EDUCATION
Doctor of Philosophy, Education, Department of Curricular and Instructional Studies, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio (2011)
Specialization: Higher Education
Cognate: Women’s Studies
Dissertation: Motivation and Strategies for Learning in Traditional-Aged College Students: An Exploratory Study—this quantitative study utilized the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire to examine the relationship of goal orientation, task value, control of learning beliefs, self-efficacy, test anxiety, metacognitive self-regulation, effort regulation, management of time and study environment, help-seeking, peer learning, organization, rehearsal, elaboration, and critical thinking to student success and retention.
Committee: Dr. Raymond Cox III, Dr. Catharine Knight (chair), Dr. Xin Liang, Dr. Susan Olson, Dr. Lynne Pachnowski
Master of Arts, College Student Personnel, Bowling Green State University, Ohio (1997)
Master of Arts, Guidance & Counseling, Bowling Green State University, Ohio (1997)
Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan (1995)
Semester Abroad in India, School for International Training, Brattleboro, Vermont (Fall 1994)
Additional Training & Coursework
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Professional Qualifying Program & Applications Workshop: qualified to administer and interpret the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator through 40-hour training program (2002). Master Practitioner status (2017).
Phi Theta Kappa Leadership Development Studies: achieved certified faculty status to teach Leadership Development Studies, an integrated, humanities-based curriculum for leadership development (2006).
University of Akron Terrific Teachers for Today and Tomorrow (T4) program: participated in yearlong series of workshops and seminars on effective teaching methods and evaluation of student learning in higher education (2001-2002).
ADVISING, COUNSELING, & MENTORING EXPERIENCE
Assistant Director of Honors and Fellowship Advising, Westminster College, Salt Lake City, UT
February 2017-present
- Advising incoming and on-going students in major selection, institutional policy and procedures, academic skills and course scheduling
- Provide leadership and training to Honors Peer Mentors
- Coordinate orientation and on-going first year seminar sessions for the Honors College
- Oversee budgeting and purchasing processes
- Support faculty in teaching, textbook adoptions and fellowship advising
Student Success Advocate, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
February 2013-January 2017
- Engage, counsel, and advise new, transfer and continuing students, linking them to campus opportunities to enhance their academic program, promote integration into campus community, and assist in retention efforts
- Collaborate with colleagues to develop and establish Student Success & Empowerment Initiative (SSEI)
- Initiated and coordinate Student Success Outreach Ambassador program
- Serve as SSEI liaison to and cultivate partnerships with College of Engineering, College of Education, and College of Architecture and Planning
- Serve as SSEI liaison to and cultivate partnerships with Honors College, International Scholar and Student Services, Personal Money Management Center, Center for Learning Abroad, New Student and Family Programs, and the LEAP learning community program
- Served as liaison to Global Citizenship, Entrepreneurship and Society, and Arts and Science Block U learning communities
- Recruited potential students through participation in Bringing the U to You events in Los Angeles, San Diego, Boise and Portland
- Promoted to coordinator responsibilities: supervising colleagues, assisting with assessment, and planning professional development sessions
Mentor, Women’s Mentoring Program, ACSD National Conference, Nampa, Idaho
June 2013-June 2014
- Matched with 2 younger professionals, shared life stories and perspectives, and reviewed resumés and job application documents in months following conference
Advisor, Student Government Association, Ivy Tech Community College, Marion, Indiana
April 2006-June 2007
- Advised and trained Student Government Association, facilitating goal-setting and revision of by-laws and overseeing events and elections
Mentor, Leadership Academy, Ivy Tech Community College, Marion, Indiana
August 2006-May 2007
- Served as mentor to three Marion campus participants in statewide Leadership Academy
Student Organization Advisor, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio
August 2000-July 2003-- Graduate Assistantship
- Served as resource for 200+ student organizations in problem-solving and student organization registration process
- Advised students through the process of starting, establishing and maintaining new student groups
- Cooperated with teams of staff and students to design and implement leadership workshops and annual Student Leadership Academy
- Promoted student involvement in campus life through planning and implementing fall and spring Activities Fairs
- Initiated and coordinated service-learning mini-grants program for student organizations and faculty
- Supervised Master’s student in leadership development internship (Fall 2002)
Small Group Leader, Oelschlager Summer Leadership Institute, University of Akron
Summers 2002 & 2003
- Facilitated small groups of high school students through service projects, initiative games, and low-ropes course as part of summer bridge program
