Yashica Island
Portland
Summary
Experienced professional with a proven track record in planning, developing, and executing successful events and initiatives. Demonstrates strong strategic thinking and leadership skills, fostering excellent client relationships. Recognized for building connections and attracting new clients effectively.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Equity Coordinator
Oregon Education Association
01.2025 - Current
- Advanced equity initiatives as the sole staff member dedicated to the mission.
- Conducts strategic planning and implementation for organizational equity goals.
- Drafts equity plans, prioritizing alignment with OEA's strategic objectives.
- Established a role as the organizational point of contact for OEA's equity lens, vision, and plans.
- Supports OEA's mission, vision, and values through active participation in initiatives.
- Collaborated with communications and governance teams to enhance equity resources.
- Facilitated BIPOC affinity spaces and developed professional learning opportunities to enhance community engagement and support.
- Engaged with state-level leadership to promote equity coordination and foster collaborative partnerships.
Equity Initiative Strategic Manager
Oregon Department of Education
07.2024 - 09.2024
- Led initiatives promoting equity and access in education across diverse populations.
- Supported assistant superintendent in leading diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
- Engaged stakeholders to align educational strategies with community needs, fostering stronger partnerships and improved educational outcomes.
- Directed educational policy development for statewide initiatives and programs.
- Guided staff in executing African American student success plan, immigrant/refugee student success plan, and safe and inclusive school initiatives, promoting equitable educational access.
- Evaluated program effectiveness through data analysis and stakeholder feedback.
- Provided leadership during times of organizational change or crisis situations.
- Supervised a team of ten employees to achieve program objectives.
Equity Manager
Portland Fire and Rescue
01.2022 - 07.2024
- Developed and implemented equity initiatives for bureau operations, enhancing alignment with organizational objectives.
- Reported directly to fire chief to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
- Monitored budgets and expenditures to ensure cost-effectiveness and uphold quality standards.
- Ensured compliance with industry regulations and City of Portland policies.
- Coached, mentored and trained team members in order to improve their job performance.
- Conducted performance reviews for team members.
- Produced thorough, accurate and timely reports of project activities.
- Provided leadership and mentoring to newly hired employees, facilitating their understanding of various company programs.
Equity Professional Development Specialist
Northwest Regional Education Service District
08.2019 - 01.2022
- Developed and delivered racial equity professional development services to twenty school districts across Columbia, Clatsop, Tillamook, and Washington counties.
- Facilitated equity trainings for diverse audiences, including staff at all organizational levels and leadership teams.
- Contributed to comprehensive professional learning models focused on racial equity implementation in school districts and classrooms.
- Developed curriculum and presentations tailored for component school districts and educational partners.
- Supported NWRESD leadership and employees on antiracism and intersectionality across programs and departments.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to ensure effective communication and teamwork at all organizational levels.
- Promoted ethical standards of democracy, equity, diversity, and excellence in professional development activities.
- Identified potential grant sources and partnered with grant writers to secure funding opportunities.
Director of Diversity and Intercultural Engagement
Concordia University
12.2016 - 08.2019
- Coordinated outreach programs to advance multicultural education for campus and Northeast Portland community, enhancing community engagement.
- Developed retention strategies that improved student success for diverse racial, religious, and sexual orientations, fostering inclusive academic environments.
- Fostered collaboration between departments to improve enrollment and retention outcomes, creating a unified approach to student engagement.
- Created initiatives aiding faculty, staff, and students in addressing social justice issues.
- Led recruitment and training efforts for residence life staff.
- Supported student affairs organizations through effective program planning.
- Enhanced faculty and staff awareness via comprehensive training modules.
Think College Inclusion Oregon (TCIO) Program Administrator
Portland State University
04.2016 - 12.2016
- Reviewed completed applications within TCIO admissions committee, utilizing program acceptance criteria for decision making.
- Collaborated with TCIO co-directors to integrate pre-admission advising and admissions into PSU processes for all students.
- Provided financial planning advisement to TCIO applicants and families, ensuring access to essential resources for affordability.
- Developed and maintained TCIO admissions database; prepared and presented data reports at quarterly advisory group meetings.
- Assisted in organizing and reporting data required by funding agency and Think College Coordinating Center.
- Coordinated interested PPS high school students in PSU's high school senior inquiry program, fostering early engagement with college resources.
- Facilitated orientation events for newly admitted TCIO students and families, covering advising, resources, and support programs.
- Partnered with community organizations to distribute information about TCIO's inclusive academic offerings and campus living options.
Director of Student Academic Inclusion and Success
Pacific University
09.2012 - 05.2016
- Directed Pacific Leadership Academy and Tutoring and Learning Center, managing administrative functions to support student academic inclusion.
- Collaborated with university offices to improve support systems for PLA students, enhancing overall academic success and retention.
- Established partnerships with local high schools and community programs to recruit underrepresented students.
- Designed summer and academic-year bridge programs for prospective Pacific University students.
- Created peer mentor program for first- and second-year students, fostering academic success and community engagement within Pacific Leadership Academy.
- Developed tailored leadership programming addressing specific needs of PLA students.
- Supervised student staff while managing budgetary allocations for PLA and TLC.
- Represented PLA at community events, promoting university initiatives and contributing to local projects.
Apprenticeships in Science and Engineering (ASE) Teacher Monitor
Saturday Academy
02.2012 - 09.2012
- Evaluated quality of ASE internships for educational value, safety, and effectiveness.
- Ensured safe physical and emotional environment for students.
- Supported students and mentors in achieving potential and resolving conflicts.
- Conducted site visits with 15 interns and 15 mentors, documenting findings in online reports to enhance program quality.
