CRYSTAL C. COOMBES 209 East McGinnis Circle Norfolk, VA 23502 H: (757) 455-6655 C: (757) 287-7101 Ccoombes78@msn.com OBJECTIVE Acquisition of a challenging and dynamic educational leadership position that embraces a collaborative approach toward sustained diversity, inclusion, equity, design and learning. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Over 25 years of experience with progressive roles in disability and diversity management to include higher education administration in private and public two and four year settings. Proven program design and implementation in various modalities to meet the student support needs of campus-based and online-based students. Dynamic diverse background that includes retention focus for First Year Success, Title IX, Disability, Diversity, Civil Rights, as well as Conduct and investigation expertise. Substantial history of successful administrative policy development, implementation, oversight, and evaluation. Nationally recognized technical writer, trainer, public speaker, and expert in mental health, safety, and disability management. Certified Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator and Investigator and Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Compliance Agent. EXPERIENCE Corporate Director of Student Affairs Centura College/AIM/Centura Institute Nov 10 Present *Responsible for leadership of the Department of Student Affairs (Career Services, Student Services, Disability Services, Orientation/Retention Services, Diversity and Civil Rights, Conduct, Campus Safety and Response, and Annual Reporting) for 23 degree-granting career college locations across the United States. *Identified ADA/Section 504 Coordinator, Certified Title IX Coordinator, and Conduct Coordinator for U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights. *Design, implement, and manage institutional Diversity, Civil Rights, Section 504/ADA specific services to students consulting with various administrators and campus-based service providers. *Supervise corporate level Coordinators in their efforts to service campus-based Student Advisors, Career Advisors, Conduct Officers, and Diversity and Civil Rights/ ADA/504 Liaisons. *Develop and evaluate universal design and equitable services, resources, and innovative programs for students across a broad geographical area. *Design, implement, and manage all campus-based direct threat responses to include mental health emergency evaluation and critical incident actions.
Page 2 of 9 *Responsible for all communications, to include responses, to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, and Department of Justice in regard to policy, policy implementation, complaint response, and any other matter specific to Equity and Diversity for the institution. *Design, evaluate, and manage, and implement current operational manuals for all areas related to Student Affairs. *Creation of all technical documents such as training manuals and course curriculum, policy and procedures, as well as reports to accrediting bodies. Develop and provide on-going training to all campus staff and faculty in relation to diversity, universal design, compliance, accommodation provision, and civil rights. *Develop, compose and evaluate organizational plans specific to the changing needs of the institutional community. *Develop and implement retention strategies for a demographically diverse and geographically distributed student body that address all personal adjustment and college life matters while maintaining a focus of inclusion and diversity education. *Develop, implement, and maintain consistency strategy for reporting to accreditors. Division Director of Student Services Centura College (Online Branch), Virginia Beach, VA Oct 07- Nov 10 *Responsible for Division level administration of four offices of Student Affairs/Services including Student Advising, Career Advising, Orientation and Retention, and Disability Services. *Develop, implement, and maintain consistency in reporting to accreditation body. *Create and implement strategies to meet and exceed placement and retention benchmarks. *Develop and evaluate organizational plans such as SER, IAIP, IPEDS, and G & E Reports relevant to Student Services and/or college. *Design, evaluate, and manage current operational manuals for Division to include supervisor protocols and daily operational protocols. *Design, implement, and manage Section 504 and ADA specific services to student. *Develop and evaluate services in advising for new, continuing, and graduating students. *Develop and implement strategies for a demographically diverse and geographically distributed student body that address all personal adjustment and college life matters. *Supervise multi-disciplinary Student Affairs/Services team. *Address student concerns as designated Section 504 Coordinator. Director of Recruiting and Development GRN Virginia Beach, VA Jul 06 Oct 07 *Directed daily operations of professional staff interacting with clients requesting executive recruiting, career development, and strategic placement within and outside United States. *Provided direct coaching, training, career and life counseling, and direction to clients and employers. *Developed and implemented a staff development training program creating appropriate curriculum and course objectives. *Develop, compose, and edit all internal documents and policies, such as human resource manual, staff development and training manual, and business correspondence/reports. *Managed daily operations of business. *Marketed business services to wide variety of employers and clients though lectures. 2
