Lealan Zaccone

 

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

 

·         Experienced eLearning administrator & distance training professional skilled in managing thousands of online courses and motivating online learning. Strong understanding of various online platforms, learning management systems, and computer technologies related to distance learning. 

 

·         Have a Masters Degree in Distance Education and Four specialized certificates in Distance Learning & Training.

 

·         Three years of experience in the field of distance training; e-learning, and workforce development training; with an emphasis on market analysis, the e-learning industry, and lifelong learning. Responsible for managing the planning, development, delivery, and implementation of online training programs; and overseeing the use and upkeep of equipment/software/technologies used to deliver e-learning programs.

 

·         A working knowledge of selecting, managing and combining resources in quality eLearning partnerships. Demonstrated competencies in evaluating the e-learning industry and developing partnerships by identifying: the reputation of vendors, resources available, location and accessibility of resources, cost range, maintenance, upgrades and support infrastructures.

 

·         Strong understanding of demographic & socio-economic issues, target marketing, political & economic trends, the knowledge/global economy, technological advances, and how to identify internal/external issues influencing the field of distance learning.

 

·         Experienced in the adult learning theory, student affairs & support services, career planning, and workforce training. Proficient in organizing and supporting eLearning practices and blended learning services; able to communicate effectively with online technologies and in virtual environments.

 

·         Recognized   as an exceptional team player with proven ability to research, organize, and upgrade academic, educational, career and computer resources. Technical skills include web design, online technologies, management systems & basic networking & programming principles.  

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

Project Management

 

·        Developed and wrote a strategic business plan for an ACT Center as part of a nationwide Workforce Development Training/Testing Center at Northampton Community Colleges; prepared plan of action, organized learning management system, eLearning courses and customized content, prepared roll-out schedule and managed budget for the development and implementation of the partnership.

 

·        Performed a complete market analysis targeting the use of distance training in our region. Presented an overview of the planning, resource allocation and promotional tasks required to launch and sustain eLearning as part of the mission of our existing training programs within our academic institution.

 

·        Organized the relationship/partnership between the proposed distance training project and other educational providers (ACT Center Network), publisher & testing vendors, community leaders and federal programs.

 

·        Conducted research to identify prospective goals and trends affecting distance training programs, i.e.: blended learning solutions, changing workforce demographics, global markets studies, budget implications, eLearning partnerships, SCORM standards, budget implications, and competition in the eLearning market.

 

·        Able to convey and get others actively involved in the value of eLearning and earn institutional support for online training; articulated and promoted the concept of distance training (through a partnership w/ ACT), and communicated the scope and intent of the program, describing its role within the organization's mandate and its benefits to our local workforce, for the users, and for the organization.

 

Workforce Development Training

 

·        Responsible for managing and developing strategic partnerships with local companies to deliver e-learning course through the WEDnetPA program; managed hundreds of corporate users and accounts through our learning management system and supported users with various help desk functions; generated online contracts, user accounts and passwords. 

 

·        Responsible for directing and coordinating the planning, marketing and implementation of our e-learning programs to gain widespread support in the corporate arena based on the vision, strategic business plan and operational goals of the Community Education Division at the college and our ACT Center.

 

Student Services & Learning Support

 

·        Able to maintain a high level of customer support, which includes the ability to identify the changing needs of adult learners and an understanding of cultural diversity and online training environments.   

 

·        Established connections with academic departments, faculty members, students and people in the community to promote and expose career services such as job searching strategies, interviewing skills, resume writing techniques, employer networking, career decision making, co-operative education, student retention, and personal counseling.

 

·        Implemented and designed programs to work successfully with area business, government, and non-profit organizations for on-campus recruitment, career fairs, and job referrals. Able to obtain a general profile of prospective eLearners and their learning needs and goals.

 

·        Trained and assisted counseling/career services division in using the online career program: Discover, customizing the program to department needs; taught and developed career plan for students using the assessment, and created a monthly newsletter consisting of current career trends, job-searching skills, resume writing techniques, and interviewing strategies.

 

·        Counseled and motivated a diverse population of individuals in academic, career, and educational concerns; prepared single parents, displaced homemakers, and people interested in nontraditional careers for the job market; presented Job Search Workshops to New Choices/New Options classes focusing on online services & job placement.  

 

Teaching, Technical & Administrative Duties

 

·        Utilized various assessment instruments including The Strong Interest Inventory, The Myers-Briggs Type (MBTI) Indicator, and ACT Uniact to help program participants explore career interests and skills.

 

·        Strong knowledge of computer software programs: Windows, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Print Shop Publisher, Internet, Webtycho, Frontpage

 

·        Created and designed website for New Choices/New Options program; developed a web page linking online career services and resources to other sites online.

 

·        Organized curriculum and facilitated lectures for basic computer classes: Sample classes included: Windows Simplified, Surfing the Web for a Job, Introduction to Windows, Introduction to ELearning, Microsoft Applications, Discover: Developing an Online Career Portfolio, and a Career Development Course (online)

 

EMPLOYMENT

 

Assistant Director of Business Training Resources Northampton Community College, Bethlehem, PA 6/04present

 

ACT Center Director  Northampton Community College, Bethlehem, PA 4/99-5/2004

 

Job Placement Coordinator  / Computer Trainer Northampton Community College, Bethlehem, PA 4/99-5/2004

 

Curriculum/Career Development Specialist Lehigh Carbon Community College, Schnecksville, PA, 8/97-4/98

 

Career Advisor & Tutor Howard Community College, Columbia, MD, 1/96-6/97

 

College Recruiter/Graduate Assistant       Loyola College, Columbia, MD, 1/94-05/96

 

 

EDUCATION (financed 100%)

 

 

Pursuing a Masters of Distance Education (OMDE) University of Maryland University College  and four specialized certificates in: Technology & DE, Training at a Distance, Foundation of DE, and Teaching at a Distance.

 

Specialized Training in Networking Administration; Webpage Design; & E-Commerce, Northampton Community College 1999-2004

 

Clinical Counseling    Loyola College M.S. ( 32 credits) Columbia, MD

 

Industrial/Organizational Psychology B.A. Moravian College, Bethlehem,PA