Welcome to my site! It’s a work in progress as I become more adept with WordPress. Please look around, check out the tabs, and don’t forget to send a message if you would like to connect or simply say hello. I’ll include a secure contact form below. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions regarding my interests, experiences, current ventures, travels, goals, workout routines…I think you get the gist.

Regarding my work in academia, I focus on student affairs and services, advocacy, and policy initiatives, besides teaching. I’ve been very pleased to have made connections in government and to be working alongside organizations who strive to put the best interests of students first and foremost. Though I have experience at the secondary level as a teacher and advocate, I have spent roughly eight years working at the postsecondary level. I enjoy working for both secondary and postsecondary students in both public and private institutions, and I’ve learned that I excel when part of a well diversified team. 

Besides my love for education, I have experience working for large and small companies in areas of tech, sales, customer retention, and management. I’ve worked on various teams in a corporate structure as well as small business environment, but I also perform well with solo projects. I’ve discovered that a mix between the two are ideal. Colleagues describe me as open-minded, resilient, supportive, and conscientious. Though I appear reserved at times, it’s really my preference to fully understand goals and expectations before dedicating the time and energy. I don’t like rushing anything to conclusion, and rather enjoy the journey of hard work and problem solving. The reward is that much sweeter in the end.

Thanks for stopping by, 

Paul V.

My experience outlined below is in chronological order. Feel free to skim. 

Policy Specialist: (April 2018-Present): My current work and focus is on student affairs, policy analysis, examination of Title IV/R2T4 policy, best practice initiatives, student retention methods, and innovating problem solving approaches to current postsecondary issues. 

Presented to the Department of Justice and Veterans Affairs

Collaborates with Veterans Education Success (Washington D.C.) and  Harvard Law School’s Project on Predatory Student Lending

Advising and assisting non-profit initiatives that research, promote, and advocate best practices in postsecondary education

Pietra Maya Properties-Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Mexico (July 2018 – March 2019): Property management for villas in The Riviera Maya, Bahia Principe.

Marketing and acquisition, partnering with local travel and tour businesses

Colorado Technical University-Schaumburg, IL  ( 2013 – 2017): Cohort Administrator and Manager, Instructor, Advisor                                                                                                                           

Student affairs, faculty development, career education, administration, and retention responsibilities for a diverse cohort of 600-800 traditional and non-traditional college students

Teamed with Program Chairs and faculty administration regarding best practices to resolve student conflicts and determine ethical resolutions for high priority escalations

Promptly administered new and time relevant academic policies and procedures

Collaborated with Financial Aid, Prior Learning, Career Services, Registrar, and Student Service departments for the removal of barriers that impede academic success

Assisted with academic metric development to create and implement academic progress plans, SAP, strategies, policies and procedures

Maintained over 85% average retention rate for a large student cohort which represented a university budget that exceeded $1,000,000

Facilitated online Orientation courses at the start of each session, which involved teaching and grading for 75-100 students

Developed learning tools that aid in the success of non-traditional diverse student populations

Communicated closely with students on an individual and group basis

Worked with teams of academic coaches to develop and establish academic policies and procedures

Operated CRMs to ensure target goals were exceeded  

Career Education Corporation/Colorado Technical University-Lombard, IL   (2011 – 2012): Wounded Warrior Project Facilitator, Liaison                                                                                

Co-managed the Wounded Warrior Scholarship project at Colorado Technical University. Responsible for educating and advising 200-250 scholarship recipients and reporting to the Wounded Warrior Board the retention and success metrics

Collaborated with the Military Admissions VP and Board to determine 50 new scholarship recipients per academic year

Helped facilitate the scholarship reward ceremony for wounded soldiers in Washington D.C. and Fort Bragg

Developed a retention and academic progress monitoring system for scholarship recipients

Resolved student academic and financial conflicts with the help of Military Education Benefits, Prior Learning Assessment, and Registrar

Worked with the Vice President of Military Education on a regular basis to discuss progress and maintenance of program

Created and implemented a student aid for Wounded Warriors titled “Advice from the Front Lines,” which helped scholarship recipients acclimate to the college environment and connect with peers and professors

Colorado Technical University-Schaumburg, IL (2009 – 2010): Student Advisor – Student Advising                                                                                                   

Performed activities in student outreach, faculty monitoring, Satisfactory Academic Progress and overall degree progress for 1,000+ students. Adherence to all University policies and procedures necessary for compliance with external standards as set by accrediting and licensing organizations.

