SYNOVA NELSON
New Ulm, Minnesota 56073
Phone: 507-***-**** email: **********@*****.***
Objective: Seeking a position utilizing my proven leadership, management, and communication experience and expertise.
Summary of Professional Qualifications
Management and Human Resources
• Experienced manager with expertise in human relations and project management
• Recruitment, retention and staff training and development
• Management Coaching
• Company Health and Safety Coordinator
• Managed compensation and benefit programs for employees
• On-going experience as a company negotiator for collective bargaining and union negotiations
• Knowledge of Federal and State Employment Law
• Manage worker compensation and unemployment
• Responsible for employee evaluations and corrective action plans
• Managed 37 mental health counselors and therapists placed in school districts in a 33 county area
• Supervised each area/work-site to ensure that it was functioning effectively
• Provided direction and feedback to employees and assisted in decision making
• Developed and updated organizational policies and procedures
• Provided staff development opportunities through formal training and on-the-job feedback
• Oversaw student discipline, and supervised administration of schedules, transcripts and credits
• Communicated program changes/updates to administration and board members
Project Development and Leadership:
• Organizational and Strategic Planning for schools, companies and non-profit organizations
• Created Wellness initiative for a 3 shift company
• Implemented an array of start-up programs in schools, companies, and non-profit company and organization
• Created and implemented company drug/alcohol policy
• Conducted research, performed data analysis for presentations for company growth to executive team members
• Develop, implement and coordinate company policies and procedures and conduct internal audits
• Assisted the Recruitment Research Committee to market and recruit students into the College of Education
• Experienced grant writer
• Experience completing required compliance/regulatory paperwork
Budgeting and Financial:
• Streamlined HR processes during sales acquisition
• Reduced overall company benefit costs by 8% in one year
• Implemented the budget and oversaw the financial health of School Mental Health in consultation with the
CEO
• Directed a $700K budget including grades 7-12 and targeted services programming for at-risk youth
• Directed a $350K budget including day and evening programming K-12
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Educational, Communication and Marketing:
• Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal, organization and multi-tasking skills
• Coordinated Program Marketing for all companies
• Expert experience and knowledge in conflict resolution
• Facilitated training of morale and team building
• Public speaking – local, state, national and international
• Lead and participated in team meetings to communicate applicable program updates/changes
• Designed schedules, program oversight and feedback for multiple types of programming
• Conducted collaborative research with departmental colleagues
• Represented the College of Education to the Nominations and Election Committee
• Served on the Distinguished Scholar Committee on behalf of the KSP department
• Supported students in the undergraduate and graduate programs by providing guidance, support, and feedback and/or
conducting an advisor survey to determine the degree of responsiveness
• Coordinated curriculum of all ALC programs including day and evening classes
• Presentations promoting ALC programs to various civic groups
• Collaborated with county agencies involved in student/family lives
Employment History:
Adjunct Faculty: MSU-Mankato, College of Business, Mankato, MN, 2015 –Present
Teach one night class per semester
Human Resource Manager: Anderson Custom Processing Inc., New Ulm, MN, 2013 to 2015
School Mental Health Coordinator: Greater Minnesota Family Services, Willmar, MN, 2011 to 2012
Assistant Professor: MSU-Mankato, College of Education, Mankato, MN, 2010 to 2011
Principal: River Bend Area Learning Center, New Ulm, MN, 1999 to 2010
Director: Southwest Area Learning Center; Windom, MN, 1994 to1999
Education and Certifications:
Specialist Degree – Education Administration
Master of Science – Organizational Leadership
Bachelor of Science – Secondary Education
Minnesota State University – Mankato
PHR Certification - December, 2014
Professional Affiliations
Society of Human Resources Management 2013-Present
Board Member, SMAHRA
Conference Committee Facility Chair, SMAHRA
Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs 1998-2010
Regional Director, President Elect, President and Past President
International Association of Learning Alternatives 2000-2010
Member and Speaker
Community Involvement and Leadership:
Board member of the Allina Hospital Board for New Ulm, MN 2005-2006
Board member of Healthy Communities/Healthy Youth 2005-2006
Member of Brown County Juvenile Drug Court Team 2006-2010
Advisory Board Member, College of Education, Minnesota State University 2003-2005
National Crime Prevention Council Consultant and Speaker 2000-2003