Rafael De Leon Vela
Kennewick
Summary
Collaborative leader with dedication to partnering with coworkers to promote engaged, empowering work culture. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
University Development Counselor
Grand Canyon Education
07.2023 - 01.2024
- Driving student inquiry generation by developing and nurturing partner relationships through marketing, academic program resources, counseling techniques and customized pathways leading to scholars enrolling into higher education.
- Developed students through counseling, guiding, coaching, and inspiring pathway rigor to reach academic goals.
- Financial education and guidance through the scholarship process, loan agreements/applications and general completion of federal or local educational assistance programs.
- Student collaboration with immediate and extended (on campus) GCU success teams to engage in the progression, protocol, community placement efforts and overall student health of adult learners. Leading to student satisfaction through consistent communication, empathy, and understanding of their unique challenges.
- Develop external stakeholder partnerships with executive and senior level leadership.
GEAR UP Site Manager
WSU Tri-Cities
06.2006 - Current
- Data mining and implementation of educational strategies to create partnership success among students and staff.
- Motivate staff and students to take advantage of academic strategies for higher education.
- Implementation of Federal and local partnership programs work plans, objectives and logistics for the advancement of rising scholar post secondary educational goals.
- Oversight of employee attendance records, payroll and the placement of academic curriculum materials for the school district.
- Monitored, mentored, coached and supervised a team of 4-9 employees and students alike. To include professional development opportunities.
- Provided general office administration, correspondence, filing and spreadsheet development.
- Assumed responsibility for personnel deployed to our work site.
- Communicated daily with WSU leadership, school district administration, teachers, families and students to keep GEAR UP fully operational.
- Delegated assignments based on plans, project needs and knowledge of individual partnership members.
- Successfully created cross country/local educational field trips, intentional academic experiences, family events, tutoring programs, social emotional support and career exploration.
- Align with and fully support school district programs and goals in line with WSU TC GEAR UP philosophies.
Forklift Driver
Pasco Processing
08.2017 - Current
- Locate proper slots on storage racks and set pallets in place with forklift.
- Handled multiple tasks simultaneously to maximize work efficiency for food preparation.
- Unloaded materials and goods at designated locations for production efficiency.
- Remove orders from storage, wrapp/unwrap and staged for production purposes.
- Transport goods between warehouse locations according to shipment and storage needs.
- Unload/load trucks for arrival or transport of plant production.
- Check items against documentation for accuracy.
Community Jobs Program Manager
Goodwill Industries
06.2003 - 05.2006
- Provided emotional support to affected clients and assisted in developing employment plans, goals and case management.
- Referred clients to appropriate team members, community agencies and organizations to meet employment needs.
- Opened employment opportunities and worked with employers to provide labor exchange goals that worked for the business, Goodwill and our clients with developmental disabilities.
- Educated families and community members about the benefits of labor exchange systems.
- Developed and implemented a variety of innovative policies and strategies to promote client self-sufficiency, employee development, skills development and quality living.
- Coordinated programs to promote health, information, preventive care, nutrition and ergonomics.
- Streamlined and improved program operational processes by expanding work sites and partnership opportunities.
Blizzard Beach Cast Member
Walt Disney World Company
06.2002 - 12.2002
- Maintained park excellence and presentation of assigned locations, captured the audience by channeling and exhibiting emotions, resulting in a memorable experience.
- Kept the integrity of park entertainment.
- Ride operations, lifeguard duties and assisted in the international affairs help center.
Governors Internship - Mentoring Program
Division Of Alcohol And Substance Abuse
05.1998 - 05.2000
- Observed and assisted in the development of the WA state mentoring initiative for DASA. Completed internship and sought higher ed.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Recreational Therapy
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA06.2003
31 Uniform Communications
United States Army, Fort Gordon
Augusta, GA08.1996
High School Diploma -
Moses Lake High School
Moses Lake, WA06.1995
Skills
- Team Leadership
- Operations Management
- Data Analysis
- Conflict Mediation
- Bilingual reading and writing - Spanish
- Microsoft Office
- Zoom
- Process Improvement
- Job Planning
- Customer Service
- Project Management
- Budget Administration
Timeline
University Development Counselor
Grand Canyon Education
07.2023 - 01.2024
Forklift Driver
Pasco Processing
08.2017 - Current
GEAR UP Site Manager
WSU Tri-Cities
06.2006 - Current
Community Jobs Program Manager
Goodwill Industries
06.2003 - 05.2006
Blizzard Beach Cast Member
Walt Disney World Company
06.2002 - 12.2002
Governors Internship - Mentoring Program
Division Of Alcohol And Substance Abuse
05.1998 - 05.2000
Bachelor of Arts - Recreational Therapy
Eastern Washington University
31 Uniform Communications
United States Army, Fort Gordon
High School Diploma -
Moses Lake High School
Similar Profiles
Leah StephensLeah Stephens
Executive Financial Aid Specialist at Grand Canyon Education (Grand Canyon University)Executive Financial Aid Specialist at Grand Canyon Education (Grand Canyon University)
Steven MartinSteven Martin
Vice President of Operations at Grand Canyon EducationVice President of Operations at Grand Canyon Education
Haley NewtonHaley Newton
Junior Counselor at Grand Canyon EducationJunior Counselor at Grand Canyon Education
Jacob PrososkiJacob Prososki
Student Service Counselor at Grand Canyon EducationStudent Service Counselor at Grand Canyon Education
MONICA OCHOAMONICA OCHOA
Medical Billing Manager at Richland Medical GroupMedical Billing Manager at Richland Medical Group