Written Communication

As co-author and project manager of MCLA's 5 Year Interim Report for NECHE Accreditation, one of my tasks was to write the longest segment of the report: The Reflective Essay on Educational Effectiveness. demonstrates my strong written communication skills. This 16-page document showcases my ability to analyze complex educational concepts, synthesize data, and propose actionable recommendations. It presents a clear and concise evaluation of MCLA's achievements, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. For my work on the Interim Report and its subsequent acceptance by NECHE, I was awarded the 2018 MCLA Bowtie Award for outstanding service to the college.

As part of the team developing MCLA's 2019-2020 Equity Action Plan, I was tasked with distilling our work into a 2-page executive summary to present to the Executive Staff. Through my use of icons and bullet points, key ideas are visually emphasized, enhancing readability and comprehension. The summary clearly outlines the three main goals of the plan: Access, Equity & Opportunity; Employee Diversity & Inclusion; and Supportive & Inclusive Campus Environment. Additionally, it presents priority strategies and corresponding action steps, demonstrating my ability to articulate complex concepts concisely.

I created this guide during the initial release of the Coronavirus vaccine when demand far exceeded the local supply. The shortage was compounded by a complicated and bug-ridden online registration process. Resources aimed at helping people easily obtain vaccinations, including all the mass clinics, were at least a 90-minute drive from my community. Recognizing the resultant challenges faced by older and low-income community members, who were at the highest risk but often unable to secure appointments, I developed this short, comprehensive walk-through of the process. My guide was widely shared and utilized by community health and mutual aid groups throughout Berkshire County.

I wrote the PowerSchool User Guide for Parents to serve as a resource for parents and guardians of students at BART Charter School, providing them with step-by-step instructions on how to navigate and utilize the features of their PowerSchool account. With a focus on tracking grades, attendance, and obtaining assignment details, the guide effectively combines clear narrative instructions with illustrative, annotated screen shots. Students' families were able to easily follow along and maximize their understanding of PowerSchool's functionalities, enabling them to actively participate in their children's academic progress and facilitating effective communication between families and educational institutions.

As the Chair of the Policy Subcommittee for the Hoosac Valley Regional School Committee, I drafted the resolution to establish a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Group. The resolution synthesizes statements of our local values with MASC's suggested language around anti-racist resolutions while conforming to our district bylaws' mechanisms for forming special advisory committees. Unanimously approved by the School Committee and lauded by district leadership, the resolution highlights our district's dedication to providing students with equitable opportunities and promoting social justice. I continue to be involved with this initiative as board liaison to the Advisory Group.

I co-authored this proposal as part of MCLA's most recent Strategic Planning Initiative. Members of the MCLA community were encouraged to submit proposals for new initiatives which aligned with the goals of the Strategic Plan. In this collaboration with Prof. Ruby Vega, I supplemented the required application form outlining the logistical aspects of the proposal with a literature review demonstrating the scholarly basis for the alignment of our proposal with the Strategic Plan and an analysis of the practices of our competitor institutions. Our proposal was accepted and MCLA's first Center for Teaching & Learning was launched the following year.

In 2022, I was appointed to serve as Secretary of the Board of Directors for AALHE, the Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education. One of my tasks is to take minutes of our Board meetings. This document showcases my attention to detail and ability to accurately capture important discussions and decisions. By organizing information effectively, maintaining a clear writing style, and following professional formatting standards, I ensured that Board members and stakeholders had a comprehensive record of the meeting. The minutes provide a concise summary of agenda items, highlight key motions and outcomes, and include relevant appendices.