Kari Berkas

Redmond, WA 425-894-6274 kaberkas@hotmail.com

Education
Master of Arts, Student Development Administration (Anticipated Graduation June 2016)
Seattle University Seattle, WA
Bachelor of Arts, History (May 2008)
Whitman College Walla Walla, WA

Higher Education Experience

Albers Placement Center, Albers School of Business and Economics, Seattle University Seattle, WA
Graduate Assistant (August 2014 December 2015; March 2016 Present)
Advised over 260 undergraduate students on methods to improve their resumes in 1-on-1 meetings.
Co-presented in 14 undergraduate Business Communications classes on resumes and cover letters.
Improved resume and cover letter presentation to engage different learning styles.
Demonstrated knowledge of academic policies and immigration regulations in leading a workshop on
Curricular Practical Training rules for international students.
Managed over 20 student volunteers at 2 Business and Engineering Career Fairs.
Provided key front-line support at 2 other campus-wide career fairs.
Education Abroad Office, Seattle University Seattle, WA
Temporary Administrative Assistant (January 2016 March 2016)
Demonstrated knowledge of complex education abroad policies and connection to academics, credit
transfer, and financial aid when answering questions in person and via phone and email.
Explained intricacies of education abroad options to prospective participants in information sessions.
Interacted with a variety of constituents including faculty, administrators, students, and parents.
Managed multiple administrative duties while providing attentive service to all office visitors.
Education Abroad Office, Seattle University Seattle, WA
Intern (September 2015 December 2015)
Designed a new online pre-departure orientation module using CANVAS.
Assisted staff by welcoming and orienting students at campus-wide Education Abroad Fair.
Presented on topic of cultural adjustment to 60 students at pre-departure orientation.
International Student Center, Seattle University Seattle, WA
Fukuoka Summer Program Intern (May 2015 September 2015)
Enhanced student leader preparation through increasing orientation materials and leading a detailed
training session that prepared them to effectively support exchange students.
Gained experience with writing position descriptions and interviewing candidates while recruiting
student leaders for the program.
Communicated with external organizations to arrange site visits.
Led opening days dormitory orientation for 18 Japanese exchange students.
Evaluated results from program assessment and proposed changes for future Fukuoka Summer
Programs to the Program Coordinator.
Center for International Education, University of Washington Bothell Bothell, WA
International Education Intern (March 2015 August 2015)
Gained a greater understanding of visa regulations and international students experiences in higher
education through interacting with students, meeting with professionals, and attending workshops.
Contributed ideas for an updated student handbook for new international students.

Additional Professional Experience

American Cultural Exchange Service (ACES) Bellevue, WA
Program Manager (January 2013 June 2014), Compliance Coordinator (October 2012 January 2013)
Oversaw preparation and implementation for 2 short-term exchange programs:
! 6-week National Security Language Initiative for Youth summer program sponsored by U.S.
Department of State and administered by ACES for 18 to 25 American high school students in
China and 15 students in Turkey.
! 4-week inbound Youth Ambassador Exchange program for 30+ Chinese middle school students.
Improved pre-program preparation materials for short-term programs after analyzing past student and
Resident Director evaluations.
Prepared 2 Resident Directors to support students overseas through planning and leading their
training session in 2013 and 2014.
Ensured compliance with Department of State regulations for exchange programs through reviewing
host family and Local Coordinators paperwork as Compliance Coordinator.
Seattle Childrens Museum Seattle, WA
Box Office Coordinator (July 2011 October 2012), Communications Assistant (October 2010 June 2011)
Improved processes to allow more low-income families to access the museum via outreach to and
partnership building with over 40 community agencies.
Oversaw 2 Box Office staff members, and trained 9 staff members to work in the Box Office.
Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (Izu Chuo High School) Izunokuni, Shizuoka, Japan
Assistant Language Teacher (July 2008 July 2010)
Developed and taught English lessons with 9 different Japanese teachers for 12 classes of 40 students.
Created over 20 original English lesson plans.

Educational Engagement and Accomplishments

Master of Arts Track Graduate Project (2015)
Applied to take the more difficult course of study approximately one fifth of cohort took this course.
Completed primary qualitative practitioner-based research on study abroad reentry.
Advanced recommendations to Seattle Universitys Education Abroad Office based upon findings.
Short-Term Education Abroad Course in Sweden (2015)
Traveled to Sweden in August 2015 for Comparative Educational and Social Policy course.
Assumed a leadership role by assisting the professor with preparations for the course, including
disseminating pre-departure information, beginning 8 months prior to departure.
Internship & Networking Committee Seattle University Student Development Association (2016)
Planned and facilitated a site supervisor training for new internship supervisors.
Honors
Alpha Sigma Nu (Seattle University Chapter) Member Seattle University (2016)
! Selected by Dean of College of Education for induction to Jesuit Honor Society; Induction is
reserved for 4% of each class.
Dr. Marylou Wyse Award Seattle University (2014-2016)
! Received merit scholarship awarded to 50 newly admitted graduate students in select programs.
Walter Brattain Merit Scholarship Whitman College (2004 2008)
Distinction on the senior written field exam in comparative topics in American history Whitman
College (2008)
Blue Mountain Chapter Red Cross Hometown Heroes Youth Good Samaritan Award (2008)