Valarie Maestas
Marina,CA
Summary
Accomplished in spearheading initiatives at California State University Monterey Bay, I excel in grant writing and collaborative problem-solving, significantly enhancing educational equity and organizational effectiveness. Leveraging analytical skills and teamwork, I've effectively coordinated multi-departmental projects, directly contributing to the success of diverse student populations.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director Project Rebound
California State University Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA
06.2024 - Current
- Monitored progress by establishing plans, budgets and measuring results.
- Oversaw strategic planning and implementation to ensure organizational goals were met.
Grant Program Coordinator
California State University Monterey Bay
Marina, CA
01.2021 - Current
- Project Coordination and Grant Administration of a five-year, Developing Hispanic Serving Institutions (DHSI) Title V Grant, totaling $3 million
- Collaboration with internal stakeholders across 12 departments in student affairs and academic affairs to implement grant initiatives that address the needs of underserved populations and promote educational equity
- Coordination of project activities, including recruiting and training staff, organizing workshops and events, and evaluating program effectiveness
- Track, analyze, and interpret data in fulfillment of 24 performance metrics, in consultation with the Institutional Research and Assessment Office(IAR) and internal stakeholders
- Evaluate program outcomes and make recommendations for program improvements based on data analysis and feedback
- Interaction with partners to identify problems, think through the implications of solutions, and reach appropriate decisions
- Monitor grant expenditures and ensure compliance with federal regulations, reporting requirements, and grant guidelines
- Serve as a liaison between the organization and funding agencies, providing regular updates on project progress and addressing any concerns or inquiries
- Prepare and submit grant reports, financial statements, and other documentation as required by funding agencies
- Stay abreast of changes in federal regulations and funding opportunities related to Title V programs, and provide guidance to staff and partners as needed
- Convene and serve on the Executive Team, Steering Committee, and the Advisory Board for the grant work
- Create summary reports, utilizing data dashboards, other data sources, and provide presentations to the Executive Team, Steering Committee, Advisory Board, campus partners, and constituents with the outcomes associated with all program activities
- Initiated the formation of the first ever HSI Week Planning Committee which implemented multiple programming and educational activities for the campus
- Serve on the advisory committee for our Latine student success center and affinity space
- Collaboration - Collaborated with 12 departments to track implementation of grant initiatives with expansion and synergies created across additional areas
- Assessment - created the five-year tracking plan for each initiative and metric promised in the grant, completion of the APR
- Communication - coordinated weekly meetings with executive and grant committees
- Presented findings of the grant to the Executive Cabinet on a yearly basis
- HSI Committee - Initiated the formation of the first HSI Campus Committee which implemented multiple programming and educational activities for the campus
- Coordinate and oversee implementation of a suite of peer and faculty mentoring programs and establish learning outcomes for the mentoring programs
- Tutoring and academic support center program planning, expansion, and coordination to include hiring and supervision of student employees
- Worked with cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
- Provided support and guidance to colleagues to maintain a collaborative work environment.
- Conducted comprehensive research and data analysis to support strategic planning and informed decision-making.
- Implemented policies, procedures and programs to carry out educational standards and goals.
- Prepared and maintained personnel reports and records for officials and agencies.
- Facilitated communication between team members working on various aspects of a given grant program.
- Assisted in the development of evaluation criteria to measure the success of funded projects.
- Created budgets for proposed grants and tracked spending against those budgets.
- Coordinated meetings with stakeholders to develop strategies for successful grant implementation.
- Developed grant proposals and applications for submission to potential funders.
Tutor Coordinator
California State University Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA
01.2021 - 05.2024
- Coordinated, scheduled and monitored all tutoring activities.
- Developed and implemented tutor training programs.
- Initiated communication with faculty members to ensure accuracy of subject content in tutoring sessions.
- Organized and facilitated workshops on study skills for students needing additional support.
- Conducted regular meetings with tutors to assess performance and address any issues or concerns.
- Recruited, trained and evaluated staff and recommended personnel actions for programs and services.
- Worked effectively in team environments to make the workplace more productive.
