Nicole Sandra Loya
Swansboro
Summary
Results-oriented leader with expertise in career counseling and program development. Skilled in budget management and team leadership, fostering student engagement and success. Committed to empowering military-connected individuals through customized educational pathways and compliance oversight, delivering impactful outcomes in various educational environments.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director, Military Off-Campus Sites
Coastal Carolina Community College
Jacksonville
03.2024 - Current
- Lead operations for off-campus military education sites supporting Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River.
- Oversee Tuition Assistance (TA) programs and ensure compliance with DoD MOU, federal, and institutional policies.
- Manage a $250K annual budget, monitor expenditures, and implement financial controls.
- Develop and implement policies to improve advising, testing services, and operational efficiency.
- Collaborate with military partners, ESOs, and community stakeholders to expand program access.
- Lead the development, scheduling, and oversight of evening course offerings at the Camp Lejeune Education Center, expanding access to education for active-duty service members.
- Supervise academic counselors and testing coordinators; provide training, mentorship, and performance oversight.
- Provide career counseling and transition support to active-duty service members, veterans, and dependents.
- Advise students on VA benefits, TA, workforce training, and career pathways aligned with labor market data.
Board of Directors
Jacksonville Onslow Re-Entry Council
Jacksonville
01.2023 - Current
- Provide strategic leadership for programs supporting the reintegration of justice-involved individuals.
- Led strategic initiatives that enhanced re-entry programs for individuals transitioning from incarceration, improving access to support services.
- Advocate for policy changes to improve support services for returning citizens in Jacksonville.
- Establish partnerships with local businesses to generate job opportunities for participants, facilitating successful reintegration into the community.
- Collaborate with community partners to develop initiatives and secure funding through targeted grants and outreach efforts.
- Monitor program effectiveness and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
- Support budgeting, financial oversight, and long-term sustainability planning.
- Direct the organization's daily operations, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Coordinator, Career Center & Student Activities
Coastal Carolina Community College
Jacksonville
03.2022 - 02.2024
- Developed career readiness programming, including résumé development, interview preparation, and job search strategies.
- Integrated labor market data and career assessments into advising practices.
- Supervised staff to deliver effective career counseling and student services.
- Directed Career Center operations, including career advising, workshops, and employer engagement.
- Planned and executed campus-wide events to enhance student engagement and retention.
- Collaborated with faculty and leadership to embed career readiness into academic programs.
- Assessed program effectiveness through data collection to inform continuous improvement initiatives.
- Developed and implemented student engagement initiatives that foster inclusion, leadership, and community involvement.
Academic Counselor
Coastal Carolina Community College
Jacksonville
01.2021 - 03.2022
- Guided students in program selection, course planning, and completion strategies aligned with academic and career goals.
- Provided academic and career advising for workforce training, continuing education, and credential programs.
- Delivered career development services, including résumé writing, interview preparation, and job search strategies.
- Facilitated workshops on career readiness, employability skills, and workforce pathways, contributing to student preparedness.
- Enhanced enrollment, retention, and completion rates by developing individualized student success plans.
- Provided guidance on VA benefits and Tuition Assistance for military-connected students.
- Developed transfer plans and supported students through academic and personal challenges.
- Collaborated with ESOs and community partners to connect students with employment opportunities.
- Oversaw $195K budget, analyzing financial data to assess program effectiveness and inform decision-making.
School Counselor
Swansboro High School
Swansboro
08.2018 - 01.2021
- Provided academic, college, and career counseling for students in grades 8–12.
- Led college readiness initiatives, including financial aid workshops and application support.
- Implemented district programs to promote college and career readiness, increasing student engagement in post-secondary planning.
- Supported diverse student populations, including at-risk, ESL, and AIG students, fostering inclusive environments and tailored guidance.
- Coordinated master scheduling and state testing to streamline processes and enhance student assessment experiences.
Assessment Coordinator / School Counselor
Clear Creek Schools
Evergreen
08.2016 - 06.2018
- Coordinated school-wide assessment programs, ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements to enhance educational quality.
- Analyzed student performance data to identify trends, informing instructional improvement and guiding school planning initiatives.
- Provided counseling services, including academic planning, crisis intervention, and career readiness.
- Led RtI processes and facilitated collaboration among teams to effectively support special populations.
504 Coordinator / School Counselor
Stateside Elementary
Jacksonville
08.2015 - 06.2016
- Developed and managed 504 plans, ensuring compliance with federal regulations to support student access to education.
- Provided counseling services and coordinated targeted interventions, fostering student success and well-being.