- Conducted individual interpretation of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator for 40+ students
Senior Counselor, Pine Springs Camp, Jennerstown, Pennsylvania
Summers 1999 & 2000
- Met weekly with 9-11 college students serving as camp counselors to discuss life and work experiences, facilitate personal growth, and provide support
Counseling Intern, Heidelberg College Counseling Center
Spring 1997
- Counseled students in formal, supervised, therapeutic counseling setting
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE
Associate Dean for Residence Life, Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, Indiana
July 2007-September 2012
- Selected, trained and supervised 6-10 fulltime, professional Resident Directors and provided oversight for 7-12 residence halls, apartment complexes and living areas
- Contributed to on-going development and implementation of strategic plan for Residence Life department during period of growth and change
- Provided oversight of 6-10 residence hall operations and student wage budgets, ranging from $26,000 to $93,000 each, ensuring integrity in record-keeping and mission fit of expenditures
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop departmental mission statement and learning objectives to guide all aspects of programming and policy development
- Coordinated selection, training and development programs for 120 paraprofessional staff and 75 front desk workers
- Initiated and implemented the development of a comprehensive policy and procedure manual for Residence Life department
- Improved front desk procedures to ensure profitable operations in compliance with state laws and university regulations
- Assisted in the development and implementation of living-learning communities in the residence halls
- Guided staff in interpretation and response to yearly assessment results in effort to improve student engagement in and satisfaction with residential living experience
Admissions Advisor, Ivy Tech Community College, Marion, Indiana
April 2006-June 2007
- Guided implementation of new admissions process, strengthening collaboration between departments and staff on Marion campus
- Recruited students through high school visits, tabling, presentations and participation in community events and coordinated orientation program for new students
- Initiated Student Admissions Ambassadors program and hired, trained, and supervised first cohort of Student Ambassadors
Director of Residence Life, Sheldon Jackson College, Sitka, Alaska
August 2003-May 2005
- Coordinated all aspects of student and guest housing on campus
- Selected, trained, supervised, and developed skills of professional, paraprofessional, and volunteer staff
- Established and maintained living-learning environments with a strong sense of community
- Adjudicated student conduct cases and designed educational sanctions for students
- Created and implemented theme housing opportunities for students
Assistant Dean/Resident Director, Malone College, Canton, Ohio
August 1997-May 2000
- Initiated, promoted and directed two theme housing opportunities for College Hill residence hall: the Women’s Studies Floor and the Connections Floor
- Designed hall leadership structure to create new opportunities and enhance leadership skills
- Provided duty coverage on a rotating basis for a residential campus of over 1000 students
- Supervised 5 resident assistants and 10 desk receptionists in women’s residence hall of 200 residents
Assistant Director of Student Activities, Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio
August 1996-May 1997 --Collateral Assignment for 2nd year of Graduate Assistantship
- Advised, trained, and organized 22-member College Campus Program Board
- Assisted students with management of $35,000 budget, producing 50 campus-wide programs annually
Assistant Director of Residence Life, Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio
August 1995-May 1996 --Collateral Assignment for 1st year of Graduate Assistantship
- Designed and coordinated resident assistant selection process and spring training sessions
- Coordinated and encouraged system-wide programming efforts of resident assistants
- Published monthly newsletter for Residence Life staff
Residence Coordinator, Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio
August 1995-May 1997 -- Graduate Assistantship
- Selected, trained, supervised, and evaluated 6-11 resident assistants in hall of 160 residents
- Adjudicated student conduct cases and designed educational sanctions for students
- Advised residence hall council, counseled residents, and mediated conflict situations
Practicum Experience, Student Activities, Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio
Spring 1997
- Envisioned and implemented weekend leadership training conference for Greek organization and student club leaders, promoting leadership transition between academic years
TEACHING & PRESENTING EXPERIENCE
Graduate Courses Taught:
- ELP 6620: College Student Development Theory, Educational Leadership and Policy, University of Utah (Fall 2013, Spring 2015, Fall 2015, Fall 2017)—Guided graduate students in understanding, exploring and applying student development theories with an emphasis on becoming effective scholar-practitioners
- ELP 6520-7520: Leadership in Student Affairs, Educational Leadership and Policy, University of Utah (Fall 2014)—Facilitate critical analysis and application of leadership theories, strategies for leading change, and building of leadership skills for future higher education leaders
