Student Success & Postsecondary Support Leader

ERIC D. WALKER

Lawrence, MA 781-***-**** ****.******@*****.***

STUDENT SUCCESS & POSTSECONDARY SUPPORT LEADER

College & Career Advising Family Engagement Alumni Relations Equity-Centered Program Leadership Education and youth development professional with 15+ years of experience supporting students, graduates, and families through academic transitions, postsecondary planning, and long-term relationship-based advising across public school, community-based, and residential settings. A lifelong resident of Lawrence, Massachusetts, with deep, trusted relationships across the same community Esperanza Academy serves. Experienced in caseload management, individualized advising, college and career pathway coordination, family engagement, and multidisciplinary collaboration with educators, counselors, and community partners.

Currently supports high school students through college and career pathway planning, persistence, and postsecondary readiness as an Early College & Career Associate, and brings direct alumni engagement experience as Co-Chair of the Tufts University Black Alumni Association. Complementary experience includes family advising and multidisciplinary case coordination with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, and municipal board leadership involving stakeholder collaboration, budget oversight, and strategic planning. Committed to building trusted, long-term relationships that help first-generation and historically underserved students and families navigate academic, financial, and personal transitions with confidence. CORE COMPETENCIES

• Student & Family Advising

• Postsecondary & College Transition Planning

• Caseload Management & Individualized Support

• Alumni Relations & Engagement

• Family Engagement & Partnership

• Trauma-Informed, Relationship-Based Practice

• Crisis Intervention & De-escalation

• Community & School Partnerships

• Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration

• Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

• First-Generation & Underrepresented Student Support

• Program Implementation & Operations

• Data-Informed Progress Monitoring

• Fundraising & Donor Stewardship

• Strategic Planning & Budget Oversight

• Public Relations & Communications

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Lawrence High School Lawrence, MA

Early College & Career Associate September 2024 – June 2026

• Collaborate with Early College and Work-Based Learning leadership to implement initiatives that promote student engagement, persistence, academic success, and post-secondary readiness.

• Mentor and guide high school students in navigating college, career, and work-based learning pathways.

• Provide individualized support to students based on their goals, needs, engagement, and progress.

• Build collaborative relationships with students, families, educators, and community partners to strengthen student success.

• Support career exploration, college access, and post-secondary planning opportunities.

• Monitor student participation and engagement and identify barriers that may affect retention, persistence, and successful completion.

• Help students develop self-advocacy, communication, decision-making, and career-readiness skills. Justice Resource Institute (GRIP Program) Lawrence, MA Assistant Supervisor April 2024 – September 2024

• Supervised direct-care staff serving youth and young adults ages 17–22 in a therapeutic residential setting, maintaining a safe, structured, and supportive environment.

• Provided staff coaching on youth needs, behavioral concerns, and crisis response, and collaborated with multidisciplinary partners to support individualized youth goals.

Lowell Community Charter Public School Lowell, MA In-Building Substitute Teacher November 2023 – April 2024

• Delivered classroom instruction across grade levels while maintaining continuity of learning and student engagement.

• Supported students experiencing behavioral and academic challenges, adapting instructional approaches to sustain a positive, respectful learning environment.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts – Department of Children and Families Lawrence, MA Social Worker Technician 2023

• Supported children, youth, and families involved with child welfare services, building trust-based relationships to help families navigate complex systems.

• Participated in multidisciplinary meetings focused on family stabilization, safety, permanency, and successful reunification.

• Facilitated transportation and supervised family visits while maintaining accurate case documentation and professional safety protocols. Lawrence High School Lawrence, MA

School Culture Specialist 2022 – June 2023

• Promoted a positive, inclusive school culture through student engagement, behavioral interventions, restorative practices, and relationship-building.

• Facilitated restorative conversations to address conflict, rebuild relationships, and support accountability, helping students navigate successful classroom transitions.

• Collaborated with administrators, counselors, educators, and families to identify student needs and develop appropriate responses. Children's Friend & Family Services Lawrence, MA Therapeutic Mentor 2015 – June 2023

• Managed an individualized caseload of up to 7 clients ages 6–21, providing behavioral health and skill-building support in community and home-based settings.

• Supported youth in developing communication, problem-solving, emotional regulation, decision-making, and conflict-resolution skills.

• Collaborated closely with clinicians, caregivers, schools, and other service providers, monitoring progress and communicating emerging needs to the treatment team.

Additional Direct Care Experience

NAFI/NFI Massachusetts, Direct Care Staff/Counselor (2012–2021) • Lahey Health Behavioral Services, Therapeutic Mentor (2017–2021)

• Supported adolescents and young adults in structured residential and home-based settings, implementing individualized treatment plans, behavioral interventions, and crisis-response protocols. LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Lawrence Redevelopment Authority Lawrence, MA

Chairperson 2021 – May 2026

• Led strategic initiatives focused on economic development, neighborhood revitalization, housing, and community investment.

• Collaborated with municipal leaders, community stakeholders, and development partners, facilitating discussions among stakeholders with competing priorities.

• Participated in oversight of a $2.5 million operating budget supporting responsible resource allocation and organizational priorities. Lawrence Community Works Lawrence, MA

Board Member 2010 – 2014

• Supported fundraising, community engagement, and neighborhood revitalization initiatives; advocated for resident empowerment and programs designed to strengthen community participation and opportunity. COMMUNITY & CIVIC LEADERSHIP

Tufts University Black Alumni Association

Co-Chair 2024 – Present

• Plan and coordinate alumni programming and events that strengthen engagement and connection within the Tufts Black alumni community.

• Lead mentorship efforts connecting alumni with current students and younger alumni for career guidance and support.

• Participate in fundraising and donor engagement efforts to sustain and grow association programming.

• Manage communications and outreach to grow and engage the association's membership base. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Assistant Area Deputy Director

• Provided operational support and leadership for chapters throughout New England, advising chapter officers on governance, organizational effectiveness, and strategic planning.

• Facilitated leadership workshops and educational programming. Admissions Intake Team Member 2020 – Present

• Coordinate membership intake processes in accordance with national policies and procedures. Bruce Griffey Leadership & Diversity Internship Grant Committee Fundraising Assistant 2016 – Present

• Assist with fundraising communications, donor stewardship, and event planning to advance the committee's mission of expanding diverse opportunities for collegiate members.

ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Event Coordinator, Dream Imagine Studios, 2008–Present • General Manager, QNR Productions, 1998–Present Asst. JV Lacrosse Coach, Phillips Academy, 2007–2010 • Head Coach (Chelsea Chargers), Metro Lacrosse, 2000–2003 EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Tufts University Medford, MA

• Master of Arts in Leadership (In Progress) Expected 2028

• Graduate Certificate in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) May 2026

• Bachelor of Arts, English 2023

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