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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

RHONDA SHIELDS, M.S.

Management & Training Professional 

Eighteen-year career in Higher Education with particular experience in human resources, organizational development, and strategic recruitment and retention practices to spearhead university initiatives at all department service levels. Proven ability to dialogue with key stakeholders and employees throughout organizations on a variety of strategic business matters. Recognized as resource person, problem solver and creative leader. Highly skilled in managing multiple high-stakes projects simultaneously, mentoring talent, and implementing business processes to increase efficiency and customer service. Demonstrated communications and interpersonal skills proven as instrumental in driving sustainable organization performances and prioritization. Uses efficient and creative approaches to integrate technology to improve team effectiveness.

 

CORE COMPETENCIES

 

Adult Learning Theories

Individual & Group

Instruction 

Employee Development  Performance

Management/Improvement

Change Management

Needs Assessment 

Project/Program Management 

Staff Relationship Building 

Coaching  

Metric Improvement

Instructional Systems Design   

Training & Development 

Design/Lesson Planning

 

ASSOCIATE REGISTRAR, OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR

2018 - Present
MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Morgan State University, a coeducational institution, is located in a residential section of Baltimore, Maryland. The University has a comprehensive undergraduate curriculum with more specialized offerings at the master's and doctoral levels.

  • Manages day-to-day operations and various core functions within the Office of the Registrar.

  • Contributes to division-wide initiatives to enhance the student experience through system enhancements, process efficiencies, data sharing, and best practices for registration and graduation.

  • Leads and supervises staff, including making hiring decisions, coaching, training, mentoring, managing performance, and making recommendations for future staffing needs.

  • Develops and executes operational strategies for the office, providing leadership in technological solutions and enhancements to the student information system for optimal efficiency.

  • Oversees the implementation of academic policies and procedures related to enrollment and graduation requirements with academic departments and schools.

  • Cultivates relationships and serves on committees with academic and administrative constituencies, integrating and analyzing complex data to guide academic planning, implementation, and modifications to university policies and processes.

  • Co-administers the university's computerized advising/degree audit system, Ellucian Banner, at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

  • Promotes a culture of continuous improvement, professional development, and student-centered service.

LECTURER, COLLEGE OF LIBERAL STUDIES

2023-

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MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

  • Facilitate instructor-led subgroup discussions, critical thinking, and readings on developing learning plans for degree completion.

  • Instrumental in developing and personalizing educational planning and strategies with students.

  • Actively engage students through frequent interaction to motivate, succeed, and convey a genuine energy and enthusiasm for learning.

  • Guide students in active collaboration and application of student learning in problem- and project-based learning demonstrations.

  • Provide rich and regular constructive feedback, utilizing rubrics effectively to assess student work and acknowledge student accomplishments.

  • Demonstrate relevant and current subject-matter expertise and help students connect concepts across academic programs using multimedia and technology.

  • Provide feedback to the program chair on curriculum improvements.

Have questions? Drop me a line and let me give you the answers.

 INSTRUCTIONAL SPECIALIST, FACULTY ENGAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT

2018 - 2023

TWO-U (2U)

The Faculty Engagement & Development Team empowers faculty from 2U partner universities to create an engaging digital learning environment that delivers transformative student outcomes. Through resources, training, coaching, observation, and feedback, we strive to improve the competency and confidence of all instructional partners to master the content, champion the technology, and teach strategically.

The Instructional Specialist is responsible for training and supporting new faculty and ensuring their success as they teach using 2U’s technology. This position requires an individual who enjoys building relationships with new people, is incredibly organized and technically savvy, and can explain difficult technological and pedagogical concepts clearly and concisely to a variety of faculty.

* Effectively train and coach faculty from 2U’s partner programs on how to effectively provide engaging student experiences via 2U’s digital learning platforms.

* Provide exceptional service and support to faculty and students during live classroom sessions. This includes addressing technical issues as well as providing recommendations and feedback on improving the faculty member’s competency and confidence to achieve course learning objectives. 

* Develop and facilitate enrichment seminars on adult learning theory and digital education for faculty partners.

* Assist with creating a variety of resources designed to help faculty improve their digital teaching skills  

* Execute on various projects to improve the faculty experience and team operations 

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR

2013-2018

 

University of Maryland University College.

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The university specializes in higher education courses, offering more than 95 degrees to a variety of professionals, active-duty, and veteran service members.

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  • Supervised and managed daily operations of 11 professionals on the Degree Audit team (DAT) within the Office of the Registrar (OOR).

  • Developed and managed aspects of human resources, enrollment, policy updates, and business processes.

  • Implemented programs and recruiting activities to increase staff/student retention and inclusion.

  • Elaborated a strategic recruitment and onboarding development plan for recruiting candidates in line with department business development needs, utilization of university resources, and development of business networks.

  • Handled various social media sourcing platforms for searching/developing a talent pipeline of qualified and passive applicants.

  • Was proficient in developing training materials, lesson plans, curriculum, and programs in accordance with adult learning theories.

  • Cultivated an organizational culture that supports and promotes commitment to diversity and inclusion through outreach and engagement with professional organizations, alumni associations, and community groups.

  • Was instrumental in the design, development, and delivery of training tools to support department technical learning, certification, and soft skills.

  • Conducted and reviewed annually team training needs analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation of staff performance gaps.

  • Coached and reinforced staff on issues such as career management, confidence building, creative thinking, and skill development.

  • Organized and facilitated meetings and training for internal stakeholders.

  • Developed various training and job aids for staff efficiency.

  • Updated and replaced antiquated manual training tools & documents with the use of Adobe platforms to support department technical learning, training assessment, and document management.

  • Collaborated with senior management on recommendations improving organizational effectiveness and identified areas of strategic growth and development.

  • Delivered virtual and onsite training while specifically identifying DAT needs and filling content gaps.

  • Generated automated use of ATS and CRM applications to review acquisition and team performance efforts through data analytics and reporting.

  • Successfully authored and disseminated Salesforce CRM case management training material to automate manual processes, achieving an increase in staff productivity by 40%.

  • Broadened external alliances with representatives from private and public higher education, client and industry organizations focused on strategic education initiatives.

  • Served as a liaison for University Global Military Operations and Advising & Recruitment teams within Strategic Enrollment Management units for recruitment and retention student support.

  • Developed recommendations, analyzed and evaluated alternative courses of action, selected courses of action, and followed up with internal and external colleagues and stakeholders.

ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR, THE UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL

2015-2018

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University of Maryland University College , The Undergraduate School

  • Facilitate instructor-led sub-group discussions, critical thinking and readings on development of learning plans for degree completion.

  • Instrumental in developing and personalizing educational planning and strategies with students.

  • Actively engage students though frequent interaction to motivate, succeed, and conveys a genuine energy and enthusiasm for learning.

  • Guide students in active collaboration and application of student learning in problem- and project- based learning demonstrations.

  • Provide rich and regular constructive feedback, utilizing rubrics effectively for assessment of student work, and acknowledging student accomplishments.

  • Demonstrate relevant and current subject-matter expertise, and help students connect concepts across academic programs with use of multimedia and technology.

  • Provide feedback to program chair on curriculum improvements.

Have questions? Drop me a line and let me give you the answers.

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