- HED 591: Leadership and Change, Master of Arts in Higher Education, Geneva College (Winter Institute 2015; Summer Institute 2015)-- Facilitate critical analysis and application of leadership theories, strategies for leading change, and building of leadership skills for future higher education leaders
- Guest Facilitator, ELP 6550-7550: Introduction to Student Affairs Administration, Educational Leadership and Policy, University of Utah (Fall 2014) – Facilitated two class sessions designed to prepare students for writing and research at the graduate level
- Thesis Advisor: Kelly Scott Slippey, Geneva College Master of Arts in Higher Education; Lucas Sutter, Geneva College Master of Arts in Higher Education
Undergraduate Courses Taught:
- LDRSP 4750: Leadership Capstone: Reflections on Leadership, Leadership Studies Minor, University of Utah (Spring 2015; Spring 2016, Spring 2017)—Designed and facilitated integrative, reflective course for students in the Leadership minor
- Becoming World Changers Discussion Sections, Indiana Wesleyan University (Fall 2007, Spring 2008-transfer section, Fall 2009-2 sections, Spring 2009-transfer section, Fall 2010)—Collaborated with student facilitator to promote critical thinking and analysis of ideas discussed in large group lectures and promote a sense of personal connection to the mission and goals of the university community
- Applied Learning Techniques, Taylor University (Spring 2006-2 sections)—Facilitated student examination of learning styles, educational objectives and motivation and assisted students in creating individual learning plans and selecting and using effective study techniques
- First Year Seminar, Sheldon Jackson College (Fall 2003, Fall 2004)—Led small groups of students in interactive activities and discussions concerning college life topics and issues
- University Orientation 101, University of Akron (Fall 2000, Fall 2001, Fall 2002)—Guided discussions and activities around relevant issues for first-year students during weekly class sessions to aid in the students’ transitions to college life, enhance academic success, and promote healthy life choices
- The College Experience, Malone College (Fall 1997, Fall 1998, Fall 1999)—Facilitated day of initiative activities on low ropes course and weekly class session for 20+ student each year
- Career & Life Planning, Bowling Green State University (Spring 1998)—Selected to teach career planning theories and strategies to sophomore students
Professional Conference Presentations
- Enacting a New Student Development Model to Support Student Success, NASPA, San Antonio, Texas (2017)
- Student Success Advocates: Making Holistic Connections with Students to Enhance Success, NASPA, Indianapolis, Indiana (2016)
- Connecting with Students Where They Are: Student Success Advocates, ACSD National Conference, Bethel University, St. Paul, Minnesota (2014)
- Ensuring Student Success through Student Advocates, NASPA Western Regional Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah (2013)
- Cultivating Skill & Will for College Student Success, ACSD National Conference, Taylor University, Upland, Indiana (2012)
- What in the World are We Doing?, Great Lakes Association of College and University Housing Officers Conference, Grand Rapids, Michigan (1999)
- Oh, the Places You’ll Go: Pursuing a Career in Student Affairs, National Association of Campus Activities, Great Lakes Regional Conference (1996)
Workshops and Sessions
- “I’ve Got This!”:Inspiring Self-Confidence in Those You Lead and Mentor, Peer Mentor Institute, University of Utah
- Student Development Theory: What It Is & How to Use It, Office of the Registrar Professional Staff Development, University of Utah; Student Affairs Academy, Weber State University
- Being the Leader Your Followers Need: Insights from the Situational Approach to Leadership, Learning to Lead Conference, University of Utah
- Your Ticket to Success, International Student & Scholar Services Orientation, University of Utah
- Strengths Finder Interpretation and Application, Beacon Scholars Program, Office of Community Engagement, University of Utah
- Panelist, Current Issues in Student Development Panel, ACSD Regional Drive-In Conference
- MBTI Interpretation Workshop, Sheldon Jackson College, University of Akron, Malone College
- Admissions Workshop, Ivy Tech Community College, Marion Campus (presented weekly for 14 months)
- Ethics in Leadership, Ivy Tech Community College Region 6 Leadership Academy
- Articulating a Vision, Ivy Tech Community College Region 6 Leadership Academy, Ball State University Career Development Staff
- Steps to Effective Programs, Indiana Wesleyan University, Sheldon Jackson College, University of Findlay, Heidelberg College
- People Skills: Listening, Confronting and Otherwise Communicating, Pine Springs Camp Staff Orientation
- Time Management 101: Making the Most of the Hours in Your Day, University of Akron, Sheldon Jackson College
- Community Development 101, Malone College
- Stressed Backwards Spells DESSERTS!, Northwest Ohio Area Deans RA Drive-In Conference
- The Career Development of Women: Breaking Through Barriers, Heidelberg College, Malone College
GLOBAL & LOCAL SERVICE INVOLVEMENT
Licensed Therapeutic Foster Parent, Catholic Community Services, Salt Lake City, Utah
May 2016-present
- Completed training to serve as foster parent for refugee youth coming to Utah as Unaccompanied Minors.