Dean of Students
Los Puentes Charter School
11.2019 - 07.2020
- Developed, implemented, and reviewed school policies and procedures in accordance with state and federal mandates
- Enforced and adjudicated violations of the student conduct code
- Collaborated with students, families, and school social workers to develop strategies for improved behavioral and academic outcomes
- Developed behavior contracts and revised individualized educational plans
- Responsible for health and safety of 250 students
- Developed, collected and analyzed data to inform policy and practices
- Developed goals and objectives for the 5-year strategic plan, which was approved by Albuquerque Public Schools as part of the charter school's authorization and turn-around plan
- Co-authored Bernalillo County Health Initiative Grant worth $400k over 3-years
- Created and implemented the schools virtual learning environment during the COVID-19 closure in accordance with state guidelines
Senior Academic Advisor, School of Engineering
University of New Mexico
12.2016 - 11.2019
- Advised approximately 450 undergraduate Electrical and Computer Engineering majors from entry to the university through graduation
- Service provider for Electrical and Computer Engineering department, provided assistance to all UNM students and Advisors regarding courses and policies, overrides, transfer equivalencies and placement
- Ensure advisement and department practices adhere to accreditation expectations
- Developed educational programming to improve advisement services
- Created advising model from entry to graduation
- Created workshop curriculum for different stages of degree for ECE department
- Facilitated Department Orientations in collaboration with faculty, student affairs, and student organizations
- Facilitated Undergraduate committee meetings with faculty
- Updated curriculum and other policies for all ECE majors; undergraduate and graduate
- Evaluation and processing of transfer coursework
- Team lead developing best practices for the School of Engineering and guiding innovative changes
- Developed new student orientation procedure serving over 400 incoming freshmen annually
- Developed forms and a standardized process for academic standing (at-risk, probation, etc.)
- Developed a Success Plan for students at risk academically
- Data collection, reporting, analyzing, and evaluation of programs and systems implemented
- Utilize Microsoft Office, Ellucian, Degree Works and Starfish to collect data, analyze trends and track outcomes
- Collaboration with the Global Education Office for international student success and study abroad opportunities
Yoga Instructor
Professional Services Contractor with the State of New Mexico Children Youth and Families Dept.
12.2017 - 05.2019
- Guided weekly trauma-informed yoga instruction within a juvenile secure facility
Senior Academic Advisor, College of Arts & Sciences
University of New Mexico
10.2013 - 12.2016
- Advised undergraduate Chemistry and Biochemistry students ~750 students from entry through graduation
- Service provider for Chemistry department, provided assistance to all UNM students and Advisors regarding chemistry courses and policies, overrides, transfer equivalencies and placement
- Develop Standard Operating Procedures for New Student Orientation which served ~1100 students each summer and guided ~25 staff
- Utilize Microsoft Office, Ellucian and Starfish to collect data, analyze trends and track outcomes
- Develop educational programming to improve retention and graduation rates for all students
- Create workshop curriculum for freshman, transfer students, and new majors
- Co-taught Freshman workshops with College Enrichment Program for holistic student support
- Facilitated department orientations in collaboration with faculty, CAPS, McNair and Career Services
- Spearheaded Transfer Taskforce to improve advisement services for transfer/non-traditional students
- Facilitated cross-college Advisor discussion on institutional strengths, weakness, and ideas for change
- Utilized feedback to pilot a new workshop for transfer students beginning spring 2016
- Collect data on probation, suspension, enrollment, and graduation to evaluate impact over time
- Collaborated with Faculty
- Member of Biochemistry Department Faculty Sub-Committee
- Provide data to track trends and needs for undergraduate degree program
- Initiate changes to curriculum to meet the needs of students and department
- Pre-med liaison and team member
Registrar, Senior Advisor, Educational Assistant
Los Puentes Charter School
Albuquerque, USA
02.2008 - 10.2013
- Maintained official academic records of all students and reported to NM Public Education Department regarding census, demographics, and grades
- Created and monitored master schedule
- Provided support to at-risk, non-traditional students in the classroom by enhancing the learning environment, providing classroom management, grading, and documenting student progress toward goals