Provided student-centered support services to sustain accelerated learning

Administered Student Success Plans for students in need of additional support

Adherence to Save Our Students (S.O.S.) policies/procedures focusing on student retention

Advised at-risk students with significant life challenges

Counseled students regarding course and program content in degree program of study

*Experience Prior to 2009 includes social service, teaching at the secondary level, and general craftsman. 

Lake Park  High School (Roselle, Illinois)

College of Dupage (Glen Ellyn, Illinois) – Associates, Business.

University of Illinois (Urbana/Champaign, Illinois)  – Bachelor of Science, Human Development and Family Studies

National Louis University (Chicago, Illinois) – Master of Arts, Teaching 

Certifications: Illinois State Board of Education – Secondary Ed Teaching Licence: (Biological Science, General Science, Social Science, Psychology, Health/Wellness)

Appreciative Advising Program – University of South Carolina

ESL Instruction for Adults – Literacy of DuPage

National Academy of Sports Medicine 

“Passion” is a very strong word. You may have been asked before, “What are your passions?” I find that people are often at a loss for words when asked this. There’s no telling if a person’s passion for a career, hobbie, belief, or interest will persist, especially during and after challenging times. I believe a person is completely free to change passions and pursue new ones; however, when I observe myself past and present, I see common themes that stoke a great deal of positive energy and enjoyment. These themes need no reminder, and it’s as if I have no control over their influence. These are some of the passions (themes) that drive much of my life (most of these will be mentioned in other areas of my site as well): 

Teaching, Advising, and Mentoring: Most of my career has involved teaching, advising, and mentoring in some capacity. I greatly enjoy assisting people reach their full potential, discover their unique gifts, and maximise opportunities for growth in professional and personal life; whether I do so teaching in a classroom, advising new recruits, bridging relationships, or mentoring corporate employees. In sales, customer retention, management, classroom teaching, and collaborating with multiple organizations, I’ve discovered that I’m passionate about teaching, simplifying, and clarifying processes, lessons, skills, and principles. It’s very rewarding to see employees, students, and colleagues learn something new, apply that new knowledge and skill, and feel empowered to be their best.

Developing and Maintaining Positive Relationships: Not only do I enjoy the reward of establishing great relationships between myself and others, I also love bridging relationships between strangers, whether they be clients, colleagues, students, or neighbors. I become energized when people get together, develop friendships, and become advocates for one another, especially when they are worlds apart. To do this, I tend to naturally focus on the similarities we (or they) have and bring to light the benefits of partnership. 

Community: I feel empowered when surrounded by a strong sense of community. I’d like to think we all do. The more diverse the community, the more enlivened I am. There is so much to be learned from the people around us. My hope is to share my experiences and knowledge to better the communities I belong to. 

Helping: I’m excited to help people in need; especially the vulnerable and at-risk. Including the excluded is a passion of mine. I believe there is so much potential to be discovered in people who are often overlooked. I think of colleagues I’ve worked with who were extremely talented in particular areas, but felt undervalued and overlooked. I also think of the less fortunate among us who are viewed through conditioned frames of bias and preference. I strongly believe that everyone has incredible potential that can be manifested and applied. In the workplace and  personal life, I’m always motivated after having been a part of someone’s self-discovery. I’m not sure if there’s any feeling greater than that. 

Learning: Curiosity is a habit of mine. I believe every teacher should be a student, and students can always teach their teachers something new and valuable. I believe reading and researching should be a regular practice, but I believe the heart of learning is listening. I strive to become a better listener. In our culture, it is incredibly difficult to slow down and simply listen; when I do that, I learn a lot. I gain so much when I observe objectively and listen. 