Instructor, Client Advocate Orientation, Life Care Centers of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
May 2014 & August 2014
- Conducted 12-hour training seminars on listening and counseling skills to prepare volunteers to assist clients in finding needed resources and support
Youth Mentor, Project Leadership, Marion, Indiana
October 2007-September 2012
- Served as a mentor for high school age youth, providing academic assistance, personal support and enrichment activities to prepare them for college
- Assisted mentee in preparing speech for U.S. Senator-sponsored youth event in Indianapolis
Host Parent, International Student Exchange, Babylon, New York
Fall 2005-Spring 2012
- Provided stable, caring, home environment for 7 high school-aged international students during semester or year-long exchange program in the United States
Host Parent, Grant County Police Department Cultural Exchange Program, Marion, Indiana
Spring 2008
- Welcomed Russian youth from Marion’s sister city of Vladimir to our home for two-week cultural immersion program
Founding Board Member, Acacia Academy, Kokomo, Indiana
Fall 2008-September 2012
- Envisioned, planned and advised development of K-8 school with classical curriculum
- Substitute taught on occasion in the absence of teachers
Volunteer Weekly Director, Pine Springs Camp, Jennerstown, Pennsylvania
Multiple Summers
- Designed and led week of theme-based experiential activities designed to develop character in children and teens
Project Coordinator, Rio Grande Border Service-Learning Project, Texas-Mexico border Spring 2001
- Designed and implemented weeklong service-learning experience for University of Akron students, investigating immigration and commerce issues along U.S. border with Mexico
Project Co-leader, The Pittsburgh Project, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Spring 2000 (Malone College students) & 2001 (University of Akron students)
- Coordinated groups of students for participation in urban development service-learning weekend
Staff Leader, Malone College Spring Break Service-Learning Project, Dominican Republic
Spring 1999
- Assisted in construction of women and children’s center with team of 14 college students
Summer English Program Instructor, Shandong Medical University, Jinan, China
Summer 1998
- Instructed large and small groups of students in conversational English and various cultural traditions represented in North America
Staff Leader, Malone College Spring Break Service-Learning Project, Ecuador Spring 1998
· Raised over $21,000 with group of 14 students to spend week assisting Quechua people group in building project
HONORS & AWARDS
Nominee, Perlman Award for Excellence in Student Counseling, University of Utah (2016)—nominated by colleagues for recognition for work as Student Success Advocate
Dream Maker Award, Project Leadership Mentoring Program, Marion, Indiana (2011)—recognized for five years’ service as a mentor to local high school youth
Research Grant, ACSD (2010)—awarded grant funding to support research on student success
Fellow, Advancing Women’s Leadership, Indiana Wesleyan University (2008-2009)—selected to participate in learning retreats, educational seminars, and mentoring relationship for women leaders at the university. Mentor: Dr. Sharon Drury, Professor, Graduate Studies in Leadership, Indiana Wesleyan University
Community Service Director Fellowship, Ohio Campus Compact (2002)—awarded $7000 grant to initiate service-learning program for University of Akron campus; participated in Campus Compact National Summit and contributed to development of white paper on the value of service-learning and role of community service directors
Outstanding Graduate Assistant, Student Affairs, University of Akron (2002)—selected for recognition by Vice President of Student Affairs for exemplary service to University of Akron students during graduate assistantship in the Office of Student Development
COMMITTEE INVOLVEMENT
- Bookstore Committee, Westminster College, (June 2017-present)
- University Student Apartments Resident Council Advisory Board, University of Utah (August 2015-January 2017)
- Professional Development Team, ACSD (June 2014-present)
- Curriculum Integration Committee, Indiana Wesleyan University Academic Affairs (2011- 2012)
- Desk Operations Committee, Indiana Wesleyan University (2009-2012)
- Residence Life Professional Development Committee, Indiana Wesleyan University (2011-2012)
- Student Staff Selection Committee, Indiana Wesleyan University (2009-2012)
- Student Staff Development Committee, Indiana Wesleyan University (2009-2012)
- Scholarship Selection Committee, Sheldon Jackson College (Spring 2004)
- First Year Experience Task Force, Institute for Teaching and Learning, University of Akron (2002-2003)
- Resources Learning Community, Student Affairs, University of Akron (2002-2003)
- Conference Program Committee, Great Lakes Association of College & University Housing Officers (1996-98)
- Resident Assistant Training Team, Malone College (1995-1997)
- Dean of Students Search Committee, Malone College (Spring 1996)
· Planning Committee, Heidelberg College Women Student Leadership Conference (1996-97)
· Judicial Procedures Committee, Heidelberg College (1995-96)
PUBLICATION
Santarosa, S.V. & Bergerson, A.A., Meeting students where they are: Student success at a large flagship university. In M. Frederick, M., P. A. Sasso & J. Maldonado (Eds.) (in press). The dynamic student development meta-theory: A new model for student success. New York, NY: Peter Lang Publishing.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
NCHC (2017)
NASPA (2013-present)
ACSD (1997-present)
AC (1995-20)
Great Lakes ACUHO (1995-2000; 2009-2011)