Professional Experience

Community Forum Moderator, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
November 2006 to Present
Community forum moderator for a Philadelphia Inquirer and the University of Pennsylvania’s Project on Civic Engagement, based at the University of Pennsylvania Fels Institute of Government. Assisted in moderating region-wide dialogues focusing on what Philadelphia needs to do to deliver on its promise as "The Next Great City." The dialogues consisted of forums with hundreds of civic leaders and ordinary citizens throughout Philadelphia geared towards identifying the key issues the region needs to address. The project culminated in the declaring of a citizen-generated Agenda for the Next Great City to be delivered to the new mayor and Council in 2008. The project was supported by a major grant by the Lenfest Foundation, and other support from The University of Pennsylvania, The Inquirer and the Knight Foundation.

Art Curriculum Project Coordinator, Taller Puertorriqueño, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.
December 2005 to December 2006
Responsible for coordinating all aspects of curriculum efficacy program. Tested multi-cultural art and culture-focused education curriculum within selected School District of Philadelphia schools. Conducted on-site curriculum instruction and assessment of participating faculty in classroom setting. Coordinated and implemented teacher training sessions on the use of program curricula and project guidelines. Created, developed and distributed all program materials. Developed all data collection and evaluation instruments. Collected and managed data for efficacy of curriculum evaluation. Conducted student interviews and observation sessions. Maintained an updated understanding of community, educational, arts, social and cultural issues. Analyzed all project data. Developed project outcome report.

Internet Technology Instructor, Temple University, Ambler, PA.
Summer 2005
Technology Instructor for Summer Technology Program for elementary students. Created a custom project-based curriculum focused on educational aspects of the Internet and World Wide Web. Taught students HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), history and function of the Internet and Wold Wide Web, Internet safety, effective Internet search concepts, basic networking, website planning and creation, basic graphic manipulation, and server uploading and viewing.

Digital Media Instructor, Temple ART-Start Youth Summer Program, Philadelphia, PA.
Summer 2004
Digital Media Instructor for University based summer art program providing formal art training to high school students interested in a higher educational degree in art. Trained youth in photographic composition, digital and print design concepts, digital to print workflow, digital manipulation and graphic design, the college selection, interview and application process, creation of a digital college entrance portfolio.

Independent Technology Consultant, Digital Media Specialist, Freelance and Studio Photographer Philadelphia, PA.
1997 - Present
Independent Technology Consultant, curriculum developer, and trainer. Internet solutions provider, specializing in: Website development, Website re-design, Internet technologies, web design training, website usability, technical troubleshooting, computer networking, computer maintenance, graphic design, digital and traditional photography, digital photo manipulation, digital photographic restoration, and multi-media applications. Macintosh hardware and software solutions specialist.

Curriculum Developer & Instructor, YMCA Training Inc., Boston, MA.
September 2000 - April 2002
Created, developed, and executed adult Internet design curriculum for a community-based job training organization. Steering Committee member of the Web Design and Business Skills Training Advisory Group. Responsible for the evaluation and improvement of participant technology skills, technical troubleshooting, network maintenance.

Program Developer, CitySkills, Inc., Watertown, MA.
February 2001 - May 2001
Project development team member providing technology career training and opportunities in urban communities through partnerships with training practitioners and employers. Charged with creating and implementing technology training curriculum. Trained adults in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), history and function of the Internet and Wold Wide Web, visual design concepts and its implementation in effective Web design, basic networking concepts, website planning and creation, graphic manipulation, and server uploading and viewing, business, sales, professional, and marketing skills.

Program Coordinator, Connecticut Technology Centers Network, Newton, MA.
August 2001 - March 2002
Connecticut Regional Meeting planner and coordinator, Chair of the America Connects Consortium, a national membership organization of more than 500 community technology organizations. Assisted in helping to improve local and national technology centers by working with technology and professional organizations, and facilitating the sharing of tools, resources, and best practices to assist in achieving their institutional goals.

Staff Writer, MacOS Journal, Macintosh Internet Learning Resource
October 2000 - April 2001
Professional contributor for an Internet learning resource (http://www.macosjournal.com). Responsible for regular article contribution: “Macintosh Tips and Tricks”. Provided technical support and expertise to readership.

Web Enterprise Curriculum Consultant, Youth Technology Entrepreneurs, Malden, MA.
June 2000 - September 2000
Partnered in creating a financially self-sustaining, student-run Internet business model for replication throughout the Massachusetts Department of Education. Supervisor, trainer, and mentor for a multi-team, youth based Internet design enterprise. Trained students in project planning, time management, fundamental business concepts, effective communication skills, and workflow management.

Director of Information Technology, CT Voices for Children, New Haven, CT.
April 1998 - April 1999
Designed, implemented, and reported community training initiatives for the state of Connecticut. Manager of CT Voices Web development team. State-wide manager of the CT Youth Tech Corps, a grass-roots initiative to integrate technology into classrooms. Collaborated with Connecticut Association Boards of Education to develop K-12 technology competency standards recommendations which were published state wide in 2000. Responsible for general computer maintenance and assistance with staff technical troubleshooting and networking issues. Managed network of approximately 20 PC’s. Board member of the Connecticut Educators Computer Association (1998-01).

