Gaylen J.

Rivers
Griv20@gmail.com • Elmhurst, IL • ( 708) 285-3394
Education
Northern Illinois University. Dekalb IL
Master of Science in Education in Higher Education and Student Affairs May 2021

Illinois State University, Normal IL

Bachelor of Science, History/Social Sciences Education Major ` December 2018
Minor: African American Studies
Endorsement Areas on a Professional Educator License
History (World & American)- AP & Honors
Political Science Geography Economics
Sociology Psychology Anthropology
Academic Honors: Deans List Fall, 2017

Higher Education Experience

Northern Illinois University, Center for Black Studies | Dekalb, IL July 2019- May 2021
Graduate Research Assistant for Co-Curricular and Academic Programing
• Responsible for creating, implementing, and managing inclusion programs, workshops, and resources to enhance student
leadership, personal and professional development.
• Served as the departments lead at campus-wide meetings and committees.
• Responsible for leading the transition all resources and programs to a virtual format during the pandemic.
• Manages the assessment for a range of programs and services and determining the impact on student retention and success.
• Represented department at events on-campus, meetings, and committees.
• Planned and collaborated with a variety of departments and student organizations on programs to enhance student
leadership, personal, and professional development.
• Assisted in the advisement of student organization and Center for Black Studies programs (Black Male Initiative and the John
Henrik Clarke Honor Society)
• Researched and provided support for co-curricular programs, academic programs, and the Black studies minor.
Northern Illinois University, Fraternity and Sorority Life | Dekalb, IL August 2020- May 2021
Intern
• Created a curriculum for the monthly President’s meeting.
• Lead the creation of accreditation plan/standards.
• Worked in collaboration with Sorority and Fraternity Undergraduate members
Winthrop University, Office of New Student and Family Programs| Rock Hill, SC May 2020- August 2020
NODA Graduate Intern for Families
• Created and assessed a virtual family orientation program, utilizing multiple online platforms.
• Planned and collaborated with a variety of departments and university stakeholders.
• Assessed and assisted in the benchmarking of previous New Student and Family Programs
• Interacted with over twenty undergraduate students to successfully execute virtual orientation programing.
Professional Organizations/Development and Awards
• 2021 Northern Illinois University Presidential Commission on the Status of Women’s Outstanding Women & Gender
Advocacy Student Award Recipient
• 2021 Northern Illinois University Graduate School, Outstanding Graduate Student Award Recipient
• Member, NODA- Association for Orientation, Transition, and Retention in Higher Education
• Member, Student Affairs 101 Conference Planning Committee, Northern Illinois University
• Member, Center for Black Studies Director Search Committee, Northern Illinois University
• Member, Cultural Sisterhood Summit Student Committee, Northern Illinois University
• Member, Student Advisory Board, Northern Illinois University
• Facilitator, Conversations on Diversity & Equity (CODE)
• Member, Student Advisory Board, Partnership for College Completion
• Member, Learning Management System Advisory Committee
• Member and Secretary, Chi Sigma Alpha Honor Society
 Gaylen J. Rivers
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Student Organizations and Involvement

• Illinois State University, Normal IL Fall 2014- Fall 2019
o Black Greek Leadership Council 2017-2018
▪ Chapter President of the Year
o The Womanist Ideal of Performance Fall 2017- May 2018
▪ Treasurer
o Colors International August 2016- May 2018
▪ Secretary
o University Program Board August 2016- May 2018
▪ Late Night Committee
o Leadershape May 2016
o S.A.S.S.I. August 2015- May 2018
▪ President
▪ Community Service Chair
o Conduct and Conflict Resolution Fall 2014-May 2018
▪ Member, University Hearing Panel
o Emerging Leaders Program August 2014-April 2015
Sorority Involvement
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated March 2015- Present
o Zeta Organizational Leadership Certified Summer 2017
o Great Lakes Regional Undergraduate Member-At-Large April 2017- April 2019
o Illinois State Undergraduate Member-At-Large September 2016-September 2018
o Member, National Membership Committee July 2018-Present
▪ Retention Sub-Committee
▪ Recruitment Sub-Committee
o Zeta Chapter December 2018- Present
▪ Secretary
▪ Member, Zeta-Sigma Relations Committee
▪ Member, Scholarship Committee
▪ Member, Domestic Violence Prevention Committee
▪ Member, Youth Advisory Committee
o Lambda Epsilon Chapter March 2015- December 2018
▪ President
▪ Vice President
▪ New Membership Coordinator
▪ Secretary
▪ Treasurer

Teaching Experience
Proviso Township High Schools District 209 | Forest Park, IL
Substitute Teacher January 2019- June 2019
• Was responsible for managing a classroom in the absence of the teacher.
• Worked in multiple subject areas with diverse students of various grade levels and abilities.
• Planned lessons/units, graded papers, and worked with the respective academic departments in the absence of the teacher.
Downers Grove North High School | Downers Grove, IL
Student Teacher August 2018- December 2018
• Was responsible for planning lessons/units, grading papers, participating in Professional Learning Communities and other
professional development opportunities.
• Taught United States History to 10th graders and assisted with Law classes (11th and 12th grade students).

Work Experience
Bath and Body Works | Lombard, IL
Sales Associate May 2018- January 2019
 Gaylen J. Rivers
•••
• Complete store opening and closing procedures.
• Contribute to increased customer sales through extensive product knowledge.
• Provide quality customer service to patrons.
Discover Financial Services | Riverwoods, IL.
Corporate Compliance/Risk Management Intern Summer 2017
• Worked with multiple departments and was responsible for research, documentation, and creation of a webpage.
• Presented on different research initiatives and assisted with interdepartmental communication.
Maywood Park District| Maywood, IL
Summer Camp Counselor Summer 2014-2016
• Worked with and was responsible for children and created educational and fun activities for them.
• Assisted at different events held at the venue by helping to organize them.
Maywood Fine Arts | Maywood, IL
Assistant Dance Teacher June 2009 – August 2014
• Assisted teachers during classes, performed, taught, or assisted at community events and represented the organization at
community events.
• Managed the front desk and waiting room.
• Assisted and performed at annual shows.

Volunteer Experience
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. March 2015-Present
• Imani Step Team August 2018- Present
o Act as an Assistant Coach, helping with organization, team building, and choreography.
• Partners in Reading, Normal Public Library Fall 2016- Spring 2018
o Read weekly with a child from the community.
• Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal, Bloomington IL September 2016- December 2016
o Tutor
• Maywood Fine Arts, Maywood IL August 2014- Present
o Office aide, back-stage assistant
• Neighborhood United Methodist Church, Maywood IL June 2010- Present
o Help rebuild a disaster area, Feed My Starving Children, church community efforts.