Page 3 of 9 *Developed and implemented all human resource functions for company including, but not limited to, policies and procedures, employee manuals, and internal hiring processes and procedures. *Supervised staff in daily provision of career services to clients. *Developed and implemented recruiting programs to service clients throughout the United States. Senior Instructor Centura College (land campus), Chesapeake and Virginia Beach (online), Nov 04 - Present *Provide instruction to students in the area of English, Humanities, Psychology, and Business at Associate level. *Senior English Instructor responsible for teaching all freshman and sophomore level composition, literature, critical thinking, oral communication, and remedial grammar and reading courses. *Provide staff training and development in the areas of Disability Management, Communication, Career Development, and Human Resources. *Create all course assessment tools related to outcomes necessary in learning objectives. *Design curriculum to address vast difference in learning needs of entry level college students in a number of program areas. *Review, design, and compose course syllabi and matrix. *Review and evaluate educational materials and text books for use in course curriculum. CEO/Owner/Training and Development Synergy, Norfolk, VA Mar 99 Dec 04 *Private consultant for small businesses in research, development and implementation of training courses specific to human resources, universal design and diversity, health, well-being, safety, workers compensation, and work place environment, staff career development, and general best practices policy/procedure development and implementation. *Developed curriculum, course objectives, and course content for human resource, business, organizational development, and workplace on specific topics such as safety, stress management, work place diversity and compliance, and communication. *Instructed and lead seminars on communication, supervision, organizational development, work place violence, and staff retention and development. *Provided individual and group counseling, career development counseling, management training, and consultation to executive management. *Provided emergency Critical Incident counseling on retainer. *Provided mediation services on retainer. Special Consultant to City Attorney s Office City of Norfolk, Norfolk, VA (on contract) Mar 99 May 02 *Provided extensive case review and investigation for workers compensation, liability, and ADA/ EEOC cases composing detailed and extensive reports. *Provide expert consultation to individual attorneys as related to specific issues of mental conditions, disability, disability management, ADA, FMLA, safety, medical terminology, job analysis/placement, and matters related to vocational rehabilitation and career placement. *Acted as consultant and educator to attorneys developing course curriculum, syllabi, course objectives, and training as needed specific to material related to medical treatment/terminology, workers compensation process, procedure and guidelines as well as disability management. 3
Page 4 of 9 *Reviewed and audited medical records related to on-going litigation providing medical analysis of data in detailed reports. *Acted as liaison between City Attorney office and hired Medical Experts. *Recognized Federal and State Expert Witness. CEO/Owner/Clinical Manager Specialized Vocational Rehabilitation, Inc., Chesapeake, VA Jul 96 Feb 99 *Developed course curriculum and provided instruction specific to disability management, work place environment, safety, policy and procedure development, program development and implementation, workers compensation programs, as well as general mental health and well-being programs. *Acted as Federal and State expert witness within all levels of civil, workers compensation and administrative law venues. *Provided vocational counseling, consultation, training, and education in compliance with ADA/Section 504. *Provided specific counseling to clients with secondary substance abuse or mental health issues. *Supervised vocational rehabilitation services including assessment and selective job placement. *Developed business plan, budget, and operation procedures that included payroll, taxes, operational overhead, and human resource policy and procedures. *Created, implemented, and managed day-to-day operations of employees providing services to customers and clients. *Marketed company to obtain new business. Employee Assistance Counselor HMSA for the US Postal Service, Norfolk, VA Jan 94 Aug 96 *Developed curriculum and provided training and instruction