Burel Ford

7910 N. 88th Lane Glendale, AZ 85305

Burelf52@q.com * (623) 772-0250
EDUCATION - Master of Public Affairs, Park University - 2002
Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences (Criminal Justice), Michigan State
University - 1979
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
9/2008 - 6/2009: NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY, FLAGSTAFF, AZ
Director of the Multicultural Student Center (1-yr contract not renewed amid bud
get cuts)
* Directed STAR program (Successful Transition & Academic Readiness), a summer b
ridge program serving 175 low-income, first-generation students of color
* Supervised 3 program coordinators, and oversaw the coordination of 8 instructo
rs, 5 peer advisors, 3 resident assistants, & 8 supplemental lab instructors
* Planned monthly Leadership Development Series on Careers in Public Service:
* Guests were some of the best minds in their professions e.g. Law Enforcement O
fficers, Not-for Profit Leaders, State & Federal Employees, & Higher Education P
rofessionals
* Oversight of academic eligibility of STAR students throughout school year. Pr
ovided 1:1 academic & personal counseling to a caseload of at-risk students, as
well as supervising other advisors
* Performed empirical analysis of needs using researched data on national trends
, professional experience and consultation with faculty and staff
* Provided academic advising: 375 at-risk students from diverse backgrounds and
academic abilities
* Supervised programs of 200+ cultural heritage celebrations, including presenta
tions & receptions
* Worked in partnership with key staff, faculty to coordinate STAR courses, Resi
dence Life, Activities
* Weekly recruitment of prospective students during on-campus visits with tours,
presentations
* Disseminated informational material to prospective students and other targeted
contacts
* Worked collaboratively with Admissions Office to plan and develop recruitment
objectives. Implemented and evaluated efforts thereof via metrics
* In charge of students with admission and registration for STAR and assignment
of peer advisors
* Conducted information sessions, tours of the Center, and phone-a-thons
* Maintained student electronic files and records/ Developed reports, maintained
data
* Advised four student activities groups with bi-weekly interdisciplinary progra
ms
* Conducted training sessions for eight student advisors and their student activ
ities groups
* Met with struggling students to determine plans for improvement, using multipl
e motivational techniques coupled with skill-building goal setting. Linked stude
nts with tutors, monitored results
* Mentored students regarding all aspects of their transitions to college life
* Conducted recruitment interviews & orientation prospective students, parents &
school counselors
* Linked students with campus resources, Assisted students with resolving academ
ic issues
* Served as member of student action retention committee
* Educated students about University and program-level academic policies and pro
cedures
8/2004 - 9/2008: GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY, NEWBERG, OR
Office of Student Life: Director of Multicultural Services
* Planned, organized and executed 200+ cultural student enrichment programs
* Conducted Pre-Orientation Retreats for students to acclimate them to campus an
d college life
* Assisted with retention & recruitment of minority students, staff, and faculty
* Coordinated, scheduled, implemented, and conducted class visits, recruitment w
orkshops
* Facilitated 175+ trainings: Perspectives in Diversity with ratings of 8.5 out
of 10 on topics of race, gender, socio-economics, for faculty, staff & students
* Worked collaboratively with Admissions Office to plan and develop recruitment
objectives. Implemented and evaluated efforts thereof/Attended college fairs, pr
ovided presentations
* Coordinated leadership weekend retreats for 12 students, built sprit-de-corps,
focused on strengths
* Used conflict resolution skills and advocated for students facing cross-cultur
al conflicts
* Created, supervised interdisciplinary, student-led outreach in the community f
ocused on:
* Tutoring and mentoring of elementary students by 25 college students
* Conducted citizenship tests prep for 50 adult legal immigrants. Collaboration
w/library
* Co-advised social justice advocacy group who led 30 discussions on issues e.g.
abuse, genocide, AIDS, racism, etc
* MLK Day: Working at Homeless shelters, scheduling speakers, other on-campus ev
ents
* Mentored three student clubs and managed $12,000 annual budget
* Supervised work study students - assigning them special service learning/co-cu
rricular projects
* Writing and Publishing Workbooks for diversity training
* Researching and inputting information for the Virtual Women's Center
* Advised 4 student activities groups w/bi-weekly programs, teaching/applying le
adership principles
* Advised students in a multicultural on-campus residence, & supported monthly o
utreach programs
* Collaborated with faculty for over 100 student-led co-curricular programs
* Linked students with appropriate campus resources
* Served as member of student action retention committee which led to a retentio
n rate of 92%
- Department of Political Science: Adjunct Faculty for Public Administration c
ourse
8/2002 to 8/2004: The PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY PARK, PA
- Counselor for Academic Success, Comprehensive Studies Program - Dept of Educa
tional Equity
* Academic advising & counseling caseload of 150 students
* Evaluated transfer credit from academic institutions for course equivalencies.
