Summary
Education
Skills
Work History
Accomplishments
Work Availability
Certification
Quote
Hobbies & Interests
References
Note:
Overview
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Derek O’Connell

Derek O’Connell

Director
Calgary,Alberta

Summary

For the past 25 years, I have worked aboard in the field of education in the Republic of Korea and the Sultanate of Oman. Since 2008, I have served at the University of Nizwa in multiple directorships related to academic support aimed at helping students achieve academic success. I firmly believe in leading by example, with the importance of an excellent work ethic and commitment to loyalty to the institution/company that I serve and the team of colleagues I interact with within the workplace. My even-keel demeanor allows me to make sound decisions while excelling under pressure and the ability to quickly adapt to new situations and overcome challenges. As I move forward with my career with the intent to return home to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, I wish to apply my transferable experiences and skills to a reputable organization, company, or institution that can provide meaningful employment that will be both challenging and provide the opportunity to contribute to their overall success, as well serve the needs and interests of the greater community.

Education

Master of Science - Education

Walden University
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
12.2013

Cambridge ESOL Level 5* CELTA Certification - Teaching English To Speakers of Other Languages

University of Cambridge
08.2010

Bachelor of Arts - Combined Degree - History & Law

Carleton University
Ottawa, Ontario
06.1997

Skills

  • Planning and Coordination
  • Team Building
  • Team Leadership
  • Critical Thinking
  • Training & Development
  • Supervision & Leadership
  • Strategic & Operational Planning
  • Hiring and Retention
  • Creativity and Innovation
  • Attention to Details
  • First Aid/CPR
  • Organizational Skills
  • Problem Resolution
  • Detail-Oriented
  • Excellent Communicator
  • Adept Multitasker
  • Strong Report/Proposal Writer
  • Analytical Problem Solver
  • Computer Proficient
  • Proficient in Creating & Providing Presentations
  • Office systems management
  • Board of directors support
  • Knowledge of quality systems

Work History

Director of the Student Success System -

University of Nizwa
Birkat Al Mouz, Nizwa, Ad Dakhilyah
09.2019 - 08.2023
  • Established the first Writing Center in the Sultanate of Oman, which has evolved into a world-class facility based on international and American standards and has become the most prominent academic support facility within the Middle East and North Africa
  • Responsible for the composition and implementation of strategic and operational planning for four academic support units - TWC, LEC, ISTL, ANJIZ
  • Responsible for managing operations, designing and promoting academic support programs and services, and annual reporting of the Writing Center, Learning Enhancement Center, Anjiz Resource Lab, and the Institutional Standardized Testing Lab
  • Established academic programs, services, schedules, curricula, policies, and procedures and implemented modifications based on the ADRI cycle, SWOT analysis of operations, outcomes based on performance, and benchmarking related to local, regional, and international institutions
  • Directed, coordinated, and evaluated employee performance and provided professional development and training opportunities for 60 administrative, instructional, and peer mentoring staff that served academic support units, labs, and centers
  • Upheld a commitment to educational excellence and integrity by promoting and establishing an atmosphere of mutual respect, trust, and diligence between students, faculty, and tertiary institutions
  • Enhanced educational and administrative operations by realigning procedures with changing trends in education, in particular, a comprehensive response to the impact of COVID-19
  • Created, revised, and implemented strategies and procedures for analyzing operating practices, streamlining data and documentation processes, record keeping, controlling budgets, and modernizing administrative and instructional operations by integrating technology to enhance learning support initiatives
  • Coordinated with governmental organizations and foreign academic institutions the successful implementation of scholarship programs for Omani students and faculty to study abroad in the USA, Canada, South Korea, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Germany, and France
  • Planned and executed special events across campus for students, faculty, and the community to promote academic support programs.

Subsequent Directorships -

University of Nizwa (UoN in Oman)

Director of Learning Enhancement Center -

University of Nizwa
Birkat Al Mouz, Nizwa, Ad Dakhilyah
09.2016 - 08.2023

Director of the Writing Center -

University of Nizwa
Birkat Al Mouz, Nizwa, Ad Dakhilyah
10.2008 - 08.2023

Assistant Director of ESP -

University of Nizwa
Birkat Al Mouz, Nizwa, Ad Dakhilyah
01.2007 - 09.2008

Coordinator, Intensive English Language Program -

University of Nizwa
Birkat Al Mouz, Nizwa, Ad Dakhilyah
10.2006 - 01.2007
  • Taught academic courses and developed curriculum and learning materials to increase reading comprehension, writing proficiency, and oral communication skills for new cohorts of students in the College of Arts & Sciences, English Department
  • Developed and improved curricula, course formats, and lesson presentations for diverse lesson themes and culturally relevant topics
  • Evaluated course instructors’ performance to determine areas in need of improvement
  • Collaborated successfully with a diverse group of coworkers to accomplish the institution’s vision, mission, and learning objectives to enhance the student learning experience
  • Responsible for hiring staff, negotiating contracts, and organizing logistics and relocation of new staff to the Sultanate of Oman.

