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Professor Vita: Melissa Patton


Melissa Patton, MA
Waukee, IA

Website:www.thepurposegroup.com

Professor for Counseling in the City




EDUCATION:
Doctorate of Education, Higher Education and Organizational Change, 2013
Benedictine University, Lisle, IL

Master of Arts, Professional/Community Counseling, 2006
Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, IL

Bachelor of Arts, English/Creative Writing, 2002
Drake University, Des Moines, IA


PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS:
Human Services - Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP), National Credential

ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
•    Midwest Organization of Human Services (MWOHS)
•    MWOHS Treasurer, 2010 to present
•    MWOHS State Representative, 2010 to present
•    National Organization of Human Services (NOHS), 2010 to present
•    Iowa School-Age Care Alliance (ISACA), 2009 to present
•    National Honors Society in Psychology (Psi Chi), 2005 to present
•    American Counseling Association, 2005 to 2006
•    Illinois Counseling Association, 2005 to 2006
•    NAEYC Member, 2010 to Present

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION EXPERIENCE:

Assistant Academic Department Chair, Human Services
Kaplan University Online 01/2010-12/2011

In this position I assist the Department Chair in the following areas; curriculum and course design, extending faculty appointments, monitoring faculty progress in the classrooms, mentoring new and existing faculty, leading departmental staff meetings, and managing department SharePoint (department intranet website).  In addition, I recruit, train and help develop new courses and programs.


Part Time Academic Advisor for Adult Students in the College for Professional Adult Learners
Grand View University, Des Moines, IA   2008-2009

At Grand View I was the initial point of contact for the university on behalf of the adult learning department.  I helped adult students select courses and plan their class schedules; I worked very closely with the registrar, academic achievement center and financial aid.  I assessed students’ academic needs and referred them to available resources.  In addition, I helped adult learners make decisions for long-term professional and academic goals.

Director of Guidance Counseling
Walther Lutheran High School, Melrose Park, IL  2005-2006
At Walther I recruited new students based upon academic skills, learning aptitudes and emotional development.  I had the opportunity to administer/evaluate academic programs and behavioral management systems through individualized educational plans.  In addition, I facilitated school-wide programs providing students with positive social and behavioral skills.

College Recruitment Counselor
North Central College, Drake University and Michigan Technological University 2002 - 2005

As a college recruiter I managed a territory, designed recruitment strategies, advised high school- age students, and provided coaching and training to staff.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
City Vision College, Telecommuting  2008 to present
Courses Taught:
•    Counseling to Urban Communities


Kaplan University Online, Telecommuting 2008 to present
Courses Taught:
•    Contemporary Issues of Psychology
•    Introduction to Psychology


Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), Des Moines, IA Online and On-Site Courses 2007 to Present
Courses Taught:
•    Introduction to Psychology
•    Developmental Psychology
•    Social Psychology

Grand View University   Des Moines, IA 2009 to Present
Courses Taught:
•    Developmental Psychology
•    Human Exceptionality
•    General Psychology

PROFESSIONAL HUMAN SERVICE EXPERIENCE:
Purpose Community Development Foundation (CCDA), Inc., Des Moines, IA      www.thepurposegroup.com
Executive Director/Founder 2008 to present


After moving to Des Moines four years ago I noticed that there was a need for an organization that provided developmental programming for the entire family.  The Purpose Group was birthed to help families discover their purpose.  The Purpose Group is a non-profit, 501 C3 corporation that provides a variety of programs for the family including, a licensed childcare center, after school programs, summer camp, tutoring, psychotherapy, evening care for collegiate adult learners, and free educational seminars.

 
Purpose Kids Academy (CCDA), Des Moines, IA
Director, Licensed Child Care Center 01/2010 to present


Purpose Kids Academy received approval to operate a licensed child care center effective 1/2010 per the Iowa Department of Human Services Consultant.  

Purpose Kids Academy, Des Moines, IA
Home Day Care Provider Level B 04/09 – 1/2010


At Purpose Kids Academy, home daycare, I oversaw staff that assisted in caring for children, provided age appropriate programs for children, checked and balanced finances per Peachtree Accounting software, provided up to date documentation for CACFP.