to a diverse employee population as well as to management regarding issues specific to the EAP and mental health and substance abuse. *Organized curriculum criteria and training schedule to provide for continued employee and management development. *Provided assessment, referral, and brief counseling to employees of the Postal Service under Federal Public Health, USPS and HMSA program guidelines. *Developed and implemented a CISD protocol and established local professional response team to interface with Postal Management. *Supervised 25 affiliate counselors and supervised local case management and QA for services provided. *Oversaw the operation of 24 hour, 7-day a week program in large geographical area. *Developed HMSA policy and procedures for interface with USPS management. *Provided rehabilitation counseling, career development counseling, and career placement services. *Daily schedule included job analysis; administration, scoring and interpretation of vocational tests; evaluation of and consultation with prospective employers regarding open positions; counseling clients regarding related or transferable skills as well as motivating clients to re-enter the work force. 4
Page 5 of 9 Instructor EMS Programs Tidewater Community College, Virginia Beach Campus Mar 90 Dec 93 *Developed and implemented modified, advanced training curriculum for Military EMS programs. *Provided classroom and lab instruction on protocols related to national standards and certification. *Provided topic expert lectures in mental health, substance abuse, and disaster management topics. EDUCATION Currently Enrolled as Doctorate of Philosophy Candidate (Transpersonal Psychology) Sofia University (formally ITP), San Francisco, CA expected June 16 Master of Arts (M.A.) (English) with Distinction National University, San Diego, CA Jan 11 Master of Education (M.Ed.) (Counselor Education) University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA May 87 Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) (Mental Health Social Work) Minors in English and Psychology Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA May 83 CERTIFICATIONS Licensed Professional Counselor, Virginia Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, Virginia Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, National (retired) Certified Rehabilitation Professional, Virginia Certified Critical Incident Debriefer, National Certified Mediator, National Certified Title IX Coordinator and Administrator, National Recognized ADA/504 Coordinator, National Registered Investigator, Virginia (Inactive) Compliance Agent, DCJS Virginia Paralegal Certificate Recognized State and Federal Expert Witness PRESENTATIONS Coombes, C. C. and A. Hanson (2012). Career Services: Re-building the Dream for Differently-abled Accessibility. Round-table presentation accepted at the National Career Development Association (NCDA) National Conference in Atlanta, GA. Coombes, C. C. and A. Hanson (2012). Building Interactive Career Services Case Management for a Multi-Campus Institution. Round-table presentation accepted at the National Career Development Association (NCDA) National Conference in Atlanta, GA. 5
Page 6 of 9 Coombes, C. C. (2012). Formal presentation accepted at the First Annual Studies in Gothic Fiction National Conference in San Diego, CA. Coombes, C. C. (2011). Developing Co-curricular activities for Students with Disabilities. Talk presented to Virginia AHEAD at the State Drive-in Conference, Richmond, VA. Coombes, C. C. with J. Wells and N. Brown (2011). Respectful Services to Students with Disabilities in an Online Technical College. Talk presented at the National Academic Advisors Association (NACADA) Region 2 Conference, Charlottesville, VA. Coombes, C. C. with J. Miller and A. Hanson (2011). PEP: Outcomes and Evolution in Online Career Advising. Talk presented at the National Academic Advisors Association (NACADA) Region 2 Conference, Charlottesville, VA. Coombes, C. C. (2010). PEP: A Model for Regional Placement. Round-table presentation accepted at the National Career Development Association (NCDA) National Conference in San Francisco, CA. Coombes, C. C. with A. Park and S. Jaeschke (2010.) Setting the First Impression: Orientation in Online Higher Education. Talk presented at the National Academic Advisors Association (NACADA) Region 2 Conference in Atlantic City, NJ. Coombes, C. C. (2009). Positive Employment Programs- The PEP Model. Round-table talk presented at the National Career Development Association (NCDA) National Convention in St. Louis, MO. Coombes, C. C. with S. Jaeschke and B. Purvis. (2009). Team Work In Higher Education/ Career Colleges- Target Success Teams. Talk presented at the National Academic Advisors Association (NACADA) Region 2 Conference in Dover Downs, DL. Coombes, C. C. and E. Whitfield (2009). Training Career Advisors: A Student Abroad Analogy. Talk presented at the National Academic Advisors Association (NACADA) Region 2 Conference in Dover Downs, DL Coombes, C. C. and B. Purvis (2009). Virtual Services in a Changing Higher Educational Environment A Virtual Coffeehouse. Poster presentation at Sloan-C National Conference in San Francisco, CA. Coombes, C. C. and E. Bunton (2009). Creating a Virtual Coffeehouse. Talk presented at the American College Personnel Association National Conference in Metro, DC. Coombes, C. C. (1996). Occupation Health Issues in the 21st Century: ADA and Future Policy. Talk presented to the George Mason School of Occupational Health graduate class in Loudon, VA. Coombes, C. C. (1996). Critical Incident Trauma: A Guide to development of a Team for Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment. Talk presented at the Regional Conference for EAP Counselors USPS HMSA in Orlando, FL. 6
