Dena M. Ford, MA, NCC, LMHC

CURRICULUM VITAE September 2015 EDUCATION:

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, Ph.D., Sociology (2015 first year)

Orlando, FL

ROLLINS COLLEGE, Winter Park, Florida M.A., Mental Health Counseling (CACREP) B.A. in Psychology Concentration in Writing VALENCIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Orlando, Florida Associate of Arts, Concentration in Humanities CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS: Board 491 Florida Laws and Rules – VCC Medical Errors Prevention in Health Care – VCC Certified Teacher of Meditation – Transformation Meditation Introduction to the Baker Act – USF HIV/AIDS – VCC National Academic Advising Association Conferences (2010-11) 50 CEUs – NBCC Certified provider CE-Classes (2011-2012) Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Certification (2013) EXPERIENCE:

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, Orlando, Florida Coordinator II, Undergraduate Academic Support Services College of Sciences May 2008 - present Instructor of College’s new SLS3930 New Transfer Student Seminar course, which is a transfer success course specific to the College of Sciences that places focus on emotional intelligence and career options in the sciences or STEM-related fields. Provide career and academic advising services to Biology and Psychology undergraduate students of various populations, and offer referrals to on-campus resources based on individual needs. Create and implement retention outreach including workshops for students on academic probation as well as the COS Explore program that utilizes mental health counseling interns to assist at risk students explore values, interest, personality, and skills. Provide transitional guidance to readmission and transfer students in efforts to help ease transition shock while offering guidance tailored to the students’ academic career and performance. Mock Interviewer for the UCF Office of Pre-Health and Pre-Law Advising, interviewing

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students who have been selected for admission interviews with professional medical-related programs. 

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Provide clinical supervision to Mental Health Counselor Interns, and oversee COS Career Exploration Program cohort of Biology (STEM) majors who are not meeting Biology GPA requirements. Coordinate all COS Transfer Student Orientations, including outreach to transfer students prior to attending the new student orientation. Present COS and University policies overview to 50-100 students at each Transfer Student Orientation. Review COS Readmission applications, interview potential readmission students, and provide feedback based on the initial assessment as the Coordinator of the COS Readmission Review Committee. Academic advising liaison to the Biology and Psychology departments as well as those students with a Biology or Psychology declared major.

DEVEREUX COUNSELING CENTER, Winter Park, Florida Mental Health Counselor Jan. 2007-May 2008 Provide mental health/crisis intervention counseling in the OCPS district for the elementary, middle, and high school population. Perform intake interviews with family members and clients to assess individual and family therapeutic needs. Create and implement individual treatment plans for an active caseload of 24 clients and present to attending psychiatrist and treatment plan team. 

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Therapeutic experience includes social skills training, anger management, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, autistic spectrum disorder, and mental retardation. Developed professional relationships with 3 schools in the Orange County District, including consultation with faculty and administration to assess client needs and therapeutic progress. Developed and coordinated summer therapeutic camp with school administration, parents, and participating therapists. Assess, diagnose, and create integrated treatment plans with each client, which includes treatment progress summaries and treatment plan updates, and present the integrated treatment plans to attending psychiatrist and Treatment Team. Review medical files and consult with clients’ physicians to create and implement treatment plans.

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ROLLINS COLLEGE, Winter Park, Florida 1998-Jan. 2007 TRiO Talent Search Program Counselor (2003 – Jan. 2007) Served as program counselor and educator for up to 160 middle, high school, and dual enrollment students attending eleven Osceola County schools. Provided academic counseling and advising in the area of post-secondary education. Developed and facilitated various individual and group sessions on career interest inventories, time management and study skills, financial aid research, and college transitioning preparation. Built ongoing partnerships with district and school administrators, teachers, parents and students. 

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Developed curriculum for graduating seniors on all aspects of college transitioning. Sessions included life management skills, self-advocacy, student success, campus resources and general academic advising. Encourage students to identify and set both educational and personal goals. Provided coaching on monthly basis. Facilitate college and career exploration through individual and group sessions. Administered career/major exploration inventories. Meet periodically with school board, District Counselor, and school administrators to report student success statistics. Maintain daily confidential counseling notes for each student in a program specific database.

Information Technology (1998-2003) In executive assistant role managed daily business operations of Information Technology Department.   

