COBY W. DILLARD1329 Virgilina Ave., Norfolk VA 23503

Phone: 757.346.9178 (C) ● E-mail: coby.w.dillard@gmail.com

Education:Norfolk State University, BS, Interdisciplinary Studies (Political Science/Sociology), expected May 2015

Intern, Tidewater Community College Counseling and Advising Center (Chesapeake Campus), August-December 2014

Accepted into Human Services Counseling MA program at Regent University, beginning May 2015 Completed Appreciative Advising course through University of South Carolina College of Education, 2014

Tidewater Community College, AS, Social Sciences (awarded May 2012)● President, Norfolk Campus Student Government Association, April 2011-April 2012● Vice President, Military and Veteran Students Association, 2011-2012

Professional Experience:

Center for Military and Veterans Education, Tidewater Community College, November 2011-present

Academic Advisor for Military Programs (Education Support Specialist III), Virginia Beach Campus, March 2015-presentProvides comprehensive personal and academic advising services to over 2,000 student veterans active service members, and military-related students

Serves as academic advisor to active duty, veteran, and military-related (spouses/dependents) students. Provides academic advising services to individuals and groups in online, email, telephone, or in-person formats, both on- and off-campus. Participates in registration and course selection; conducted conferences, made degree program recommendations, and co-created academic plans with students; assisted in creating, planning, and conducting new student orientations; referred students to appropriate support services and resources. Advised prospective graduates regarding policies and procedures concerning graduation and commencement. Monitored student retention and ensures proactive re-enrollment of students.

Reviews military and college transcripts for the awarding of appropriate credit for Military Occupational Specialties (MOS), and Navy and Coast Guard Rates and Ratings as recommended by the ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services.

Veterans Benefits Advisor/VA Certifying Official (Education Support Specialist III), Chesapeake Campus, October 2012-March 2015Provided assistance in determination of eligibility for benefits, registration processes, course selection criteria and sequence to obtain maximum allowable benefits, determining continued eligibility to attend college under varying benefits programs provided by the federal and state government.

● Interpreted and applied state and federal Departments of Education, Veterans Affairs (VA), Defense, and Virginia Community College System (VCCS) regulations to all aspects of student aid programs, specializing in military-related student benefits and educational support. Interprets and applies the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), PNPI, and other applicable laws and policies to campus VA office processes.

● Served as academic advisor to active duty, veteran, and military-related (spouses/dependents) students. Participates in registration and course selection; conducted conferences, made degree program recommendations, and co-created academic plans with students; assisted in creating, planning, and conducting new student orientations; referred students to appropriate support services and resources. Advised prospective graduates regarding policies and procedures concerning graduation and commencement. Monitored student retention and ensures proactive re-enrollment of students.

● Reviewed academic evaluations, enrollment, and student requirements to insure compliance with DVA, Virginia Community College (VCCS) and Tidewater Community College policies and procedures.

● As a designated Certifying Official, prepared appropriate documentation and certifies student veteran enrollment to VA for educational benefits using VAOnce. Researched and resolves institutional and student debts under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Reported student veteran graduations and academic probations/dismissals.

● Constructed records, made data entries in college’s Student Information System (SIS); tracked curriculum, and safeguards administrative file records on each student from initial enrollment through graduation and 36 months beyond as required by the Virginia State Approving Agency, Library of Virginia, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

● Coordinated with and communicated to the VA Regional Offices and VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program Specialists and Case Management Counselors to research and quickly resolve issues regarding grades,

1

allowance payments, attendance and other issues for student veterans under Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment).

● Used PC, e-mail communications, internet, and program-specific related software for data entry to include configuring and interpreting databases and spreadsheets for tracking, internet transmission of certifications, and self-audits.

● Supported campus Office Manager and CMVE staff by collecting and analyzing data, reporting results in an understandable way to assist in decision making.

● Responded to telephone inquiries from military-related students applying for or participating in VA educational benefits programs.

● Participated in outreach programs to area high schools and other agencies as required.● Trained part-time staff and VA Work-Study program students in VA policies and procedures.● In the absence of Office Manager, supervised CMVE VA staff and work study students in the collection,

dissemination, and maintenance of information and in the implementation and execution of office processes, including submission of required weekly reports and coordination of staff work schedules.

○ Served as interim Office Manager from November 2013-February 2014

Veterans Benefits Evaluator/VA Certifying Official (Education Support Specialist II), Norfolk Campus, November 2011-October 2012Provided assistance in determination of eligibility for VA educational benefits, registration processes, course selection criteria, and sequence to obtain maximum allowable benefits.

● Interpreted and applied state and federal Departments of Education, Veterans Affairs (VA), Defense, and Virginia Community College System (VCCS) regulations to all aspects of student aid programs, specializing in military-related student benefits and educational support.

● Reviewed academic evaluations, enrollment, and student requirements to insure compliance with VA, Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS), VCCS, and Tidewater Community College policies and procedures.

● As a designated Certifying Official, prepared appropriate documentation and certifies student veteran enrollment to VA for educational benefits using VAOnce.

● Tracked and reported office metrics (number of student visits, certifications). Reported student veteran graduations and academic probations/dismissals to VA using VAOnce.

● Responded to telephone inquiries from military-related students applying for or participating in VA educational benefits programs.

● Participated in outreach programs to area high schools and other agencies as required.● Acted as a liaison between VA Vocational Rehabilitation specialists and disabled veterans.● Managed day-to-day operations in the absence of the Office Manager, including submission of required weekly

reports, coordination of staff work schedules, and supervision of VA Work-Study program students.