Creating: “You’re so creative.” I’ve heard that from friends and family for years. Typically they’re referring to my art, photographs, or picking out a tune on the guitar. Other times they’re referring to my jokes and spin on the world. My response to this compliment is usually, “And so are you. What ideas do you have?” I’m a strong believer that we all have immense creative potential. It just needs to be tapped into and exercised. 

Exploration: Every since I was a child, I get a ton of energy by wandering off and exploring areas foreign and exciting. Growing up, this was often in wild fields and forests around the neighborhood. As I got older, it became National Parks across the USA, and then on to other countries. However, I like to think of exploration being beyond the physical world – mapping out the research on a new topic, taking on a new venture, or exploring relationships. It may be the fear of the unknown that drives this passion, since it turns into a rewarding excitement of self-discovery. 

Health and Wellness: I haven’t always been interested in health and wellness. Having cared for critically ill loved ones, and losing a few relatives to preventable illnesses, I developed a passion for health. I can’t say that it’s an obsession, since I still have a bit of a sweet-tooth, but it certainly is a driving motivator in my life. I workout nearly everyday and maintain a disciplined diet, all for the purpose of feeling my best – which I do. 

Keeping the Peace: Conflict plays a role in business and work. I recognize that fact. However, I’m often recognized as the person who can calm the storm and encourage a more positive perspective. Not all conflicts can be resolved; but I believe all parties can learn to improve their conflict resolution skills, including myself. I find a lot of motivation in seeing conflicting parties make amends and work together peacefully, even if differences of opinion prevail. 

Some of my current goals (short-term and long-term) include the following:

Developing professionally as a leader, mentor, advocate, teacher, and student.

Establishing a non-profit organization that focuses on the betterment of at-risk students in underprivileged communities.  

Learning Espanol beyond the basics; to a moderate level. 

Improving my technicological skills: becoming more adept at online marketing, WordPress, MS Access, fundamental coding, and web design. 

Continuing to grow a supportive network of professionals and friends within business, education, and advocacy. 

Broadening my library. Reading at least one new book per month.

Practicing guitar on a more consistent schedule; becoming adept in the styles of Spanish and Folk. 

Becoming a mentor to more youth and young adults who are striving to improve their chances for success, as they define it.

Teaching at-risk youth and young adults pertinent life skills in their journey toward independence. 

Providing help to non-traditional, handicapped, and vulnerable students through volunteering, financing, and education. 

Writing an informational book regarding the challenges of higher education in present day America. Preferably using a mix of narrative, satire, and research. 

Visiting the continent of Asia. More specifically…traveling to Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, and India. 

Maintaining and growing the wonderful and positive relationships made over the years. 

Expanding my investment portfolio into additional market sectors. 

Summiting another mountain within the next two years. 

Making progress in my weekly sprint routines.

I’ve been revisiting The Riviera Maya (Quintana Roo) in Mexico, as I really like the mystic feel of the Mexican Caribbean. Mayan Ruins, cenotes, playas (beaches), great food, vibrant culture, sunshine, and wonderful people with great smiles…I encourage you to visit Playa del Carmen, Akumal, or Tulum if you get the chance. 

Besides my adventures in Mexico, I’ve traveled most of Europe. I have family who live in Luca Dei Marsi, Italy. Visiting them has been challenging, since it’s so far away and I don’t speak Italian fluently, but somehow we get by and understand each other – I think it’s the hand gestures. Life is beautiful in Italy. If someone has never been to Europe, I encourage them to visit Brussels to get acquainted with the continent – I found that Brussels has a lot of diversity as you can hear French, German, Dutch, and Italian spoken in the streets, and the cuisine is incredible. I probably felt most foreign in Sicily – it has a culture quite separate from the Italian mainland; Sicily is a gorgeous island. 

My European outdoor adventures, such as river cascading and mountain hiking, were had in Interlaken (Switzerland) and Chamonix (France). Visiting the American grounds and military cemetery in Normandy was a highlight, as well as walking Omaha Beach. And my thirst for classical music was quenched in Vienna. Europe has so much to offer. With the Eurail, it’s fairly easy to get around Europe. 

