TANIA HARRIS

815-757-0333
TaniaNHarris2007@gmail.com · linkedin.com/in/tania-harris-a301451a6 https://niaharris.weebly.com

Collaborative, hardworking, creative problem solver seeking an opportunity to learn and add value in
Academic Advising or an Adult Learning capacity. Skilled at quickly building rapport with a diverse
population of leaders, learners and peers while contributing to exceptional results.

EDUCATION
MAY 2020
MASTER’S DEGREE IN ADULT HIGHER EDUCATION AND STUDENT AFFAIRS, NORTHERN ILLINOIS
UNIVERSITY, GPA 3.9 (CAHE 502 EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & SOCIAL JUSTICE, CAHE 522 COLLEGE STUDENT
DEVELOPMENT THEORY)

MAY 2018
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY, NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, GPA 3.8 (PSYC 417 PRINCIPLE OF
BEHAVIOR MODIFICATN, PSYC 360 MOTIVATION)

DECEMBER 2016
ASSOCIATES OF ARTS, KISHWAUKEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, GPA 3.5

ACADEMIC RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

 Mid-Western Educational Research Association Presentation 2019- presented results of full research
study on the Effects of Trauma on Academic Performance. Created survey, did a pilot study with 200
students, evaluated results, and created the presentation.
 Undergraduate Research/Student Engagement Poster Presentation 2018/2019 This project explores
how people recall memories from their past, particularly the differences in the way people remember
positive and negative memories.
 Student Research Symposium Presentation 2017/2018- This project centers on the relationship
between shame and the avoidance/approach method of motivation. Created survey, investigating
what motivates students to initiate an avoidance/approach method in situations/experiences that
leave them feeling ashamed.

EXPERIENCE
MAY 2018 – MAY 2020
ACADEMIC ADVISING CENTER GRADUATE ADVISOR, NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

Help a caseload of 250 students achieve their educational, career, and personal goals utilizing a variety of
institutional and community resources. Worked closely with the students to select courses, identify
strengths, choose a major and be a resource/guide through the educational process.

Utilized the Appreciative Advising Model, a fully student-centered approach to student development
using a collaborative practice of asking positive, open-ended questions that support students in optimizing
their educational experiences and achieving their dreams, goals, and potential.

Facilitated Summer Orientations in small group settings. Provided introductions to the university
with students and parents, along with expectations of the two-day orientation process. Provided
 students with an overview of what to expect as a new student at NIU, and the resources available to help
them navigate their four-year pathway to graduation.

Coordinated All Campus Majors and Minors Fair to introduce students to their academic options- built a
planning committee, partnered with the admissions office to identify potential new students, developed
social media strategies and materials to reach out to students, and partnered with local radio station for
outreach. Results- 1500 students first year, 1950 students in year two!

MAY 2018-MAY 2020

ACADEMIC ADVISING CENTER LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITY ADVISOR, NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Guide and mentor students in a focused learning community while supervising two learning center student
leaders.

To develop better faculty/student relationships established a mentorship program pairing house residents
with faculty/staff.

Took initiative to create bi-weekly educational workshops and event to assist students with academic
challenges.

To assist students in the interview process initiated a Business Etiquette Dinner partnering with Kohls for
business dress for students that didn’t have business attire due to financial challenges.

Coordinated philanthropy events on behalf of the learning community- book collections and food drives.

AUGUST 2019-MAY 2020

GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT, NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Provided a range of teaching and assessment activities including tutorials directed towards the delivery of
subjects at undergraduate level. Engage in the assessment process using an assortment of methods and
techniques and provide effective timely and suitable feedback to students to support their learning.

Contributed to the development of new material for department courses/ the development of applicable
teaching materials to ensure content and methods of delivery met the classroom learning objectives.

Administer advising on skills, methods, and techniques can be applied the real world to support students
in the transfer of knowledge gain in the classroom.

SKILLS HONORS AND AWARDS

 Planner and organizer  Provost Award for Diversity and Inclusion

 Collaborator -2019
 Northern Illinois University Dean’s list -2016-
 Open/Honest Communicator 2018
 Results oriented and goal driven  National Honor Society -2015
 Empathetic nature- can relate to students  The National Engaged Leadership Award -
2015-2016