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Gilarie Vale Figueroa

Academic Affairs & Operations Executive | Institutional Effectiveness | Special Projects

Skills

Academic Affairs/Institutional Effectiveness
  • Academic Affairs Leadership / Academic Operations
  • Strategic Academic Planning & Execution
  • Institutional Effectiveness & KPI Monitoring
  • Academic Policy Development & Governance
  • Accreditation Readiness, Audits & Compliance
  • Regulatory Compliance (ADA, Copyright/Copyleft, ABET).
  • Assessment, SLO Review & Program Evaluation
  • Instructional Design Models & Course Conversion (Hybrid/Online)
  • Online/Hybrid Quality Assurance & Course Certification Processes
  • Learning Technologies / LMS Implementation & Standardization
  • Project Planning & Project Management
  • Budget Oversight, Profitability & Fiscal Health (Income/Expenses)
  • Enrollment Growth, Retention & Student Success Strategy
  • Enrollment Growth, Retention & Student Success Strategy
  • Workforce Partnerships & Program Pathways (CooperVision; PR Youth Challenge)
  • Federal Grant Writing & Grant Management (Title V, FIPSE)
  • Faculty Development & Training Program Leadership (12 workshops/year; 145+ faculty)
  • AI Integration in Education / AI Governance & Adoption

Certifications

  • Essentials of Responsible AI
  • Big Data and Data Science Research Ethics
  • ChatGPT for Educators
  • Responsible Conduct of Research for Faculty Mentor
  • Social Behavior Research
  • Responsible Conduct of Research Sponsored Project PI & Staff

RECOGNITIONS

  • Designer of the Certification Course of Distance Courses of the Inter American University of Puerto Rico 
  • Perfect Attendance Certificate
  • Recognition of Cooperation and Service to the Educational Community

LANGUAGES

  • Spanish
  • English

Executive Summary

Higher education leader with 10+ years of experience in academic affairs and campus operations, including strategic planning, accreditation readiness, assessment, and distance education. Proven track record of launching workforce-aligned partnerships, developing new academic offerings, and leading audits, compliance documentation, and institutional policy development. Recognized for building high-performing teams, strengthening quality systems, and driving measurable gains in enrollment, retention, and student success.

    • Lead academic affairs initiatives that align institutional mission, strategy, and measurable outcomes.
    • Drive institutional effectiveness through continuous improvement, performance indicators, and evidence-based decision-making.
    • Manage accreditation readiness and regulatory compliance through audit coordination, documentation, and reporting.
    • Design and oversee assessment processes, including SLO review and program evaluation, to strengthen academic quality.
    • Develop and execute strategic plans that support academic growth, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
    • Ensure quality in distance education by strengthening online/hybrid course design, delivery standards, and learner support.
    • Apply instructional design principles to align curricula, syllabi, calendars, and instructional materials with academic standards.
    • Develop academic policies and governance processes that support consistency, accountability, and compliance.
    • Lead cross-functional projects by coordinating stakeholders, timelines, resources, and deliverables.
    • Oversee budgets and resource allocation to ensure fiscal responsibility and effective execution of institutional priorities.
    • Build and lead high-performing teams through hiring, coaching, and performance accountability.
    • Establish workforce-aligned partnerships with external organizations to expand training opportunities and strengthen outcomes.
    • Implement student success and retention strategies that improve persistence, engagement, and completion.
    • Leverage learning technologies and educational innovation to improve teaching effectiveness and operational workflows.

Education

20142017

Doctor's Degree in Education

Nova Southeastern University

Major Concentration: Instructional Technology and Distance
Education 

20062009

Master's Degree in Education

Inter American University of Puerto Rico

Major Concentration: Sport Training

20012005

Bachelor's Degree in Athletic Therapist

University of Puerto Rico, Ponce Campus

Major Concentration: Prevention, Management and
Rehabilitation of Injuries 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES

2024Present

Director of Institutional Academic Affairs and Development of Special Projects

Dewey University
  • Co-lead the development and execution of the institution’s Academic Strategic Plan, aligning mission and vision with academic objectives and long-term institutional goals.
  • Monitor and evaluate KPIs related to educational quality, academic effectiveness, and institutional growth, translating findings into actionable improvement initiatives.
  • Collaborate in the formulation of institutional academic policies and decision-making processes that promote sustainability and advance the educational mission.
  • Lead institution-wide reviews and revisions of all academic offerings across modalities (on-campus, hybrid, and online), ensuring alignment with quality standards, accreditation requirements, workforce relevance, and institutional priorities.
  • Supervise and coordinate academic program development, ensuring curricular coherence and compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards from design through approval and implementation.
  • Lead ongoing evaluation and continuous review of academic programs, strengthening outcomes through assessment, SLO review, curriculum improvement, and quality assurance.
  • Direct the implementation, integration, and institutionalization of the institutional Educational Model across curricula, instructional design, assessment strategies, and academic governance structures.
  • Design and develop curricula, learning designs, institutional certifications, and assessment tools aligned with institutional quality frameworks and compliance expectations.
  • Design and deliver specialized certification programs for educators from the Puerto Rico Department of Education and the workforce, including Elementary Education (K–5) and Special Education (K–12), aligned with labor-market needs and quality standards.
  • Lead institutional faculty development, delivering 12 training workshops per year and training 145+ university faculty members through workshops, coaching, and professional learning initiatives.
  • Oversee institution-wide academic scheduling and programming, coordinating academic calendars, course offerings, and academic-administrative processes to ensure operational continuity and compliance.
  • Design, coordinate, and implement special projects that drive institutional growth, innovation, and academic transformation.
  • Lead strategic initiatives that support institutional development, including new areas of study, expansion of academic infrastructure, and establishment of strategic partnerships.
  • Oversee the development, approval, and implementation of new academic offerings—including the Associate Degree in Occupational Therapy and the Bachelor of Science in Speech and Language Therapy from conceptualization through regulatory and accreditation alignment.
  • Spearhead collaborative academic initiatives with public-sector partners, establishing educational pathways for high school students through agreements with the Municipalities of San Sebastián and Sabana Grande to support early college exposure and workforce readiness.
  • Develop and manage strategic alliances with external education partners, including Gersh Academy and the Puerto Rico Department of Education, focused on short-term academic programs aligned with workforce development needs.
  • Manage financial, human, and technological resources to ensure effective and efficient implementation of academic initiatives and special projects, including responsible budget oversight.
  • Ensure institutional academic programs and projects comply with local, national, and international regulations, as well as accreditation requirements.
  • Participate in and lead institutional audits and accreditation visits conducted by ABHES and the Junta de Instituciones Postsecundarias (JIP), including compliance documentation, academic policies, and regulatory reporting.
  • Lead the drafting, development, and review of institutional compliance documentation, academic policies, and regulatory reports for senior leadership.
  • Write, coordinate, and manage federally funded grant proposals (e.g., Title V and FIPSE) that were submitted and awarded, ensuring compliance, strategic alignment, and evidence of impact.
  • Promote research and the analysis of educational and technology trends that support institutional development and innovation, and foster a research culture among faculty and students.
  • Lead the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across the educational community through institutional guidelines, training, and adoption of tools that enhance teaching, learning, and operational efficiency.
  • Represent the institution in higher education forums, conferences, and leadership events; maintain relationships with government bodies and strategic entities to expand academic, research, and workforce-aligned opportunities.
  • Coordinate academic-administrative teams, set clear goals, cultivate a collaborative high-performance culture, and prepare periodic reports for senior leadership on progress and outcomes.
20222024

Director of Campus

Dewey University
  • Held full accountability for campus profitability and fiscal health, ensuring economic stability, sustainable growth, and alignment with institutional financial goals.
  • Developed and executed operational strategies and work plans to drive enrollment growth, retention, net revenue, cost control, operational efficiency, placements, and long-term sustainability.
  • Led student recruitment planning and execution to meet enrollment targets for both new and continuing students, ensuring compliance with institutional policies and standards.
  • Recruited, selected, and onboarded campus personnel, maintaining staffing levels aligned with operational needs and institutional goals.
  • Built income, expense, and funding projections; enforced budget discipline through continuous financial monitoring, controls, and performance tracking.
  • Directed and integrated campus operations across academic affairs, administrative services, student services, and facilities to ensure seamless execution and operational continuity.
  • Oversaw campus infrastructure and facilities, ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, operational readiness, and alignment with institutional growth requirements.
  • Supervised and led a multidisciplinary team of 60+ employees, strengthening accountability, performance management, and a collaborative, high-performing culture.
  • Implemented and enforced compliance with regulations governing campus-level academic and administrative processes.
  • Guided the development of administrative, academic, and student committees to strengthen governance, communication, and institutional effectiveness.
  • Monitored, analyzed, and presented institutional performance and development indicators to senior leadership through data-driven reports and recommendations.
  • Coordinated accreditation-related activities—including self-studies, audits, and site visits—ensuring evidence readiness and alignment with accrediting/regulatory expectations.
  • Strengthened community and corporate relationships, promoting ethical collaboration with commercial and community organizations.
  • Led a workforce-aligned partnership with CooperVision Caribbean Corp, creating a technical academy that graduated 450+ employees through specialized certification programs.
  • Developed and managed a partnership with the Puerto Rico Youth Challenge Academy (Puerto Rico National Guard), designing vocational coursework that supported workforce readiness and contributed to the graduation of 200+ cadets.
20212022

