Blanca Pokorney

210-464-0145
11339 Yuba Trail, San Antonio, TX 78245
Blanca.pokorney@gmail.com

RESUME OF QUALIFICATIONS

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

As Program Coordinator, the subsequent experiences, skills and abilities have been
acquired:
Strong leadership and organizational skills with the ability to manage and motivate
team members to operate as a cohesive group in a fast-paced work environment
Collaborate with the UTSA Office of International Programs to manage
implementation, maintenance, and procedures for accurate and timely reporting to
comply with immigration regulations and SEVIS reporting requirements
Responsible for the team-human resource including but not limited to compensation,
performance management, training, motivation, safety and developmental growth
Flexible, self-starter who is willing to take initiative until the job or project is
completed
Highly organized, detail-oriented, with the ability to analyze issues and concerns for
problem resolution
Bilingual-fluent in both English and Spanish
Preparation of meeting agendas and conducting meetings as a presenter or facilitator
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work effectively with a diverse population
Traveled and represented the University of Texas at San Antonio at international
recruiting fairs conducted in Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Japan,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Peru, Thailand and Vietnam to promote, support and recruit
to increase international student enrollment at the UTSA
Conducted presentations pertaining the University of Texas at San Antonio and the
Intensive English Program in English and Spanish while attending international
recruiting fairs.
Develop academic progress reports for the Saudi Cultural Missions, Embassy of
Kuwait, Turkish Ministry of Education, West African Management and other
governmental agencies that sponsor international students.
Serve as main liaison between the Office of ESL Services and international agencies
such as foreign embassies and other educational partnerships abroad
Prepare, organize and execute logistics of travel for visiting international delegations
and entities
Develop and implement organizational systems that enhance accuracy in records
retention of prospective, current, and former students to ensure privacy

EDUCATION
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Master of Education Degree - Expected May 2017

Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Bachelor of Arts-December 2009

Sociology-Minor in Spanish

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Palo Alto College- January, 2017 to Present

Department of Veterans Affairs, 1400 W. Villaret Blvd, San Antonio, Texas
78224

Intern (January, 2017 to Present)

Support the office of Veterans Affairs with special projects as assigned by the Senior
Coordinator.

The University of Texas at San Antonio -January, 2009 to Present

Offi ce of ESL Services, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas
78249

Program Coordinator (April, 2014 to Present)

Duties and responsibilities as a Program Coordinator include but are not limited to
the following: propose, coordinate and manage the implementation of international
student services within the Office of ESL Services. Evaluate program activities and
make recommendations for improvement to ensure the unit remains in alignment
with its mission. Assist in the hiring of prospective employees as part of the hiring
committee and provide training for new support staff. Plan, organize, and facilitate
staff meetings pertaining to the development of international student services.
Coordinate with Assistant Director course offerings and monitor that enrollment in
each course meet capacity standards stipulated by the UTSA Office of the Registrar.
Research new ideas pertaining international student services; propose new program
design which may include the implementation of other practices necessary to better
serve international student population. Plan, schedule and implement activities that
enhance student inclusion, academic development and intercultural awareness.
Conduct orientation training to international students outlining program policies and
expectations, emphasizing classroom engagement, and best practices to succeed
academically in U.S. classrooms. Coordinate external and internal logistics related to
the arrival, accommodation, and departure of international students participating in
short-term special language programs. Provide academic advising and personal
guidance to international students presently and formerly served by the Office of ESL
Services. Provide immigration advising to support current international students to
remain in compliance with their non-immigrant student visa. Collaborate with the
UTSA Office of International Programs to manage implementation, maintenance, and
procedures for accurate and timely reporting to comply with immigration regulations
and SEVIS reporting requirements. Present workshops to ensure that international
students within the Office of ESL Services remain in compliance with USCIS
regulations. Participate in committees, task force teams, planning groups, as
requested by the Executive Director. Collaborate with offices and departments to
provide an integrated experience that helps international students navigate campus
processes and the U.S. culture
 Assist in the management of fiscal operations including budget development,
modification and track of expenditures. Coordinate with Fiscal Services tuition
payment for government sponsored students and other educational agencies abroad.
Coordinate and organize travel logistics, expense reporting, and other administrative
tasks involved when conducting international recruitment. Prepare, organize and
execute logistics of travel for visiting international delegations and entities. Manage
support of staff timesheets in PeopleSoft. Coordinate and oversee the admission and
data processing of international applications and course registration in UTSA's Banner
system.