Regarding the United States, I’ve visited most states accept Alaska and Louisiana. I have a special place in my heart for the western states, especially the Southwest. That is probably due to my love for hiking and the outdoors. 

I would really like to make Asia a ‘coming soon’ trip. My oldest brother recently moved to the Philippines, so perhaps that will be my next stop. I would really be interested in visiting Vietnam, Cambodia, and Japan. 

Please message me if you have any travel experience, advice, or would like to share a story. Sharing the world with people is wonderful. My hope is that you have traveled well, or plan to do so soon. There’s a whole world to know, and it’s out there waiting for you.

Health and wellness have always been a priority for me. I know what it feels like to be sick, and have cared for loved ones who were critically ill. I don’t believe in “the perfect diet”; however, I believe that the phrase “moderation is key” is taken to the extreme. I once heard a person say “everything in moderation…including moderation” – I totally agree. I’m a believer in finding what works for the individual. We’re built uniquely. 

Because I continue to lift weights, I stick to a lot of healthy proteins (fish, eggs, yogurt, chicken, and red meat on occasion). Without the right amount of protein, I don’t recover well from strenuous workouts, so I try to get over 100 grams of protein per day at the least. I’m also a big believer in healthy fats (who needs a six-pack?), so olive oil is a staple. Carbs – love them. I hear a lot of fad diets talk about the dangers of eating carbohydrates; I can’t speak for others, but my body needs this essential macronutrient. If I go without carbohydrates, I just don’t have much fuel left over for tomorrow. I get most of my carbohydrates from oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and homemade pizza (of course). Vegetables are a daily necessity – it’s taken me a while to enjoy broccoli and spinach, but now I can’t go without these two foods. Since I tend to have a sweet-tooth, I try to limit eating high sugar foods – maybe once a week. In essence, this is the diet I tend to follow. It works for my body and exercise schedule; but I’m constantly learning and tweaking. It’s essentially a hobby – my goal is to simply feel and be my best, prepared for new challenges. 

Regarding my workout routines, I apply the same philosophy as I do to investing: diversification, timing, patience, and persistence. I practice the HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) style of exercising. It saves me a lot of time, and gets wonderful results (feeling great, fast recovery, low blood pressure, growth, and posture). I believe that at any age a person can diversify their workout routine to hit all the major musculoskeletal groups and improve health (or at least feel better than they have been). I also believe in starting slowly and not risking injury. It’s better to do a little each day, persistently, than going full throttle and suffering a setback. 

I’ll post below links to HIIT information, as well as some links to videos that I’ve personally found helpful. Just click on the words if interested:

HIIT for Beginners

HIIT Explanation 

Athlean-X   (YouTube Channel Created By a Physical Therapist)

Optimal Training  (A good discussion on Optimal Training philosophy)

Some of my hobbies include: 

Exercising and Hiking: Staying in good shape is a priority that is also a hobby. I enjoy studying physiology and health – at one point I decided to become certified as a personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. I’ll probably always keep a gym membership, as weightlifting is a very zen like experience for me. I also enjoy pushing myself outdoors during sprints routines and long treks. Whether it’s hiking trails in Escalante or Rocky Mountain National Park, I’m happy hiking anywhere with natural beauty. 

Traveling. When I travel, I typically stay away from all inclusive resorts. I like to go off the beaten path and interact with locals, getting into the culture as best as I can. Most of the time it’s been rewarding; a few times risky, but for me that’s part of the fun and experience. I tend to travel to National Parks across the U.S. or to Central America. The Riviera Maya has been a favorite place of mine, which I love to explore – if you’ve never swam in a cenote, please do. 

Cooking: In essence, I’m a spice buff. I’m not sure which I like more, cinnamon or oregano. Another one of my hobbies is finding and tweaking recipes. After finding my grandmother’s homemade pizza recipe I was determined to recreate her long lost pan pizza. Learning how to make a pizza from scratch was difficult, but incredibly rewarding. I’m often told I need to open my own pizza restaurant, since I bake way too many pizzas for friends and family. 

