Louis D. Gonzales, Ph.D.

***** ***** ******

San Juan Capistrano, Ca. 92675

612-***-****

acrf0y@r.postjobfree.com

Goals: To continue making a difference in young people’s lives in a serving capacity in counseling, teaching.

Education:

B.A. English-Spanish: California State University @ Fullerton M.S. Counseling-Psychology: California State University @ Fullerton, CA. Ph.D. Health & Human Services: Columbia Pacific University, San Francisco, CA. Skills & Certification(s)

• Spanish Language proficient (speaking/writing/formal presentations).

• Certified nationally certified Career & Life Coach.

• Trainer: MN Leadership Academy.

• Career Counselor, Financial Aid-EOPS programs & Psych. Instructor. Credentials:

• Calif. personal counseling credential; life.

• California teaching credential; life.

• Certified national substance use recovery coach; life. Professional Experience:

2009-2015 Life Coach/ Career Counselor (private practice) - STARTING POINT ACADEMY. Substance use recovery, health services referrals/counseling. Job re-entry and career coaching. Minneapolis MN. startingpointacademy.com

• Provided personal & career counseling to disenfranchised populations within the local Minneapolis school district attendance areas.

• Adjunct behavioral/psychology curriculum writer and instructor.

• Provided re-entry skills to clients released from prison/treatment: stress reduction/anger mgmt., problem solving and capacity-building.

• Assisted clients in identifying personal goals and planning career moves.

• Provided feedback on resumes, cover letters and strategized with clients on successful job interview techniques.

• Recovery Coach trainer of professionals from the fields of probation, counseling, education, and other agencies working with disenfranchised populations. 2004-2009 Executive Director – Center For Training & Careers, Minneapolis, MN. Urban School-to-Work young adult educational program.

• Site manager for a district consortium comprised of three independent study charter & alternative high schools work-based educational sites comprised of 825 under-represented student population (Hispanic/Latino, Southeast Asian & African).

• Maintained relationships with trade schools, community college allied health programs and admission counselors within the Twin Cities.

• Managed state and federal welfare-to-work grants, budgets and reporting policy requirements.

1994-2004 Academic/Career Counselor - Center for Training & Careers, Minneapolis, MN Urban School-to-Work young adult educational program

• Provided personal and transitional college readiness and vocational counseling to under-represented youth transitioning to the allied health and other technical post-secondary experiences.

• Managed data-driven information systems for financial aid (FAFSA), tutorial needs, and student attendance monitoring systems.

• Maintained daily marketing contact with feeder high school personnel, colleges and outside agencies.

• Provided student training in cognitive approaches to problem-solving, decision- making and the soft-skills required in the job interview process.

• Assisted students in the development of Individualized Life & Learning Plans

(ILP) that led to student success and transfer to post-secondary opportunities.

• Scheduled and conducted TRIO, GAIN & TANF (similar to California’s CalWorks) mini-seminars, vocational/career progress assessments. 1988- 1994 Director of Alternative Programs - Eastside Union High School District, San Jose, Ca.

• Managed and maintained six alternative school dropout recovery/prevention programs. Reduced the dropout rate in the district from 33% to 18%.

• Conducted career development, tutoring, financial aid assistance (FAFSA) seminars in areas pertaining to career trends and 21st century choices.

• Researched, purchased and trained staff-students on use of technology relating to financial aid and job searches.

• Managed district’s Work-Study Program.

• Provided leadership and articulation agreements with local post-secondary institutions serving the San Jose attendance areas

• Created “Summer Success” Partnership for students matriculating into college.

• Provided leadership in the dropout recovery and retention programs of the district.

1983- 1988 School Principal-teacher-counselor Eastside Union High School District

• Managed school-to-work based alternative high school.

• Crisis Intervention to families and students enrolled.

• Instructor in Life Planning and served dual role as vocational counselor.

• Provided supervision of college interns.

• Designed motivational coursework (research skills, decision-making, and time management) as an integrated component of the school’s curriculum.

• Coordinated and taught financial and life skills planning. Awards, Appointments:

• Hispanic Educator of the Year, 2002-03: Minnesota Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

• Educational Advisor to Minnesota Governor’s staff on issues relating to education and workforce development goals for of Latino youth and families.

• Educational Chairperson: MN Chicano/Latino Affairs Council.

• National Speaker on topics relating to School-to-work initiatives & Alternative Education.