* Conducted Pre-Orientation Retreats for students to acclimate them to campus an
d college life
* Worked collaboratively as a liaison for students, faculty staff on issues rela
ted to academic success
* Approved programs of study for graduation requirements
* Maintained student electronic files and records on shared servers, Prospect Da
tabase. Documented all pertinent information; saves/updates student computer rec
ords
* Approved and verified proposed changes to programs and assists students in the
ir completion
* Determined if all requirements e.g. GE, major, grade point average, and total
units are met
* Served on the planning committee for a cross-cultural mentoring program of 45
students. Matched them with leaders in business, civic, and not-for-profit field
s for internships/mentoring.
o Conducted 12-week leadership course prior to assigning students to their proje
cts
* Presented bi-monthly workshops on various topics, including:
o Multiculturalism appreciation/Cross-cultural relationships among peers and fac
ulty
o Post-graduate education, financial aid, and career options
o Study skills and time management; stress management / health
* Conducted Academic progress reviews with students & faculty throughout semeste
r
* Worked collaboratively w/ Admissions Office: plan and develop recruitment obje
ctives. Implemented and evaluated efforts thereof
* Met with struggling students to determine plans for improvement, using multipl
e motivational techniques coupled with skill-building goal setting. Linked stude
nts with tutors, monitored results
* Followed student progress toward graduation. Assisted with ongoing advising an
d course selection
* Mentored students regarding their transition to college
* Assisted students with admission and registration
* Conducted recruitment interviews, orientation for prospective students, parent
s & school counselor
* Linked students with appropriate campus resources/assisted with resolving acad
emic issues
* Served as member of student action retention committee
* Informed students about and interpreted University and program level academic
policies
* Retained 95% of all students for the 2003-2004 school year with a 2.75 overall
cum GPA
7/1998 to 7/2002: PARK UNIVERSITY, PARKVILLE, MO
1/2000 to 5/2002: Financial Aid Specialist
* Responded to incoming calls / emails / in-person visits (approximately 40 / da
y)
* Counseled students on their academic progress and goals
* Assessed services needed for students and coordinated plans
* Advised students on all Financial Aid matters (student body: 18,000 in 2002)
* Counseled students on academic expectations especially as it related to Financ
ial Aid
* Maintained student electronic files and records on shared servers, Prospect Da
tabase, and the Electronic Advising Notebook. Documented all pertinent informati
on; saves/updates student computer records
7/1998 to 7/2002: Assistant Men's Basketball Coach/Academic Coordinator
* Recruitment of student athletes nationwide & internationally
* Monitored players' academic progress and conducted study groups
* 90% retention & graduation rates over the 4-year period
8/1996 to 7/1998: UNIVERSITY OF SAINT MARY, LEAVENWORTH, KS
Assistant Director of the Learning Center (part-time)
* Assisted students daily with reading, writing, time management & study skills
* Coordinated hiring, training, & supervising of 4 student tutors
* Interfaced with faculty & students on academic expectations
* Instituted a mentoring program of students-helping-students
* Counseled students on their academic progress and goals
* Assessed the services needed for students and coordinated plans
* Promoted the services in multiple venues & increased the usage by 100%
* Ordered and maintained all resources; increased resources 100%
Assistant Director of Residence Life (part-time)
* Supervised 12 Resident Assistants & 200 students in 2 residence halls
* Coordinated programs for academic support, student success (study skills, tim
e management, etc)
* Coordinated Work Study program & all extracurricular activities
* Conducted leadership workshops on crisis intervention & community building
* Led teams of students on leadership retreats and pre-orientation
* Monitored the security of the buildings; no incidents in two years
* Enforced regulations/discipline with students and RA staff as needed
* Assisted in devising departmental policies
Assistant Men's Basketball Coach (part-time)
* Scouted and recruited student athletes and their families nationally and inter
nationally
* Provided expert guidance for Admissions, Financial Aid & Business Offices proc
esses
* Coached and motivated players on the floor. Taught basketball fundamentals
* Provided proactive and interceptive methods to ensure academic success/retenti
on
* Monitored players' academic progress and conducted study groups
* Interfaced with faculty & students on academic expectations/counseled students
on their goals