- Served as communications liaison, facilitating collaboration among ASE staff, interns, and mentors.
- Supported marketing initiatives to increase program visibility and attract participants.
- Developed engaging curriculum for first and second grades focused on scientific exploration.
- Represented Saturday Academy and ASE program as official spokesperson.
Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) Coordinator & Tutoring Center Supervisor
Upward Bound Program (UB)
02.2009 - 01.2012
- Coordinated recruitment efforts to enroll multicultural students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, enhancing program diversity.
- Built relationships with eighty-five multicultural, low-income, and first-generation students, fostering a supportive academic environment.
- Evaluated high school transcripts and developed comprehensive academic plans for twenty-five students annually.
- Oversaw daily operations of tutoring center, managing staffing, scheduling, and workflow documentation.
- Supervised diverse teaching assistants, including tutor staff and college practicum students.
- Delivered high-quality tutoring services and learning support to high school students.
- Coordinated training programs for new hires and ongoing development of tutors.
- Presented tutoring center services to undergraduate work-study students, increasing awareness and utilization of available resources.
Integrated 1 and 3 Mathematics Teacher
Union High School
08.2008 - 01.2009
- Taught five classes to a daily average of 150 students at Union High with approximately 2,000 students.
Delivered comprehensive lessons in algebra, geometry, and advanced algebra topics. - Designed engaging lesson plans tailored to diverse student learning styles to enhance understanding and participation.
- Applied classroom management strategies to establish a positive learning environment, promoting student engagement and collaboration.
High School Teacher
De la Salle North Catholic High School
08.2005 - 06.2008
- Developed and implemented instruction for culturally integrated classrooms in algebra, biology, science, and fitness.
- Choreographed and instructed modern jazz, swing, ballroom, salsa, and hip-hop dance classes, enhancing student skills across diverse abilities.
- Advised and proctored yearbook activities, fostering student engagement in school culture.
- Chaperoned and engaged in school events such as retreats, proms, and dances.
- Created and executed first winter arts showcase, showcasing student art and performances, strengthening community involvement in the arts.
Education
Professional Administrative Licensure program - Educational Leadership and Policy
Portland State University
Portland06-2021
Master of Arts - Teaching
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR06-2009
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
Southern Arkansas University
Magnolia05-2001
Diploma - Health Occupations
Benson Polytechnic High School
Portland06-1997
Doctor of Business Administration - Organizational Leadership
Concordia University
Mequon, WI03-2026
Doctor of Education - Transformational Leadership
Concordia University
PortlandSkills
- Equity management
- Community engagement
- Program evaluation
- Grant writing
- Strategic planning
- Data analysis
- Partnerships and collaboration
- Leadership development
- Presentation skills
- Administrative leadership
- Professional training
Affiliations
- Campus Compact of Oregon, Board Member, Fall 2017, 06/20
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Spring 1999, Present
Awards
Kate Garrison 'Overcoming the Odds' Award, Pacific University, 05/11/16, Recognizes a faculty or staff member who is a pioneer, trailblazer, or innovator to advance change by her work that advances justice and equity.
Professional Development
- National School Reform Faculty- Critical Friends Group Coach, 2020
- Executive Learning Series on Equity and Empowerment (ELSEE), 2016-2017 Cohort
- Teaching with a Purpose Conference, 2018
- National Conference on Race and Ethnicity (NCORE) in Higher Education, 2017, 2018, 2019
- Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) - Diversity Research Institute, 2015
- Portland African American Leadership Forum (PAALF) - Graduate Cohort, 2015
- NCORE in Higher Education, 2015
- CIC/Walmart Foundation Symposium on First Generation Students, 2014
- Race Amity Conference, 2014
- NCORE in Higher Education, 2014
- National Center for Student Leadership (NCSL) 2013 Collegiate Conference, 2013
- Association for Tutoring Professionals (ATP) 2009 and 2013 Annual Conferences, 2009, 2013
- Call To Protect- Behavioral, Emotional, and Physical Boundaries of Youth
- Reading Assessment and Literacy
- Learning Structures Workshop
- Ruby Payne: Understanding the Framework of Poverty, Part I & II
- Black Fire Chief's Conference, 2022
Certification
Professional Administrator License
Websites
Timeline
Equity Coordinator
Oregon Education Association
01.2025 - Current
Equity Initiative Strategic Manager
Oregon Department of Education
07.2024 - 09.2024
Equity Manager
Portland Fire and Rescue
01.2022 - 07.2024
Equity Professional Development Specialist
Northwest Regional Education Service District
08.2019 - 01.2022
Director of Diversity and Intercultural Engagement
Concordia University
12.2016 - 08.2019
Think College Inclusion Oregon (TCIO) Program Administrator
Portland State University
04.2016 - 12.2016
Director of Student Academic Inclusion and Success
Pacific University
09.2012 - 05.2016
Apprenticeships in Science and Engineering (ASE) Teacher Monitor
Saturday Academy
02.2012 - 09.2012
Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) Coordinator & Tutoring Center Supervisor
Upward Bound Program (UB)
02.2009 - 01.2012
Integrated 1 and 3 Mathematics Teacher
Union High School
08.2008 - 01.2009
High School Teacher
De la Salle North Catholic High School
08.2005 - 06.2008
Professional Administrative Licensure program - Educational Leadership and Policy
Portland State University
Master of Arts - Teaching
Oregon State University
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
Southern Arkansas University
Diploma - Health Occupations
Benson Polytechnic High School
Doctor of Business Administration - Organizational Leadership
Concordia University
Doctor of Education - Transformational Leadership
Concordia University