Investing: Since I was a teenager, I’ve enjoyed investing in equities. Studying investment trends may sound boring to most people, but I enjoy it, from a fiscally conservative mindset. Colleagues, friends, and family often ask me for conservative advice regarding retirement accounts and portfolios. I take an educational approach: I believe that everyone should have an interest in their finances and know how to safely invest in a diversified portfolio. Rebalancing and choosing diverse equities and funds are enjoyable. Seeing the long-term growth is rewarding. I typically point people to Vanguard if they’re new to investing; especially if they don’t have a Roth IRA. 

Creating: Music and art are an important part of my life. I enjoy dabbling with the guitar with friends and solo, painting (primarily with acrylics), photography (as you can see from some of my photos below), and designing. 

Writing: I enjoy creative writing when time allows. Improving my writing skills is a priority. Every week I attempt to write something that flows unencumbered.

Other hobbies include reading, landscaping, handiwork, and website designing….

In no particular order, these are some of the books that I enjoy reading to motivate myself, stay accountable, and return to for inspiration. Some are technical (such as The Intelligent Investor and The Elements of Style), but most of these books are metaphysical in nature, as I’m a strong believer in keeping a healthy mind and sound principles in professional and personal ventures. If you’ve read, or decide to read, any of these books, feel free to message me your thoughts – I’d love to hear them. I’ll link the titles to review sites, in case you’d like to explore the books. 

The Essential Wooden   (by John Wooden)

Positive Intelligence   (by Shirzad Chamine)

Dale Carnegie’s Lifetime Plan For Success   (by Dale Carnegie)

The Intelligent Investor   (by Benjamin Graham)

Rework   (by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson)

The Power of Now   (by Eckhart Tolle)

Awareness   (by Anthony de Mello)

The Elements of Style   (by William Strunk and E.B. White)

I’ve learnt that choosing the right photos are essential for a personal website. I have so many photos that I’ve taken throughout my travels, yet I chose my summiting of  Half Dome for the site banner. The reason being: I enjoy a great challenge and the feeling of accomplishment, the photo speaks to my love of the outdoors and travel, and it’s a reminder that I’m a small fish in a very big sea. I’ve hiked many mountain trails, but Half Dome was especially difficult. That particular trek wasn’t difficult for it’s elevation, incline, or terrain (though those were major factors that required preparation); the test for me was mostly mental. 

The Half Dome trail requires a seventeen mile, strenuous round-trip, a total hiking time of twelve hours on average. With that amount of mileage, time, and terrain, I was dependent on my boots; however, I discovered my new boots were too heavy for the steep Yosemite inclines. About two miles into the climb, the boots started to cause severe sores on both of my heels. Using the bandages and tape I brought in case of an emergency, I did the best I could to buffer the boots’ friction and protect the cuts and sores; but acclivity was winning the battle. The boots tore right through the dressing. This was a once in a lifetime hike, and I was facing defeat only four miles into it. 

I stopped by one of the many waterfalls to weigh my options: Continue without proper dressing and risk severe injury, turn back, or look for help. I was determined to get to the top of the mountain as I knew this might be my only shot; so, I decided to push through the pain until I could reach another hiker. A slow mile later I came across a man and woman backpacking through California. They were at the end of their trip, finishing their trek in Yosemite. We spoke and exchanged stories, and I asked for their input. The couple noticed my injuries and offered a specialized bandage that would allow more support than the dressing I had on. It was a humbling experience – an opportunity to reach the top. The fresh, specialized bandage allowed me to endure the pain without having to give up entirely. Though each step was agonizing during the steepest inclines, the hike was now doable. 

Whenever I wanted to give up, even with the new dressing in place, I looked up at the summit. I knew the view from the top would be incredible. Along the way I met more hikers, and was invited to join a group. I’ll never forget the pain of enduring those injuries for seventeen miles, but what’s more memorable are the views, friendships made along the trek, thrill of accomplishment, and lessons. Perhaps I would’ve turned back if I hadn’t met that generous couple, or maybe not. I’ll never know, but I’m glad I reached the summit with the help of complete strangers. That’s humbling. In the end, the struggle was worth the reward. 

(Feel free to check out my other photos below)