Armando Carignan Palacios
National City, CA
Summary
Equity-minded adjunct counselor at SDCCE’s Immigrant Support Program, supporting immigrant and undocumented students. Holds a Master’s in College Counseling from Point Loma Nazarene University and is an SDICCA fellowship graduate. Since 2020, has served as a counselor, program assistant, and volunteer, fostering student success and equity. Committed to strength-based counseling, culturally responsive education, and empowering students to achieve their goals.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Adjunct Counselor
San Diego College of Continuing Education
05.2024 - Current
- Provided student-centered counseling for academic, personal, and career success.
- Designed and led equity-focused workshops on financial aid, careers, and well-being.
- Advocated for underrepresented students, assisting with enrollment and financial aid.
- Collaborated with faculty, staff, and community partners to enhance student support.
- Connected students to academic resources, addressing financial and personal barriers.
- Advised students on course selection, educational planning, and graduation progress.
- Assisted with FAFSA, California Dream Act, and Promise scholarship applications.
- Stayed updated on best practices in counseling and student success.
- Supported HiSET/GED prep, including study planning and test navigation.
- Guided students through foreign credential evaluations.
- Advised on AB540/AB68 for in-state tuition eligibility.
University Professor
Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC, Mx
02.2024 - 07.2024
- Fostered class discussions through open-ended questions and participation tracking.
- Improved comprehension with real-world examples and case studies.
- Taught Lateral Thinking & New Business, covering creativity, innovation, and business models.
- Supported two groups of 30 or more students.
Project Assistant
San Diego College of Continuing Education
02.2021 - 05.2024
- Lead bilingual (English/Spanish) Zoom meetings and presentations.
- Support immigrant and undocumented students in navigating education.
- Design and deliver in-person and virtual ISP workshops.
- Manage WhatsApp groups sharing real-time student resources (300+ members).
- Assist the CE-ISP Counselor/Coordinator in coordinating student support.
- Develop ISP forums, recruitment presentations, and informational materials.
- Organized and support ISP workshops, forums, and scholarship sessions.
- Lead ISP student volunteer groups for community development.
- Provided bilingual community service agency sessions.
- Assisted students with FAFSA, college, and Dream Act applications.
- Supported students with the San Diego Promise Scholarship.
Volunteer
San Diego College of Continuing Education
04.2020 - 02.2021
- Supported lead counselor with setting up weekly bilingual (English/Spanish) Zoom meetings and created presentations.
- Helped immigrant adult students with different immigration status in navigating the education system at SDCCE.
- Created powerpoint presentations for in-person and virtual workshops on ISP topics.
- Created and managed two WhatsApp groups sharing real-time student resources for 20 members each.
- Initiated and taught an HSE Math tutorial group.
- Assisted the CE-ISP Counselor/Coordinator in engaging with student population.
- Develop ISP Student Community informational flyers.
- Helped to create the Immigrant Support Program and logo.
Security Manager/Fraud Investigator
Citibanamex
03.2005 - 09.2019
- Managed CCTV, alarms, and fire systems across bank locations.
- Tested security systems with the Command Center.
On-call 24/7 for security incidents and alarms. - Responded to suspicious activities and emergencies.
- Conducted risk assessments for branches, buildings, and ATMs.
- Worked with management to prevent security issues.
- Trained staff on emergency security procedures.
- Led safety training sessions for employees.
- Ensured compliance with security protocols.
- Conducted safety and security self-audits.
- Supervised and coached employees on emergency drills.
- Provided executive protection support.
- Assisted Citigroup CEO and high-profile client security.
- Managed security for executive visits.
- Secured annual events with top executives for Citigroup.
- Investigated fraud and criminal activities for the bank.
Education
Master of Arts - Counseling And Guidance
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, California01.2023
Bachelor’s Degree - Law
UABC University of Baja California
01.1998
Skills
- Fluent in English and Spanish
- Positive professional attitude
- Dedicated Work Ethic
- Collaborative Team Member
- Effective communication
- Team oriented
- Analytical Research Skills
- Report writing
- Effective Presentation Skills
- Problem solving
- Critical Thinking Skills
- Proficiency in Word
- Proficiency in PowerPoint
- Proficiency in Excel
- Positive attitude
- Academic advising
Accomplishments
- SDICCA Intern, 09/2023-05/2024.
- ISP Student President and Lead Volunteer, 04/2024-02/2021.
- Champion at Global Office for Investigations for Citi Security and Investigative Services (CSIS), 2019.
- Selected as Subject Matter Expert in CSIS, 2018.