Academic Associate Director

Dewey University
  • Led the implementation and institutionalization of the institution’s Educational Model across certificate and undergraduate programs, curricula, instructional practices, and academic governance.
  • Managed term-based academic programming, including course scheduling and faculty workload assignments based on expertise, institutional needs, and approved academic plans.
  • Directed faculty recruitment, selection, and hiring in compliance with institutional policies, applicable laws, regulatory agency criteria, and accreditation standards.
  • Supervised and evaluated faculty performance; implemented corrective action plans as needed to ensure quality, consistency, and policy compliance.
  • Planned and delivered faculty professional development focused on pedagogical quality, instructional effectiveness, and academic excellence.
  • Provided oversight for key academic and student-support units (Program Coordinators, Lead Faculty, Registrar, Placement Services, Library/Learning Resources, Academic Advising, Student Affairs), ensuring coordinated service delivery and compliance.
  • Ensured institutional compliance across supervised areas by monitoring adherence to accreditation standards, academic regulations, institutional policies, and legal requirements.
  • Developed certificate and undergraduate academic programs aligned with institutional goals, workforce needs, and academic quality standards; supported the creation of new academic products.
  • Monitored academic program objectives and student academic progress; contributed to the Academic Achievement Committee to support student outcomes.
  • Designed and implemented a comprehensive student retention plan, establishing strategies to achieve and sustain a 75%+ retention rate.
  • Oversaw academic quality assurance processes to ensure alignment among approved curricula, syllabi, academic calendars, and instructional delivery across all modalities.
  • Coordinated assessment and evaluation processes, including review of student learning outcomes (SLOs), course effectiveness, and program performance indicators; supported accreditation readiness through documentation, evidence collection, and internal reviews for audits and site visits.
  • Partnered with institutional leadership on academic planning, enrollment projections, faculty needs analysis, and resource allocation aligned with academic priorities.
  • Led student appeals, academic progress reviews, and special academic cases, ensuring fairness, consistency, and regulatory compliance in academic decisions.
2021Present

Doctoral Dissertation Committee Chair (Department of Distance Education)

Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Ponce Campus
  • Convene and lead official meetings with students and committee members to clarify expectations, address questions, make decisions, and provide structured mentoring and feedback.
  • Support students in developing and executing a dissertation work plan, including milestones, timelines, and deliverables.
  • Facilitate resolution of disagreements among committee members and the student to achieve consensus on recommendations, needs, and next steps.
  • Ensure, throughout the dissertation lifecycle (proposal, study development, and chapter completion), that work meets academic standards and applicable ethical and legal requirements.
  • Advise students during the writing of the research proposal and dissertation chapters, strengthening scholarly rigor, coherence, and academic writing quality.
  • Participate in evaluating students’ research competencies and readiness during oral proposal defenses and final dissertation defenses.
  • Monitor research processes, including data collection, analysis, and data management practices, to ensure methodological integrity and compliance.
  • Coordinate the selection and confirmation of the oral defense reader/external reviewer, in consultation with committee members and the student.
  • Communicate student progress, concerns, and key milestones to academic leadership as needed.
20192021

Research Professor

Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Bayamon Campus
  • Conducted institutional analyses of academic systems to design, implement, and manage the conversion of traditional courses to hybrid and online modalities.
  • Evaluated the implementation of instructional design models to guide course conversions and strengthen quality and consistency across programs.
  • Designed and established an institutional macro-design (“Standard Core”) to standardize instructional design for hybrid and online courses.
  • Designed and implemented an institutional certification program focused on the design and management of hybrid/online courses, aligned with faculty and institutional needs.
  • Developed research methods and assessment tools to verify that hybrid/online course designs complied with the institution’s educational philosophy, theoretical foundations, and quality requirements.
  • Reviewed and evaluated faculty content development and course management practices within hybrid/online environments.
  • Reviewed and evaluated faculty content development and course management practices within hybrid/online environments.
  • Defined measurement parameters for key variables, including instructional design structure, academic achievement, learner satisfaction, faculty performance, and retention.
  • Produced data-informed recommendations to improve online learning practices across the Department of Distance Education and the broader institution.
  • Implemented action plans to address gaps identified in the distance education academic system, improving educational quality in hybrid/online course delivery.
  • Proposed institutional regulations and quality standards for the design, development, and management of hybrid/online courses.
  • Prepared cumulative reports and issue-resolution documentation to address recurring concerns in course design and delivery.
  • Prepared cumulative reports and issue-resolution documentation to address recurring concerns in course design and delivery.
20172019