- Collaborated with social services for student success
- Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD), Probation and parole officers, Treatment Foster Parents, Transitional Living Mentors
- Collaborated with CNM/UNM for educational opportunities
- Introduced Running Start for Careers Dual Credit Program
- Attended annual counselor workshops to stay fresh on college scholarship and admission requirements
- Proctor for Accuplacer exam
- Implemented programing, organized events, and mentored students to create school-wide college going culture
- Advised students on academic planning and graduation requirements
- Hosted FAFSA workshops for students and parents
- Co-Presented at New Mexico Coalition for Charter Schools on college preparation for at-risk youth, mentorship after high school graduation, and data trends of program impact
Education
Master of Science - Health Education
University of New Mexico
12.2019
Bachelor of Science - Anthropology and Psychology
University of New Mexico
05.2012
Skills
- Collaborative Problem-solving
- Grant writing
- Budget preparation
- Analytical skills
- Student counseling
- Continuous improvement
- Diversity awareness
- Student relations
- Organizational skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
Affiliations
- New Mexico Academic Advising Association (NMAAA)
- Presented at NMAAA Conference in 2014 and 2015
- Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institution Educators (AHSIE)
- Presented at AHSIE 2024, 2025
Professional Development And Recognition
- CSUMB specific, CSU Data Analytics team member, HSI Week Planning Committee Lead, El Centro Advisory Board member, Otter Promise Sub-Committee member, Otter Strength Award for demonstration of the value of diversity, equity and inclusion
- CLADEA scholarship
- Gerald May Outstanding Staff Award, University of New Mexico, 12/01/17
- Yoga Teacher Training, 200-hour yoga training, 08/01/16, Yin Yoga Certified, 20-hour, 04/01/17, Prison Yoga Project Training, 32-hour, 07/01/17, Sensitive Yoga Training, 20-hour, 03/01/19, Dynamic Mindfulness Training, 6-hour, 10/01/19, Curanderismo Course, 06/01/19, Trauma Cognitive Processing Therapy Training, 13-hour, 07/01/18, Mental Health First Aid, 8-hour, 09/01/17
- Crisis Prevention and Intervention (CPI) Certified, 2008-2012
- New Mexico Law Enforcement Conference, Gang Task Force training, substance abuse workshops, 2008-2010
- La Plazita Institute, Albuquerque, NM, Youth Group Leader, Female gang and substance abuse prevention, 2008
- Hogares, Inc, Albuquerque, NM, Milieu Worker, For at-risk youth in residential treatment, 2007-2008
- Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI), 09/01/17, Research ethics and compliance training
- Dream Zone, 09/01/16, Immigration reform and student advocacy, access and success initiatives
- Title IX, 2016, Equal opportunity to prevent discrimination in education
- Clery Act, 2016, Community education for public safety and crime prevention
- Safe Zone, 2015, Safety and advocacy for LGBTQ Community
- National Academic Advising Association, 2013-2019, Attended Conferences in 2016, 2017
- ABQ BioPark Enrichment Volunteer, Great Apes food enrichment to help mimic natural environment, 2011-2012
Conference Presentations And Publications
- Co-Presented at New Mexico Coalition for Charter Schools, 2008, College preparation for at-risk youth, mentorship after high school graduation, and data trends of program impact
- UNM Mentoring Institute
- Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institution Educators
- The Effects of Fast and Slow Yoga Breathing on Cerebral and Central Hemodynamics, Gabriella Bellissimo, Eric Leslie, Valarie Maestas, Micah Zuhl
Accomplishments
- Gerald May Award,
- Otter Strenght Award
Certification
- 200-hr Yoga Certification
- Trauma-informed yoga certification
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Director Project Rebound
California State University Monterey Bay
06.2024 - Current
Grant Program Coordinator
California State University Monterey Bay
01.2021 - Current
Tutor Coordinator
California State University Monterey Bay
01.2021 - 05.2024
Dean of Students
Los Puentes Charter School
11.2019 - 07.2020
Yoga Instructor
Professional Services Contractor with the State of New Mexico Children Youth and Families Dept.
12.2017 - 05.2019
Senior Academic Advisor, School of Engineering
University of New Mexico
12.2016 - 11.2019
Senior Academic Advisor, College of Arts & Sciences
University of New Mexico
10.2013 - 12.2016
Registrar, Senior Advisor, Educational Assistant
Los Puentes Charter School
02.2008 - 10.2013
- 200-hr Yoga Certification
- Trauma-informed yoga certification
Master of Science - Health Education
University of New Mexico
Bachelor of Science - Anthropology and Psychology
University of New Mexico
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