Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

AMANDA LEPARD

CHICAGO

Summary

  • Qualified: Combines 13+ years of independent school administrative experience and 20+ years of classroom experience into a unique and empathetic perspective to working with students and families from various cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
  • Ambitious: Collaborates as a dynamic and supportive team member and leader, highly skilled at transforming community outreach initiatives into viable programs for recruitment.
  • Compassionate: Possesses a true love of working with children and their families and makes extra efforts to support individual needs.
  • Forward Thinking: Actively pursues opportunities to enhance programs in an ever-changing environment and seeks to understand new challenges in order to identify solutions.
  • Efficient: Embodies strong time management skills with great attention to detail, as well as proven ability to multi-task. Well-versed in data reporting and tracking and experienced in meeting both qualitative and quantitative goals.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Director of Enrollment Management

The Chicago Academy for the Arts
06.2021 - Current
  • Company Overview: Grades 9-12, 120 students, Co-Ed Co-curricular arts high school (http://www.chicagoacademyforthearts.org)
  • Leads all efforts in the admissions office related to recruitment and retention.
  • Develops and maintains open and honest communication with colleagues and families, building positive relationships within the school community.
  • Serves as a faculty mentor to students.
  • Skilled at managing personnel while also working collaboratively in a team environment.
  • Works closely with marketing team to develop strategic planning processes in accordance with organizational goals and within budgetary guidelines.
  • Serves as Admissions Affinity Group Liaison and Board Member for LMAIS (Lake Michigan Association of Independent Schools).
  • Oversees outreach efforts with local organizations, area consultants, and agency partners.
  • Leads the implementation of successful events for recruitment both on and off campus, including but not limited to open houses, in-person and virtual information sessions, school tours, parent interviews, student auditions, and school fairs.
  • Oversees budget management for the admissions department, utilizing resources effectively while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
  • Evaluates applicant qualifications and assesses their potential fit within the institution, ensuring a diverse and talented student body.
  • Collaborates as a member of the Senior Administrative Team, Strategic Planning Committee and Board of Trustees.
  • Conducts regular evaluation of admissions policies and procedures, making necessary adjustments as needed in order to maintain alignment with institutional objectives.
  • Streamlines the admissions process for efficiency, resulting in faster response times for prospective students.
  • Enhances partnerships with feeder schools through regular outreach activities designed to strengthen connections between institutions while promoting mutual benefits for both parties involved.
  • Participates in regular professional development within the larger educational community by maintaining a presence in independent school networks including but not limited to: ISACS (Independent Schools Association of the Central States), LMAIS (Lake Michigan Association of Independent Schools), NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools), AISAP (Association of Independent School Admissions Professionals), and EMA (Enrollment Management Association).
  • Maintains an in-depth and up-to-date understanding of academic and arts programs and works closely with arts leadership, academic leadership, teachers, college counselor, and school social worker in both outreach and retention efforts.
  • Oversees the ongoing and steady growth of the school's international student program, maintaining homestay agency partner relationships, leading local and international outreach, and serving as PDSO (primary designated school official) for student F-1 visa issuance.
  • Manages data reporting in daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly admissions funnels, enrollment projections and retention reports.
  • Oversees the administration of nearly $2 million in need based tuition assistance annually.
  • Leads and supports various re-certifications for the school, including those related to ISACS and SEVIS (Student Exchange Visitor Information System).
  • Experienced in utilizing various meeting and database platforms including but not limited to, Google Suite, FACTS, SalesForce, Zoom, and WeChat.
  • Leads faculty professional development through yoga and mindfulness workshops.
  • Increased matriculation rates by developing and implementing new initiatives.
  • Brought attrition rates to record low numbers through the development and implementation of a retention task force.
  • Increased diversity within the student population by developing inclusive recruitment strategies that addressed underrepresented groups needs.

