ZADA CLAUSEN
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Results-oriented education professional with a passion for student success, seeking a dynamic role in sales and account management within the higher education sector. Leveraging a strong foundation in student counseling, academic advising, and program management, possesses a proven ability to build rapport, understand customer needs, and deliver exceptional service. Proven track record in achieving goals, managing complex projects, and driving positive outcomes. Eager to apply interpersonal skills, data analysis capabilities, and strategic thinking to contribute to a fast-paced sales environment while advancing equity and access in higher education.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Counseling Assistant, College Center (Part-Time)
Theodore Roosevelt High School
02.2024 - 06.2024
- Built and nurtured relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders including students, parents, administrators, and faculty, ensuring alignment on post-secondary planning and support services.
- Facilitated the onboarding and support of 150+ students and families through the Federal Student Aid application process, clearly communicating complex financial information and guiding them to make informed decisions about scholarships and financial aid options.
- Utilized education SaaS tools to deliver targeted academic advising and career counseling, enhancing student preparedness and skill development through both virtual and in-person sessions.
- Conducted virtual and in-person consultations with school staff, coaching them on best practices for delivering college readiness and career exploration workshops, ensuring alignment with educational goals and monitoring progress through data-driven reports.
- Coordinated and executed key college and career events such as financial aid workshops, campus visits, and academic award ceremonies, leading to increased student participation and engagement.
- Managed the Dual Enrollment program in partnership with a local community college, overseeing the admission process and ensuring seamless integration and success for students in the program.
- Developed and delivered workshops focused on academic achievement, college preparation, and career exploration, consistently tracking and reporting student engagement and outcomes via the LAUSD SaaS platform.
School Counseling Grad Intern, Academic Counseling
Los Angeles Unified School District, LAUSD
08.2023 - 04.2024
- Provided tailored academic counseling, program management, and support to students, assisting them in course selection, educational planning, and goal setting to maximize their academic success and future opportunities.
- Monitoring and analyzed student progress to ensure alignment with educational goals and timely achievement of milestones.
- Assessed school, district and state student learning outcomes and managed compliance with these standards, ensuring a clear understanding requirements for graduation.
- Consulted with stakeholders to facilitate wrap around service meetings, ensuring collaboration among key teams and departments closing the feedback loop to enhance campus wide student support initiatives.
- Connected students and families to essential resources via monthly communication and quarterly presentations to address barriers to education ensuring comprehensive support.
- Provided translation services for Spanish-speaking parents to ensure effective communication and support for implementation of 504 Plans and IEPs.
Senior Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Advising
USC Annenberg
05.2022 - 01.2023
- Managed a portfolio of 678 undergraduate students, providing expert guidance on degree requirements, course selection, and career planning to ensure alignment with their academic and professional goals, driving student satisfaction and retention.
- Developed and executed customized educational plans for over 400 students, offering tailored advisement strategies which resulted in enhanced client engagement and success for Communications, Journalism, and Public Relations programs.
- Led cross-functional program management for mandatory advisement cycles and Department Honors Programs, collaborating closely with faculty, students, and administration to optimize processes to consistently meet program objectives.
- Oversaw the coordination of commencement eligibility lists, partnering with event planning and communications teams to ensure seamless execution, high client satisfaction, and successful event outcomes.
- Facilitated onboarding and orientation sessions for new and graduating students, clearly communicating program requirements and ensuring a smooth transition, which bolstered client trust and loyalty.
Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Advising
USC Leventhal School of Accounting
01.2019 - 05.2022
- Managed a portfolio of 360 undergraduate students, providing tailored advisement and strategic guidance on academic and career pathways, ensuring alignment with their goals and enhancing student success and graduation outcomes.
- Designed and executed onboarding and development programs including the Leventhal Success Mentorship Program (LSMP), for new and pre-accounting students, driving higher engagement and retention, and ensuring a smooth transition into academic life.
- Developed and launched strategic community-building initiatives, including the Leventhal Transfer Program (LTP), fostering a strong sense of belonging and improving retention metrics via consistent, high-touch support.
- Supervised and mentored a team of 20-30 Peer Mentors, leading a six-week engagement initiative, improving student satisfaction, and industry recruitment outcomes through customized support and continuous relationship management. Reinforcing the value of the program for all stakeholders.
- Led candidate evaluation and selection for the Leventhal Scholarship Committee, ensuring the recognition of top talent and contributing to the overall success and reputation of the program.
Academic Advisor, Student Affairs
CSUDH Encounter to Excellence
10.2014 - 12.2019
- Advised a cohort of 125 first-year students each semester, focusing on retention strategies for those requiring remediation, on academic probation, or undergoing admissions appeals and tracked success markers and reported on program completion.
- Analyzed student learning outcomes through data collection and assessment, supporting annual benchmark progress reporting and grant funding.
- Supervised and trained peer mentors and Graduate Interns to provide peer-support and enhance comprehensive counseling services.
- Provided leadership development and training for peer mentors and Graduate Interns, utilizing strengths assessments to identify individual strengths and create tailored development plans, thereby enhancing the support received by each advising cohort.
- Facilitated lesson plans for incoming freshmen in the Summer Bridge program, focusing on college readiness in English and Math, as well as Social Emotional Learning topics to bolster student matriculation.
- Analyzed data and evaluated student needs for remediation, academic disqualification, and admission appeals, significantly improving the retention of Summer Bridge students.
- Led cross-functional collaboration in campus and departmental task forces, via workshops and trainings. Contributing to programmatic and institutional objectives. Key initiatives included the implementation of the Toro Dreamer’s Success Center and the CSUDH Women's Retreat and Conference.
Education
Master of Education - Educational Counseling
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA05.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Politics and Latin American/Latino Studies
University of California
Santa Cruz, CA12.2010
Skills
- Expert in developing and executing retention strategies
- Proficient in assessing and reporting on performance metrics
- Strong collaborator with a track record of cross-functional teamwork
- Experienced in leadership development and supervision
- Adept at data-driven analysis and reporting for continuous improvement
- Proven success in building and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders
- Exceptional ability in ensuring client satisfaction and long-term partnership success
- Technical Proficiency in Salesforce, MS Office, Teams, Slack, LinkedIn Navigator, SaaS Platforms: Google Workspace, Zoom, Canvas, Schoology, Clever,
Accomplishments
Presented at national professional conferences & associations between 2014 - 2018 like the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), and National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA).
Languages
Spanish
Full Professional
Timeline
Counseling Assistant, College Center (Part-Time)
Theodore Roosevelt High School
02.2024 - 06.2024
School Counseling Grad Intern, Academic Counseling
Los Angeles Unified School District, LAUSD
08.2023 - 04.2024
Senior Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Advising
USC Annenberg
05.2022 - 01.2023
Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Advising
USC Leventhal School of Accounting
01.2019 - 05.2022
Academic Advisor, Student Affairs
CSUDH Encounter to Excellence
10.2014 - 12.2019
Master of Education - Educational Counseling
University of Southern California
Bachelor of Arts - Politics and Latin American/Latino Studies
University of California
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