Professional Experience
United States Department of Education November 2015-November 2018
Program Analyst: Desegregation Assistance Centers and Washington D.C.
Comprehensive Centers
- Provided technical assistance to 22 organizations receiving grants to provide support for all states and territories, schools, and districts to improve educational outcomes for students (approximately $55 million grant funds per year).
- Provided technical assistance to 4 organizations receiving grants to assist with problems in schools occasioned by desegregation in all parts of the US (approximately $6.5 million grant funds per year).
- Evaluated the impact of these organizations by analyzing how their strategies for intervention consider political environments, quantitative data, and stakeholder engagement including consultation with education professionals, families, and community organizations.
- Developed and refined grant programs through the design of program logic models and service delivery models that guide the implementation of these grants.
- Analyzed data for trends in request for assistance in desegregation of schools and requests for improvement in processes at the State Education Agency level.
- Nominated to represent the Hispanic workers of a 4,000-person workforce as Treasurer of the Hispanic Employees Council.
Envision May 2015-August 2015
Program Coordinator Vienna, VA
- Responsible for on-site implementation of three 8-day National Youth Leadership Forums focusing on business innovation with over 700 students participating.
- Supervised operations team, office manager and scholar relations team totaling 13 members.
Hector Gonzalez Adolescent Residential Treatment Center December 2014-March 2015
Youth Development Specialist San Antonio, TX
- Supervised the security and conduct of a ward of 30 female students with behavioral issues.
- Facilitated discussion groups and social and emotional development workshops for students as part of therapeutic treatment.
- Responded to emergency situations using de-escalation techniques and first-aid techniques.
U.S. Peace Corps June 2012-August 2014
Educational Programs Advisor Tigray, Ethiopia
- Improved the capacity of locals to deliver effective English and health education programs.
- Developed and maintained relationships with 6 primary and secondary schools and with local government officials to promote grassroots projects and workshops.
- Used qualitative research methods as a research aid for a study conducted by Save the Children, titled WATER, HYGIENE AND SANITATION (WASH) IN RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN AMHARA, OROMIA, SNNP AND TIGRAY A report on the findings and recommendations of a multi-method qualitative research study for social and behavior change communication programming in Ethiopia:
https://ethiopia.savethechildren.net/sites/ethiopia.savethechildren.net/files/WASH%20Lo%20Res.pdf
- Developed and facilitated training for first-time local camp counselors to participate in summer camps focused on gender equity.
- Implemented HIV prevention and education programs reaching over 150 students.
- Promoted and represented diversity within the Peace Corps by serving on the Cross Culture Committee.
Sue Duncan Children’s Center June 2009 –March 2012
Tutor Chicago, IL
- Provided education services to underserved families on the Southside of Chicago including tutoring, mentorship, and college and career prep.
- Taught Reading and Math skills to children between the ages of 5 and 17.
- Worked one-on-one with high school students to teach Physics and Calculus lessons.
Education
American University August 2018-Present
- Masters in Public Anthropology
The University of Chicago September 2007-June 2011
- Bachelor of Arts Anthropology
- Minor Human Rights
- Produced a documentary film titled The Little Guys Are Gone, focusing on the significance of locally owned businesses in the Southside of Chicago: https://vimeo.com/243238569
Internships
Unite Here Local 1 June 2009- Sept 2009
Research Assistant Chicago, IL
- Researched vendors who placed bids to operate at O’Hare national airports for history of unfair labor practices.
- Participated in strike against Congress Hotel along with hotel workers demanding better pay and benefits.
Skills
- Fluent in Spanish (reading and writing); conversational Tigrinya and Amharic.
- Skilled photographer with a strong interest in documentary photography and portraiture.
- Proficient in use of Microsoft Access and Excel for analyzing large sets of data.