Daybreak Family Worship Center (CCDA), Des Moines, IA
Early Childhood Teacher 09/06 – 12/09

Designed comprehensive early education curriculum for the Daybreak children’s program, infancy to 5th grade, in charge of developing weekly lesson plans and teacher training, lead monthly training and developed meetings, taught children age-appropriate lessons.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT EXPERIENCE:

Research Assistant, Counseling Department
Concordia University, River Forest, IL 2005-2006

At Concordia I was awarded a full scholarship to help counseling faculty in the following ways; Substitute teach their classes, conduct research, grade papers

INTERNSHIP / PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE:

Evangelical Child and Family Agency (ECFA)
Marriage and Family Therapist, Wheaton, IL 2005-2006


At ECFA I provided psychotherapy for families, individuals and children.  In addition, I was encouraged to integrate theoretical techniques into therapeutic process and completed paperwork necessary for treatment plans and intakes.

PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS:
University of Northern Iowa, Teacher Work Sample Dissertation Project, Summer 2009
I was invited to pilot a program for prospective adjunct and faculty.  Under the direction of the Provost, I attended training seminars as well as interviews.  My 30-page paper was an analysis of my teaching pedagogy.  Upon completion, my paper was assessed by a panel and I received a certificate of completion along with one credit hour towards my post graduate degree.

Bernstein/Nash Essentials of Psychology, Text Book Reviewer, Fall 2008
I was asked to review an introduction to psychology textbook for a publisher.  In this review I offered constructive feedback and criticism.
 

PUBLISHED ARTICLES:
Cyclone Illustrated,  Sports Writer, Ames, IA  1999-2000
At Cyclone Illustrated I was a sports writer for the Iowa State University Football team respectively.  In addition to covering all home games, I attended and covered Media Day and two-a-days.

Times Delphic, Drake University Campus Newspaper, Columnist, Des Moines, IA  1999-2001
The Times Delphic is the Drake University campus newspaper.  I wrote weekly editorial columns under the topic, “Keepin’ It Real”.

Urbandale Press Citizen,  Sports Writer, Urbandale, IA 2000-2001
Wrote sports related articles for local Iowan newspaper.

CORPORATE EXPERIENCE

Staffing Specialist/Recruiter
MidAmerican Energy Company, Des Moines, IA  2007-2008

At MidAmerican I attended job fairs and recruited college-aged engineers.  In addition to my work as a recruiter, I also worked closely with Hiring Managers to discuss salaries, recruitment expectations, as well as compile new hire paperwork.

Recruiter
Ameriprise Financial Services, Tinley Park, IL  2006-2007

In this position I managed a recruitment territory visiting several colleges, and career fairs daily.  Much of my position was articulating the Ameriprise brand to prospective financial advisors.  I lead workshops and coached prospective employees.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
 
•    Development Assessment Team Rater, 2008
•    Blackboard Basic Course – Certified to teach online courses
•    WebCT Basic Course – Certified to teach online courses
•    Conversations on Teaching and Learning Seminar, DMACC, 2008
•    DMACC Academy, 2008
•    Kaplan University:  PD-101 Focus Group, 2009
•    Kaplan University:  Welcome Letter Information Session, 2009
•    CLA Training, 9/2009
•    Excel Workshop, DMACC, 4/2009
•    Professional Development Retreat, Kaplan, 1/2010


PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
Proficient in WebCT, E College, Blackboard, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe, Dreamweaver, Kaplan University Platform

HONORS AND AWARDS:

  • Concordia University Research Assistant, Melissa Childs Patton, August 2005-May 2006, $7,500.00, Academic Scholarship.
  • The Prejudice Institute, Research Assistant, Melissa Childs, May 2001-August 2001, Selected as an intern to spend the summer traveling in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia studying children and their perspective on racial identity.
  • Berlin, Germany, Journalist, Melissa Childs, May 2001, One of twelve American college journalists selected to travel to Europe to interview German officials regarding 9/11 attacks, a paper was published upon completion of trip.   
  • Robert Gilliam Academic Scholarship, Melissa Childs, May 1998. $1,500.00.
  • EXTERNAL GRANTS:
  • United Way Quality Improvement Grant: Child Care Resource and Referral, The Purpose Group, Melissa Patton, November 2009, $1,500.00.
  • Iowa School-Age Care Alliance (ISACA), The Purpose Group, Melissa Patton, Grant pending, November, 2009, $250.00.
  • United Way Quality Improvement Grant: Child Care Resource and Referral, The Purpose Group, Melissa Patton, November 2009, $3,000.00.
  • Variety Club:  Human Service Grant, The Purpose Group, Melissa Patton, May, 2010, $15,000.00, Grant pending