Olivia Thompson

• Phone: +1 416 555 0123
• Email: olivia.thompson@email.com
• Location: Toronto, Canada
• LinkedIn: oliviathompsonadmin

Summary

Over 10 years of progressive experience in postsecondary education administration, specializing in enhancing student success initiatives and optimizing academic support services. Successfully led the development and implementation of a new student retention program that increased first-year student persistence by 15% at a major Canadian university.

Adept at strategic planning, budget management, and fostering collaborative relationships between academic departments and student services to achieve institutional goals.

Experience

Associate Dean, Student Affairs, University of Toronto -- Toronto, Canada

Sept 2019 – present

• Oversaw a portfolio of student support services, including academic advising, career services, and wellness programs, serving over 60,000 students.

• Managed an annual departmental budget of $5M, achieving a 10% reduction in operational costs through strategic resource allocation without compromising service quality.

• Developed and implemented a comprehensive mental health strategy for students, resulting in a 25% increase in student engagement with wellness resources.

• Led a cross-functional team of 50+ staff, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement in student service delivery.

Director, Academic Advising Centre, Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) -- Toronto, Canada

July 2014 – Aug 2019

• Managed all aspects of academic advising for 15,000 undergraduate students across multiple faculties.

• Implemented a new early alert system for at-risk students, improving student retention rates by 8% over three years.

• Designed and delivered professional development programs for academic advisors, enhancing advising effectiveness and consistency.

• Collaborated with faculty and department chairs to streamline course registration processes and curriculum planning.

Program Coordinator, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, York University -- Toronto, Canada

Sept 2011 – June 2014

• Coordinated administrative and logistical support for 15+ academic programs within the faculty.

• Assisted in the development and revision of program curricula, ensuring compliance with university and provincial standards.

• Managed student inquiries and provided guidance on academic policies, procedures, and program requirements.

• Organized and executed faculty-wide events, including orientation sessions and graduation ceremonies, for over 5,000 students annually.

Education

University of Toronto, M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy -- Toronto, Canada

Sept 2012 – June 2014

Queen's University, B.A. (Honours) in Sociology -- Kingston, Canada

Sept 2007 – May 2011

Skills

Administrative Leadership: Strategic Planning, Budget Management, Policy Development, Program Evaluation, Institutional Accreditation, Staff Development, Change Management

Student Support & Engagement: Academic Advising, Student Retention, Crisis Intervention, Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives, Career Services, Mental Health Support

Academic Operations: Curriculum Development, Course Scheduling, Enrollment Management, Data Analysis, Student Information Systems (SIS), Learning Management Systems (LMS)

Communication & Collaboration: Stakeholder Engagement, Public Speaking, Report Writing, Interdepartmental Collaboration, Conflict Resolution, Team Leadership