- Member of the Innovation Team in Latin America for CSIS, 2014.
- High Performer in the Global Roundtable Committee for CSIS, 2008-2014.
- Dazzle Award recipient for outstanding efforts and dedication awarded by CSIS, 2014.
Certification
- Passport to Success, San Diego Community College, Currently Attending.
- CCC | Equity-Centered Counseling Foundations, San Diego Community College District, 2025.
- CCC | Counseling and Equitable Placement, San Diego Community College District, 20255.
- CCC | Counseling Working Adults, San Diego Community College District, 2025.
- CCC | Counseling Students Seeking Academic Redemption, San Diego Community College District, 2025.
- CCC | Counseling Men of Color, San Diego Community College District, 2025.
- CCC | Counseling Justice-Involved Students, San Diego Community College District, 2025.
- CCC | Maximizing Financial Aid For California's Community College Students, San Diego Community College District, 2025.
- CCC | Supporting Undocumented Students, San Diego Community College District, 2025.
- Self-Guided Foundational Zone Training, Safe Zone Project, 2024.
- Professional Counselors as Agents of Change: Countering Educational Hegemony, Mental Health Academy, 2024.
- Social and Cultural Diversity: Discussing Race, Mental Health Academy, 2024.
- Culturally Competent Care for Immigrants and Refugees, Mental Health Academy, 2024.
- Utilizing RACE as a Framework in Effecting Public Policy Redressing Racial and Gender Inequities, Mental Health Academy, 2024.
- School Counseling to Close Opportunity Gaps: An Antiracist and Social Justice Framework, Mental Health Academy, 2024.
- Counseling Gender Diverse Clients, Mental Health Academy, 2024.
- Coaching and Micro-counseling, Mental Health Academy, 2024.
- Suicide Risk Among Immigrant Populations in the United States, Mental Health Academy, 2024.
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Challenging Problems, Mental Health Academy, 2024.
- Overview of Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Mental Health Academy, 2024.
- REBT: The Theory of Comprehensive Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Mental Health Academy, 2024.
- Growth Mindset, Mental Health Academy, 2024.
- Combating “Isms” Through Counseling and Systemic Interventions, Mental Health Academy, 2024.
- Counseling Clients with Disabilities: Introduction to the Issues, Mental Health Academy, 2024.
- Anti-Ableism and Accessibility: Thinking Outside the Box, Mental Health Academy, 2024.
- Developing Cultural Humility and Multicultural Orientation, Mental Health Academy, 2024.
- Positive Psychology: The Basics, Mental Health Academy, 2024., Mental Health Academy, 2024.
- Positive Psychology and the Study of Human Strengths, Mental Health Academy, 2024.
- Leveraging Motivational Interviewing and Coaching for Student Well-Being and Success, Innovators Educators, 2024.
- Advising Diverse Populations: How to be Inclusive Using Appreciative Advising, Innovators Educators, 2024.
- How to Better Serve Underrepresented Populations: A Strength-Based Approach, Innovators Educators, 2024.
- Cultural Competence, Relias, 2024.
- Supporting Quality of Life for Individuals with IDD/Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Relias, 2024.
- Using Gender-Inclusive Language, LinkedIn, 2024.
- Inclusive Mindset, LinkedIn, 2024.
- Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, LinkedIn, 2024.
- Developing Competence in Working With LBGTQI+ Communities: Awareness, Knowledge, Skills, and Action, American Counseling Association, 2024.
- Sensation Seeking and Adolescent Drinking: Do Protective Behavioral Strategies Lower Risk?, American Counseling Association, 2023.
- Certificate in Stress Management (14 hrs.), Allegria Learning Solutions, 2023.
- Essentials of Interpersonal Practice (25 hrs.), University of Michigan, 2021.
- Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change (12 hrs.), University of Michigan, 2021.
- Engaging Social Justice, Diversity, and Oppression in Social Work (30 hrs.), University of Michigan, 2021.
- Essentials of Social Welfare Policy (25 hrs.), University of Michigan, 2021.
- Learn the Process of Effective Leadership, LinkedIn, 2020.
Timeline
Adjunct Counselor
San Diego College of Continuing Education
05.2024 - Current
University Professor
Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC, Mx
02.2024 - 07.2024
Project Assistant
San Diego College of Continuing Education
02.2021 - 05.2024
Volunteer
San Diego College of Continuing Education
04.2020 - 02.2021
Security Manager/Fraud Investigator
Citibanamex
03.2005 - 09.2019
Bachelor’s Degree - Law
UABC University of Baja California
Master of Arts - Counseling And Guidance
Point Loma Nazarene University
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