Program Student Advisor (February,2012-April,2014)

Acted as a liaison between the Office of ESL Services and other departments to
provide information, personal support, and advocacy for international students.
Performed accurate tracking from initial contacts and subsequent follow-up
communications, and conducted systematic follow-up routines with all inquiries
Established relationships with prospective students and their families to advise on
the programs available at the University of Texas at San Antonio as they relate to the
prospects educational goals. Reviewed IEP applications of prospective international
students to ensure applicants met admission requirements and completed admission
process in Banner registration system. Advised international students and student
groups regarding policies and procedures related to facility usage, university services
and program policies. Registered international students in their courses and
monitored their academic progress throughout the semester. Provided academic
advising and personal guidance to international students presently and formerly
served by the Office of ESL Services. Planned, developed, organized and
implemented extracurricular activities that enhanced student inclusion, academic
development and intercultural awareness of international students. Prepared
information regarding student activities for dissemination.
Coordinated with Fiscal Services tuition payment for government sponsored students
and other educational agencies abroad.

Administrative Associate II (March, 2011 to February, 2012)

Prepared employment appointments for Specialist and Teaching Assistants and
entered their academic profile in Banner system. Assisted in the hiring of prospective
employees as part of the hiring committee and provided on-the-job training for new
support staff. Participated and represented the University of Texas at San Antonio in
recruiting fairs conducted in Latin America. Performed accurate inquiry tracking of
prospective international students from initial contact through all subsequent follow-
up communications, and conducted pro-active participation in systematic follow-up
routines with all inquiries. Conducted the admission process of prospective
international students in Banner registration system. Coordinated the preparation of
international orientation, class schedules, and completed course registration. Worked
with sensitive information and maintained the highest level of confidentiality.
Performed other duties as assigned.
Coordinated activities and events for international students and collaborated with
staff and faculty to ensure the appropriate execution of each event.
Assisted in preparing departmental operating budgets. Acted as a liaison with other
department and agencies regarding inventory control, repairs and other
administrative matters. Coordinated with Fiscal Services tuition payment for
government sponsored international students and other educational agencies
abroad.
Offi ce Assistant (January, 2010 to February, 2011)
Conducted the admission process of prospective students in Banner registration
system. Completed course registration of IEP and EIS students in Banner registration
system. Entered and updated students information in Banner registration system.
Assisted with data entry and record retention of student records. Provided support to
overall functions of the Office of ESL Services, including corresponding and
communicating with prospective, current and former students. Assisted the Director
of the Office of ESL Services with the completion of special projects. Performed
receptionist duties as needed.
Assisted international students with their inclusion into the U.S. culture.

Student Assistant (January, 2009 to December, 2009)

Performed clerical duties for the Office of ESL Services. Assisted with data entry and
record retention of student records. Assisted the Executive Director with special
projects pertaining to international recruitment.

Child Protective Services- May, 2009 to August, 2009

Legal Unit, 3635 SE Military Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78223

Intern (May, 2009 to August, 2009)

Performed supervised home visitations. Assisted with interviewing clients. Assisted
Case Workers in court.
Attended court hearing related to CPS cases and maintained high levels of
confidentiality in clients cases. Assisted in home assessments of potential kinship
providers for children. Completed data entry and organized clients files as requested
by Case Workers.

Women's Center -January, 2007 to December, 2007

San Antonio College, 1819 N. Main Ave. San Antonio, Texas 78212
January 2007- December 2007- Student Assistant
Performed receptionist duties as required. Compiled and maintained monthly reports
pertaining to student usage of programs computer lab. Assisted students with
computer troubleshooting. Assisted students with the distribution of reading
assignments and textbooks. Received, inspected and stored office supplies.

INNOVATION FOR DEPARTMENT IMPROVEMENTS

Developed promotional materials in Spanish that contained information related to the
Intensive English Program (IEP) at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Developed and created student documents, such as acceptance letters, enrollment
verification letters, letters of completion, extension letters, and other documents and
forms needed to support international student services.
Collaborated with Assistant Director in implementing and developing policies and
procedures for student services in order to meet standards and merit CEA
accreditation.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
NAFSA: Association of International Educators

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Bexar County Emergency Scene Rehab (B.C.E.S.R)

Provide emergency first responders with the support they need to do their job. This
includes food, drinks, onsite shelter, medical, and any other duties as requested
Participate in recruiting and fundraising events for B.C.E.S.R.