Director of Admissions and Financial Aid

Roycemore School
06.2011 - 06.2021
  • Company Overview: PK3-Grade 12, 230 students, Co-Ed College Prep (http://www.roycemoreschool.org)
  • Developed admissions criteria and directed the admissions process and all procedures for grades PK3-12 by welcoming prospective students and families, confirming their sense of program quality and appropriateness, developing applications, and evaluating the qualifications of each applicant to ensure that they were well served by the institution and mission appropriate.
  • Oversaw the enrollment process and managed school-wide retention efforts.
  • Organized and hosted parent tours, community events, student shadow days, and teacher meetings both in person and virtually.
  • Responded swiftly to a high volume of inquiries via phone and email on a daily basis.
  • Cultivated and maintained effective relationships within the community at large, and oversaw outreach efforts with local organizations, feeder schools, area consultants, and agency partners.
  • Attended various school fairs and panel discussions.
  • Collaborated as a member of the Senior Administrative Team, Advancement Committee and Admissions and Marketing Committee of the Board of Trustees in the development of strategic admissions and marketing initiatives.
  • Maintained an in-depth and up-to-date understanding of classroom activities and programs and worked closely with colleagues in both outreach and retention efforts.
  • Managed data reporting and shared findings with the Board of Trustees regularly.
  • Worked closely with school leadership to manage and administer nearly $1 million in need based sliding scale tuition assistance annually.
  • Oversaw the ongoing and steady growth of the school's international student program.
  • Led and supported various re-certifications for the school.
  • Utilized and maintained accurate data management systems, Google accounts, social media, virtual platforms, and Constant Contact to manage school communications.
  • Participated in regular professional development within the larger educational community by maintaining a presence in independent school networks.
  • Worked closely with administrative assistant to process inquiries and qualified applications.
  • Served as a faculty mentor to students through project-based initiatives.
  • Led faculty professional development through mindfulness workshops.

Pre-School Teacher and Summer Camp Yoga Instructor

Jewish Council for Youth Services (JCYS)
06.2008 - 04.2011
  • Company Overview: Infant-age 12, 150 students, Pre-School and Summer Camps (https://jcys.org)
  • Educated students from diverse backgrounds in a pre-school classroom setting, through curriculum based units.
  • Engaged students ages 4-12 in interactive and imaginative summer camp activities centered around mindfulness and yoga, in order to promote good self-esteem and self-advocacy.
  • Took an interest in learning more about JCYS families and stayed in touch with many of them after teaching their children.
  • Maintained an upbeat, positive and welcoming attitude and safe environment at all times.
  • Maintained open communication with colleagues, parents and school leadership regarding class curriculums, activities, and student progress.
  • Contributed to school-wide activities and initiatives.
  • Recently returned to JCYS to teach the J Babies Infant-toddler Yoga Class during the summer of 2024.

Education

BA - Dance and Communication

University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI
01.2006

Skills

  • Experienced leader
  • Passionate teacher
  • Strong work ethic
  • Collaborative team member
  • Professional and adaptable
  • Expert multi-tasker
  • Meticulous attention to detail
  • Retention strategist
  • Skilled in student recruitment
  • Flexible self starter
  • Strong public speaker
  • Familiarity with DCFS standards

Certification

  • Trauma Informed Yoga Instructor, Yoga Ed., 2020
  • Breathe for Change Certified and Registered Wellness and Yoga Teacher (200 RYT), Breathe For Change, Chicago, IL, 2019
  • Certified Yoga Sculpt Teacher, CorePower Yoga, Lincoln Square, Chicago, IL, 2018
  • Certified Personal Trainer, NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine), Chicago, IL, 2017
  • American Red Cross Adult/Infant/Child CPR, First Aid, and AED certified December 2024 (recertified every two years since 2001)

Affiliations

  • LMAIS (Lake Michigan Association of Independent Schools)
  • ISACS (Independent Schools Association of Central States)
  • AISAP (Association of Independent School Admissions Professionals)
  • Yoga Alliance (RYT - Registered Yoga Teacher)
  • NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine)
  • SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System)

Timeline

Director of Enrollment Management

The Chicago Academy for the Arts
06.2021 - Current

Director of Admissions and Financial Aid

Roycemore School
06.2011 - 06.2021

Pre-School Teacher and Summer Camp Yoga Instructor

Jewish Council for Youth Services (JCYS)
06.2008 - 04.2011

BA - Dance and Communication

University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point

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