic Advisor, College of Education
University of Wyoming
01.2005 - 01.2007
- Provided academic advising to undergraduate students in elementary and secondary education programs within the College of Education
- Facilitated academic success guidance and counseling for students who were struggling academically, or who didn’t meet the minimum GPA requirements for program entrance
- Met regularly with students (and their families) interested in attending the University of Wyoming and pursuing an education major
Education
Master of Science, Counselor Education -
University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY01.2007
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology -
University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY01.2005
Associate of Arts, General Studies -
Casper College
Casper, WY01.2003
Skills
- Synthesis & Reporting of Research in Education
- Clear, Compelling & Proactive Communication
- Innovative Thinking
- Project Management
Certification
- Facilitating Career Development Course Instructor
- Certified Master of Career Services
- Global Career Development Facilitator
- Certified Career Services Professional
- Certified Grant Writer - GrantsUSA
- Title IX Investigator, Decision Maker & Hearing Officer
Timeline
Strategic Initiatives Facilitator
Laramie County School District #1
09.2022 - Current
Operations Manager & Consultant
Landmark Monuments
01.2021 - 01.2022
Career Pathways & Advising Director
Western Nebraska Community College
01.2018 - 01.2021
Education Consultant
Wyoming Department of Education
01.2014 - 01.2018
Career Counselor, Academic Advisor & Instructor
University of Wyoming
01.2008 - 01.2014
Youth & Family Therapist
Pathways
01.2008 - 01.2014
Academic Advisor, College of Education
University of Wyoming
01.2005 - 01.2007
Graphic Designer/Personnelist
Wyoming Air National Guard
01.2000 - 01.2008
Master of Science, Counselor Education -
University of Wyoming
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology -
University of Wyoming
Associate of Arts, General Studies -
Casper College
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