Curriculum Development and Multimedia Specialist

Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Bayamon Campus
  • Supervised and partnered with faculty to design, revise, and develop curricula for converting traditional courses to hybrid and online modalities.
  • Reviewed instructional content to ensure alignment with approved syllabi, course requirements, and departmental curricula.
  • Ensured hybrid and online courses complied with federal, state, and institutional regulations, including Copyright/Copyleft, ADA, and applicable accreditation expectations (e.g., ABET).
  • Verified course quality and compliance with the institution’s “Guide for the Creation and Evaluation of Online Courses,” and coordinated submissions to the evaluation committee to initiate course certification.
  • Designed and delivered faculty training programs on online instructional design, educational multimedia tools, the learning management system (LMS), and online course management practices.
  • Provided technical and instructional support to faculty delivering hybrid and online courses, improving course readiness and learner experience.
  • Collaborated in the selection, implementation, and training of new educational software and multimedia tools to strengthen course development and delivery.
  • Created instructional materials and resources for workshops and institutional certification courses, supporting faculty capability-building and quality assurance.
20142016

Academic Professor/ Curriculum and Instruction Specialist (School of Health)

MBTI Business Training Institute
  • Recommended, designed, and updated course syllabi and curricula for multiple courses within the School of Health, aligned with institutional standards and program requirements.
  • Developed and delivered course instruction in accordance with institutional policies, academic calendars, and approved instructional guidelines.
  • Designed assessment tools aligned with course learning objectives to measure student performance and support continuous improvement.
  • Implemented curriculum retention plan procedures aligned with higher education agency expectations, including ACICS requirements.
  • Developed and applied instructional strategies to strengthen teaching effectiveness, student engagement, and classroom learning outcomes.
  • Maintained a cohort retention rate of 70%+ in alignment with ACICS expectations and internal retention targets.
  • Maintained a cohort retention rate of 70%+ in alignment with ACICS expectations and internal retention targets.
  • Participated in institutional meetings, seminars, and professional development activities to support academic alignment and continuous improvement.
20062012

Instructor

Inter American University of Puerto Rico, San German Campus
  • Designed and developed course syllabi prior to each academic term and built course schedules aligned with approved syllabi and departmental standards.
  • Selected and applied effective teaching strategies aligned with academic department expectations and course learning outcomes.
  • Designed and facilitated learning activities to achieve course objectives and strengthen student engagement and performance.
  • Supervised clinical practice experiences across health-related academic programs, ensuring proper guidance, documentation, and alignment with program requirements.
  • Provided individualized academic guidance and student support to promote achievement of academic and personal goals, and referred students to appropriate institutional resources as needed.
  • Identified learner needs, including learning differences and barriers, and coordinated referrals to available support services to strengthen student success.
  • Developed assessment methods and evaluation criteria aligned with course requirements to measure learning and ensure fairness and consistency.
  • Supported first-term students in improving academic adjustment and overall educational experience within the institution.
  • Directed and mentored students in the development of research projects, supporting academic rigor and timely completion.
  • Implemented strategies to improve learning habits, persistence, and retention in alignment with academic program policies.
  • Delivered seminars and presentations on successful adaptation to university life and academic expectations.
  • Strengthened students’ technology skills to enhance learning strategies and course performance.

Research

  • Students Motivation and Achievement Based to Their Learning Style According to the Used of Electronic Portfolio
  • Implementation and Adaptation of an Instructional Model in the Academic Programs of Online Courses of the School of Engineering

  • Experiences Of Adult Students Enrolled Online with the Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Learning in a Higher Education Institution 

Committee

  • AD HOC Committe:  Institutional Committee of the Deparment of Distance Education
  • AD HOC Committe: Evaluation of Certificate of Distance Courses of the Inter American University of Puerto Rico

Curricular Activities

  • Speaker: PEAFAL, 2019: Best Practices in Distance Education. Ponce, Puerto Rico
  • PEAFAL, 2017: Best Practices in Distance Education. Ponce, Puerto Rico
  • NOVA, 2015: Summer Conference: Research, Learning and Global Leadership. Fort Lauderdale, Florida