Page 7 of 9 Coombes, C. C. (1995). What is the EAP? Talk presented to National Association of Post Masters Virginia State Convention in Richmond, VA. Coombes, C. C. (1995). Community Team Building. Talk Presented at the local Conference of Community Services Boards in Norfolk, VA. Coombes, C. C. (1989). The American s With Disabilities Act: Impact and Implications for the 90 s. Talk presented to Local and Regional Business Owners of Hampton Roads in Norfolk, VA. Coombes, C. C. 1988). Family Violence and Chemically Dependent Women. Talk presented at the State Virginia Counselor s Association Conference in Charlottesville, VA. Coombes, C. C. (1988). Treating Relapse In Chemically Dependent Women. Talk presented at the State Virginia Counselor s Association Conference in Charlottesville, VA. Coombes, C. C. (1986). Blended Families: Treatment Options. Talk presented at the State Virginia Counselor s Association Conference in Norfolk, VA. Coombes, C. C. (1986). Blended Families, Chemically Dependent Families and Violence. Talk presented at the State Virginia Counselor s Association Conference in Norfolk, VA. Coombes, C. C. (1994- Present). Training curriculum developed and provided to educators, professionals, and business/industry: -Writing as Process: The Art of Communication -Use and Misuse of Investigation: Training for Insurance Professionals -Identifying and Addressing Work Place Violence -Modified Duty: Employee Training and Information -Workers Compensation and Disability: Training for Employees -Modified Duty Programs: Training for Managers and Supervisors -Disability Management: Policy and Procedures -Addressing Psychological Trauma in the Work Place -Employee Well-Being as a Part of Disaster Management -Identifying Substance Abuse in the Work Place -American s With Disabilities Act -Family Medical Leave Act -Treating Trauma in the Work Place -Conflict and Communication Training for Managers, Supervisors, and Employees -Addressing Work Place Violence: Counselor s Role -Six Month CISD Professional Training Course -Stress Management: Biology and Psychology -Communication and Conflict Resolution -Diversity Training -Substance Abuse in the Work Place: Recognition and Referral -Violence in the Work Place: A Plan for Safety -Career Management: Where s The Folk In the Road 7
Page 8 of 9 -Financial Management: The One, Two, Three of Balance -Disaster Management and Recovery: Impact on Employee and Citizen -Identifying and Treating Depression -Working with Others: Effective Communication -Self-Esteem Building: Is What You Do, Who You Are? -General Psychiatric Emergencies: Diagnosis and Crisis Intervention Strategies For Professionals -Recognition and Management: Drugs in the Work Place: Developing Policy and Procedures -Confronting the Drug Free Work Place Act: Pro-action -Vs- Reaction -Bio/Psycho/Social History of Addiction: The Gorski Model of Relapse Prevention -Dealing with Grief and Loss: Steps Toward Healing -Drugs in the Work Place: The Changing Role of Supervisors -CSAC (Certified Substance Abuse Counselors) Training Program COMMITTEE INVOLVEMENT Centura College/AIM *CLERY and EDGAR review Team (2010 Present) *Conduct and Mediation Team (2011- Present) *Student Success and Achievement Team (2007- Present) *Target Success Team (2008- Present) *Student Retention Initiative (2007- Present) *Student Right to Know Committee (2010- Present) *Diversity and Civil Rights Initiative Committee (2008- Present) *Staff Development Through Technology Team (2013- Present) University of Virginia *President s Committee on Student Drug and Alcohol Abuse *President s Committee on African American Affairs PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS American Counseling Association (1986 Present) Virginia Counselors Association (1986 Present) Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) (2008- Present) National Career Development Association (2008 Present) American College Personnel Association (2008 Present) National Academic Advisors Association (NACADA) (2008 Present) Mystery Writers of America (2005 Present) Chesapeake Bay Writers (2005 Present) South Carolina Writers Workshop (2007 Present) Society for Collegiate Journalist (1978 Present) 8
Page 9 of 9 VOLUNTEER WORK ELS Tutor (Centura and Sofia) Writing Coach (Sofia University) Volunteer lecturer and advocate (Dress For Success Hampton Roads) Volunteer Senior Medical Advocate, as requested Volunteer Organizational Development Consultant, as requested 9