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Advised students on specific technology services and needs. Facilitated new student technology orientation. Served as liaison between Chief Information Officer and the campus community. Managed and facilitated training for hourly staff and staff of forty student assistants, including work study. Hired student assistant staff of 40. Maintained multiple departmental budgets through Banner.

PACE BRANTLEY HALL SCHOOL, Longwood, FL Mental Health Counselor Intern 2005-2006 Provided weekly mental health counseling and transitional services to students with learning disabilities at private K-12 school. 

Implemented and facilitated informative post-secondary workshop for parents of juniors and seniors.

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Implemented a Transitioning Program and served on the Transitioning Committee. Facilitated psycho educational groups with high school students focusing on student success. Administered Holland Code related career inventories with seniors. Counseled troubled teens one-on-one and in group sessions. Provided crisis intervention.

AWARDS/ PRESENTATIONS: NACADA Certificate of Merit – Outstanding Advising: 2013 UCF Excellence in Academic Advising Award: 2012 NACADA National Conference Concurrent Presentation: 2011 Understanding Transfer Transitions: Identity Milestones NACADA Content Review Panel Member: 2011 Transfer Student Monograph 2nd Edition NACADA Region 4 Conference Concurrent Presentation: 2011 Understanding Transfer Transitions: Bridging the Gap NACADA National Conference Poster Presentation: 2010 Understanding Transfer Transitions: Bridging the Gap Certificate of Appreciation 2006 Osceola County District Administration MEMBERSHIPS/ CREDENTIALS: Career Development Facilitator 2014 Southern Sociological Society member 2014 Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Certification 2013 Licensed Mental Health Counselor 2009 Partners in Policymaking Grant Recipient & Graduate Florida Development Disabilities Council 2008 National Certified Counselor 2006 Osceola District Guidance Advisory Committee 2006-2008 Duties: Provide feedback on student services, student success, and student development opportunities. Advocate for students and counselors. Present annual updates to Osceola County School Board. RESEARCH:

ROLLINS COLLEGE, Winter Park, FL Independent Study, 1999 Course: COM 315 – Topics: Intercultural Communication Norms Duties: Conducted intense research and surveys on business communication norms in Asia, compiled results, and authored a chapter for a reference book, which was considered for

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publication. Supervised by faculty at Rollins College Dept. of Communication Independent Study, 2001 Course: PSY IND 498 – Anxiety Disorders Research Project Duties: Conducted intense research through on-line databases such as APA and PsycINFO on criteria for DSM anxiety disorders and current findings on treatment methods. These research findings were compiled into a thesis paper that introduces the importance of awareness and current methods of treatment in APA. Supervised by faculty in Rollins College Dept. of Psychology Vietnamese Culture in Central FL, 2003 Course: CPY 538 - Psychosocial Multicultural Theories and Issues Duties: Conducted intense research through interviews in the Vietnamese community with regards to cultural norms, and present findings to colleagues. The purpose of this research project was to determine how I could be an effective ally for the Vietnamese community of Central Florida. Through several concentrated interviews I have been able to establish trust within the Vietnamese Association of Central Florida, and many closely bound friendships. Supervised by faculty at Rollins College Dept. of Counseling, Graduate Studies UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, Orlando, FL Transfer Shock, 2010-2012 NACADA Presentations: Understanding Transfer Transitions Abstract: To engage transfer students early and provide early opportunities to gain adequate institutional support, advisors must have a clear understanding of how identity is shaped and reshaped at the transfer institution. It is essential to offer positive support during this process to help students successfully navigate through the phases of Transfer Shock. Students will enter three types of transitioning stages referred to here as the Three Rings of Fire. However, to effectively intervene during these stages, advisors first have to be cognizant of factors that lead transfer students toward destructive academic patterns, referred to in this presentation as the Wave Concept. Advisors can establish best practices using appreciative advising techniques that remind students of their strengths while considering their limitations to help students maintain strength through the transition. This presentation was selected by the NACADA Advising Transfer Student Commission to be one of their sponsored sessions at the 2011 NACADA National Conference in Denver.

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An expansion of this presentation was also presented at the 2014 NACADA National Conference in Salt Lake City.

Academic Identity of the Pre-Medical Student 2015 Conducting qualitative research that focuses on undergraduate students who declare Biology as a pre-professional major with less than 6 credit hours academic exposure in the natural sciences. The focus in this research is placed on the origination of the “Pre-Med” identity and the strength it holds when students have little natural sciences exposure. Supervised by faculty at UCF Dept. of Sociology