Financial Aid Office (Norfolk Campus), Tidewater Community College, February 2011-November 2011Financial Aid Assistant (Admin/Office Specialist II)Assisted students with the financial aid application process.

● Acted as initial point of contact for students applying for financial aid. Assisted with completion of Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA).

● Reviewed student information within college’s Student Information System (SIS) for correct biographical information and enrollment in eligible programs.

● Reviewed student financial aid accounts in SIS to determine Pell grant Awards based on existing federal guidelines

● Provided limited counseling to students on academic standards to maintain financial aid eligibility.● Assisted students with completing forms for federal verification and other processes for financial aid.● Determined student eligibility for federal student loans and assisted with loan application process.● Responded to phone inquiries from students on application and aid processing status● Interpreted Privacy Act, FERPA, PNPI, and other applicable laws and policies to safeguard student financial aid

information.

Norfolk Campus Veterans Affairs Office, Tidewater Community College, May 2010 – February 2011VA Work-Study Program employeeAssisted veteran students with applications for GI Bill benefits and with class registration.

● Acted as initial point of contact for new student veterans applying for GI Bill benefits. Provided in-person and phone counseling on eligibility for Montgomery (Chapter 30), Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter

2

31), Post 9/11 (Chapter 33), Survivors and Dependents (Chapter 35), and Reserve (Chapters 1606 and 1607) GI Bill programs, as well as Virginia Military Survivor/Dependent Education (VMSDEP).

● Interpreted VA and Department of Defense regulations to determine eligibility for educational benefits.● Assisted students with application processes for benefits and tuition assistance.● Reviewed class schedules prior to verification to ensure courses fit within degree program● Created, maintained, and secured student files in accordance with Privacy Act, FERPA, PNPI, and other

applicable laws and policies.● Trained new work-study students on VA policies, procedures, and office operations.

McDonnell for GovernorVeterans/African American Coalition Director, May 2009-November 2009Responsible for organizing and building the Veterans for McDonnell and African Americans for McDonnell coalitions.

Department of Veterans Affairs, February 2008 – January 2009Office of Human Resources Management – Executive Resources ServiceProgram Support AssistantProvided administrative and program support to the Executive Resources (ER) Service staff (HR specialists at the GS-13&14 grade levels).

U.S. Coast Guard, December 2007 – February 2008Resource Management Division, Office of Training, Workforce Performance and Development (CG-1323)Program Analyst-FinancialAnalyzed and integrated program financial, technical and procurement data and was responsible for procurements under AFC-30, -34, -56, and -77 funds.

Enterprise Information Services, April 2007 – December 2007U.S. Coast Guard Office of Performance Management and Decision Support (CG-0931)Administrative Support Assistant (Contractor)Provided program analysis, oversight, and management to the Office of Performance Management and Decision Support. Worked with senior analysts to perform effectiveness evaluations of Coast Guard programs and operations.

Raytheon/DDG 1000 Collaboration Center, August 2006 – February 2007Senior Site Security AssociateAs assistant to the Facility Security Officer, coordinated, developed, and evaluated industrial, personnel, and information security programs for the Collaboration Center.

Computer Sciences Corporation/Refugee Processing Center, April 2006 - August 2006 Office Support AssistantProvided general administrative support for the Refugee Processing Center (U.S. Department of State).

United States Navy, February 2000 – June 2006Yeoman Second Class (E5)

The Yeoman (YN) performs administrative and clerical work. They receive visitors, answer telephone calls and sort incoming mail. They type, organize files and operate modern office equipment such as word processing computers and copying machines. The duties performed by YNs include:

Preparing, typing and routing correspondence and reports Organizing and maintaining files Receiving office visits and handling telephone communications Operating personal computers, word processing, duplicating, audio-recording and other office machines Performing office personnel administration Maintaining records and official publications Performing administrative functions for legal proceedings Serving as office managers Performing other various clerical and administrative duties

3

Specific Assignments

Company/Battalion Admin Clerk- Mar 2005 - Oct 2005 / Navy Provisional Guard Battalion, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Responsible for daily administration of 650 member command. Prepared and delivered reports and briefings Responsible for timely and accurate submission of awards, evaluations/fitness reports, and travel-related

documents Personnel Security Clerk - Jun 2003 - Mar 2005 / VFA-106, NAS Oceana, Virginia Beach, VA

Responsible for management of command’s personal security program Initiated security clearances paperwork for officers and enlisted personnel Maintained personnel security information

Legal Clerk - Jun 2003 - Aug 2004 / VFA-106, NAS Oceana, Virginia Beach, VA

Assisted command legal officer with preparation for legal proceedings Prepared powers of attorney Assisted with command investigations

Medical Administrative Assistant - Nov 2001 - June 2003 / on board USS CONSTELLATION Organized and managed all administrative functions for ship’s medical department. Prepared reports, departmental instructions, and maintained files. Coordinated evacuations of sick/injured personnel when underway from homeport. Served as Medical Treatment Facility Liaison for a seven-ship strike group.

Travel/Budget Clerk - June 2000 - Nov 2001, USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64), NAS North Island, San Diego, CA

Responsible for providing orders and travel arrangements for service members attending military schools Responsible for management of command’s Temporary Additional Duty budget (approximately $500,000 yearly) Assisted in processing and settlement of travel claims for reimbursement

4