English Language Lecturer -

University of Nizwa
Birkat Al Mouz, Nizwa, Ad Dakhilyah
09.2005 - 09.2007
  • Taught academic courses for multiple colleges related to English, Communications, Academic Writing, Technical Writing for Business, TESOL, TOEFL, and IELTS
  • Reviewed student work and provided constructive feedback for continuous improvement
  • Created and adapted teaching strategies and lesson plans to accommodate different learning styles, skills, cultural enrichment, and inclusivity
  • Attended and presented at professional development training conferences to improve knowledge and skills
  • Customized innovative methods and materials to produce engaging learning experiences conducive to learners' needs, provided constructive language instruction, and embraced authentic writing assignments and presentation projects
  • Organized and directed special weekend field trips and study abroad opportunities for foreign language students.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher -

Hansung University
Seoul, Samsun-Dong 2-Ga
09.2002 - 09.2005
  • Taught grammar, writing, listening, and reading to students at beginner, intermediate, and advanced proficiency levels
  • Tested, evaluated, and counseled students regarding academic performance and goals
  • Created opportunities for adult students to actively engage with one another in small and large group interactive learning sessions through a student-centered pedagogical approach
  • Built mentoring relationships with diverse cultural, social, and economic students
  • Implemented technology across the curriculum to improve student engagement and academic performance
  • Taught lessons encompassing a range of skill-building activities for speaking, writing, reading, and listening
  • Employed kinesthetic, visual, and auditory approaches to enrich lessons and improve student interaction by applying the language authentic and natural manner
  • Encouraged student critical thinking and discussion using a variety of teaching techniques.

Subsequent Teaching Positions -

South Korea

English as a Second Language Instructor -

Konkuk University
Seoul
09.2001 - 09.2002

English Language Instructor -

Kangnam University
Yongin, Shingal
09.1999 - 09.2001

English Language Instructor -

English 2020/Yoon's English Academy
Seoul
09.1998 - 09.1999

Accomplishments

  • Accredited for establishing the first writing center in the Sultanate of Oman
  • Provided a significant contribution to the UoN as the first University within Oman to achieve full and complete academic accreditation in 2023.
  • Served as Vice-President of the Middle East North African Writing Center Alliance (MENAWCA) from 2012-2013
  • Received commendation from the Oman Authority for Academic Accreditation (OAAA) in 2011
  • Received commendation from the International Writing Center Alliance (IWCA) for establishing a world-class writing center by Middle East, United States, and global standards.
  • Served as the convener from 2009 to 2023 for the Academic Support Services Board
  • Presided as a Member of the Board of Directors for the Canadian Studies Program at Hansung University.
  • Exceeded 250,000 student academic support appointments since 2009.

Work Availability

monday
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morning
afternoon
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Certification

  • Red Cross: Standard First Aid with CPR C and AED June 2023. Rivercrest Dr. SE, Calgary, AB T2C 2X5, Canada
  • Valid Alberta Driver’s License

Quote

I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.
Thomas Jefferson

Hobbies & Interests

  • Family, Fatherhood, and living life to its fullest…

References

Prof. Dr. Hussein Al Abdulqader

Dean, College of Engineering and Architecture

University of Nizwa

P.O. 33, P.C. 616, Birkat Al Mouz, Nizwa

Sultanate of Oman

Mobile: 00-968-98155765

Office: 00-968-25446274

Email: h.alabdulqader@unizwa.edu.om

 

Mr. Erno Muzamel

ISTL Coordinator, TWC Instructor

University of Nizwa

P.O. 33, P.C. 616, Birkat Al Mouz, Nizwa

Sultanate of Oman

Mobile: 00-968-91346631

Office: 00-968-25446532

Email: erno@unizwa.edu.om

 

Prof. Mohamed Ismail

Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic Services

University of Nizwa

P.O. 33, P.C. 616, Birkat Al Mouz, Nizwa

Sultanate of Oman

Office: 00-968-25446216

Email: ismail@unizwa.edu.om

 

Ms. Qataralnada Al Mantheri

A/Director of TWC

University of Nizwa

P.O. 33, P.C. 616, Birkat Al Mouz, Nizwa

Sultanate of Oman

Mobile: 00-968-95666599

Office: 00-968-25446846

Email: qatar@unizwa.edu.om

 

Ms. Badriya Al Tobi

Learning Enhancement Coordinator

University of Nizwa

P.O. 33, P.C. 616, Birkat Al Mouz, Nizwa

Sultanate of Oman

Office: 00-968-25446564

Email: b.altobi@unizwa.edu.om

Note:

Official Formal Letters of Recommendations, Degrees, Certificates, and Transcripts are available upon request.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate

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