- Delivered staff training on accommodations and student support strategies, enhancing educators' effectiveness in meeting diverse student needs.
English Teacher
Onslow County Schools
Swansboro
08.2011 - 06.2015
- Assessed student progress through diverse evaluation methods and feedback sessions to tailor instruction.
- Collaborated with colleagues to create interdisciplinary learning experiences for students.
- Provided individualized support to students struggling with language skills.
- Organized extracurricular activities that enhanced student involvement and fostered personal growth.
- Communicated regularly with parents regarding student performance and needs.
- Created lesson plans, handouts, and other materials for teaching English grammar, reading comprehension, and creative writing skills.
- Adapted teaching methods based on each student's unique needs and abilities.
- Made learning grammar fun by involving problem-solving and language play.
- Developed and implemented English curriculum aligned with student needs and learning objectives.
- Conducted classroom activities to encourage student engagement in language learning.
- Assessed student performance through tests, quizzes, and other forms of assessment.
- Integrated media content in class to improve listening skill, speaking skill and vocabulary.
- Demanded spoken and written responses from students to enhance reading comprehension.
- Encouraged student critical thinking and discussion using a variety of teaching techniques.
- Encouraged self-expression among learners through oral presentations or role plays.
- Designed clear and creative learning materials to promote student engagement in pronunciation exercises.
- Explored different approaches to help students improve their reading comprehension skills.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop new strategies for teaching English as a second language.
- Customized innovative methods and materials to produce effective learning experiences.
Educator & Program Leader
Perris Union School District
Perris
08.2008 - 06.2011
- Designed and delivered standards-based curriculum to diverse student populations.
- Led English Language Development programs, supporting English Learners through targeted instruction.
- Coordinated assessments and analyzed student data to inform instructional strategies and enhance academic outcomes.
- Facilitated parent engagement workshops and student support initiatives to strengthen community involvement and support student success.
- Served in leadership roles including NJHS Advisor, WASC Team Leader, and ELAC President.
- Developed engaging lesson plans that fostered active learning and improved student engagement.
- Collaborated with colleagues to implement educational programs and initiatives.
- Monitored student progress and provided constructive feedback for improvement.
- Integrated technology into lessons to support interactive learning environments.
Education
M.Ed. - School Counseling & Guidance
Azusa Pacific University
05-2011
B.A. - English Literature
University of Colorado Boulder
05-2006
Ed.D. - Higher Education Leadership & Administration
Liberty University (In Progress)
04-2026
Skills
- Military career guidance
- Military education support
- Program development
- Program accreditation
- Student recruitment
- Admissions management
- Enrollment forecasting
- Financial management
- Budget administration
- Regulatory compliance
- Institutional assessment
- Strategic planning
- Team leadership
- Staff management
- Workshop facilitation
- Continuing education
- Document management
Additional Experience And Leadership
- High School Transition Coordinator, Coastal Carolina Community College, Delivered post-secondary presentations and guided students through admissions and financial aid processes.
- National Junior Honor Society Advisor / WASC Team Leader / ELAC President, Led student leadership programs, accreditation efforts, and parent engagement initiatives.
Certification
- Academically Gifted, ECU
- TESOL, University of San Diego
Licensure And Credentials
- North Carolina, Educator License, School Counselor, English 6–12, AIG
- Colorado, Educator Licenses, ELA 7–12; School Counselor
- California, Credentials, Pupil Personnel Services; English 6–12; CLAD Certification
Professional Development
- DoD MOU Compliance Training, 2024
- Green Zone Training – Military-Connected Students
- NC Community College Systems Conference
- NC Counseling Association Conference
- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Timeline
Director, Military Off-Campus Sites
Coastal Carolina Community College
03.2024 - Current
Board of Directors
Jacksonville Onslow Re-Entry Council
01.2023 - Current
Coordinator, Career Center & Student Activities
Coastal Carolina Community College
03.2022 - 02.2024
Academic Counselor
Coastal Carolina Community College
01.2021 - 03.2022
School Counselor
Swansboro High School
08.2018 - 01.2021
Assessment Coordinator / School Counselor
Clear Creek Schools
08.2016 - 06.2018
504 Coordinator / School Counselor
Stateside Elementary
08.2015 - 06.2016
English Teacher
Onslow County Schools
08.2011 - 06.2015
Educator & Program Leader
Perris Union School District
08.2008 - 06.2011
M.Ed. - School Counseling & Guidance
Azusa Pacific University
B.A. - English Literature
University of Colorado Boulder
Ed.D. - Higher Education Leadership & Administration
Liberty University (In Progress)