Director of Program Services, Computers 4 Kids, Inc., Middletown, CT.
May 1997 - March 1998
Webmaster and designer for corporate internet site. Designed and implemented initiatives to provide technology training and services to elementary, middle school, and high school students and adults. Managed and tracked computer hardware and software donations to educational and non-profit organizations. Evaluated, tested, and repaired all donated equipment. Provided technical support to recipient programs. Responsible for interviewing, hiring, and managing volunteer staff. Facilities manager for office and technical space. Responsible for diagnosing and troubleshooting hardware and software problems. Director of staff development and computer training.

Systems Consultant, Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Corporation, New Haven, CT.
April 1996 - April 1997
Systems Consultant for an International Pharmaceutical Corporation responsible for screening potential candidates and establishing medication treatment systems for individuals suffering from schizophrenia. Worked in conjunction with drug representative to facilitate medication sales and treatment systems. Responsible for the introduction, installation and training of a patient database tracking program for multiple state and private institutions. Responsible for patient and clinician orientation, educational presentations and training's.

Achievement Through Counseling and Treatment, Philadelphia, PA.

Therapist
December 1994 - April 1996
Multi-Disciplinary Substance Abuse Therapist for a substance abuse treatment center. Responsible for conducting individual and group addictions therapy and crisis intervention counseling. Formulated, coordinated & implemented treatment strategies in conjunction with Intake Workers, Case Managers and center medical staff.

Case Manager
September 1994 - December 1994
Responsible for outreach services, intervention, and resolution of substance abuse disorders and related consequences as part of a treatment team. Coordinator and facilitator of core service training programs: GED, Parenting Skills, and Life Skills. Liaison to community resources, crisis intervention agencies, and outreach service providers.

Intake Coordinator
January 1994 - September 1994
Responsible for acquiring psycho-social, medical, & other pertinent clinical information required to formulate treatment plan and acceptance into program. Assisted in the development & execution of treatment modalities. Group Activities Counselor for HIV Support Group. Responsible for administering Intake Addiction Severity Index interviews for clinical and research application. Responsible for referrals to area mental health & social service agencies. Supervisor and training coordinator for clinical interns.

Modern Psychiatric Systems, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.
December 1995 - April 1996
Senior Clinical Specialist and Consultant for psychiatric services & treatment evaluation corporation. National Training Instructor and translator of “The Addiction Severity Index”, a clinical and research assessment instrument. Translator Spanish for the implementation of a clinical research protocols for substance abuse and psychiatric disorders, conducted by the national Social Security Administration in Puerto Rico, & other Spanish speaking communities.

The Private Industry Council of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA.
March 1993 - January 1994
Bilingual Certification Specialist responsible for eligibility assessment, certification, and placement into federally funded job training programs. Liaison to local and community organizations servicing: in-school and out-of-school youth, older workers, recovering substance abusers & disabled individuals, pregnant & parenting teens, dislocated workers, homeless & other economically disadvantaged individuals. Liaison to area Latino community organizations for the certification and placement of applicants into job specific and basic skills programs. Responsible for interviewing, hiring, and managing volunteer staff. Facilities manager for office and technical space. Responsible for diagnosing and troubleshooting hardware and software problems. Director of staff development and computer training.

Education

Temple University, Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA.
January 2002 - May 2005
Bachelor of Art with concentration in Fine Art, Digital Media Design, and Photography.

Community College of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA.
September 1992 - December 1995
Associates Degree in Mental Health and Social Services
Certificate in Addictions Counseling.

Awards/Activities

Invited lecturer, Columbia University Graduate School of International Affairs. “Designing Web Page Navigation for Web Journalists”, Spring 2004.
Faculty Award recipient, Temple University 2004 Student Art Exhibition.
Artwork on permanent exhibition, Temple University Anderson Gallery.
Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation Life Skills Counselor
Pennsylvania DeMolay Masonic Youth Program Advisor
Board Member of the Connecticut Educators Computer Association, 1998-2001
Board Member of the Connecticut Women in Technology Network, 1998-2001

Expertise

Technology: Macintosh and PC Systems (software and hardware peripherals), Macintosh systems specialist, wireless and traditional networking, technical troubleshooting, digital and traditional photography, black and white and color film processing and printing, photographic assisting.

Applications: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe GoLive, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Acrobat, Macromedia DreamWeaver, Macromedia Flash, Macromedia Director, Quark XPress, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Design: HTML programming, familiarity with CGI, JAVA, and UNIX, web design, print design, graphic design, digital photo manipulation, digital photographic restoration, digital video editing, digital audio editing, color theory, typography, user interface design, browser compatibility, image optimization, print design fundamentals.

Additional: Bilingual (fluent in oral and written Spanish), music theory, Afro-Cuban, LatinJazz and Salsa percussionist, online web portfolio or print portfolio available.

References available upon request.

| top | close |