Erica Jane Flores
175 North Mount Tabor Road | Apartment # 91 | Lexington, KY | 40509
ericajane.flores@uky.edu | 805.350.1918
[EJF]
Full-Time Professional Experience
Academic Coordinator | Department of Agricultural Economics | University of Kentucky
8/2013 – Present
300 undergraduates and 40 masters and doctoral students, I lead efforts with our strategic industry partners,
sponsors and key stakeholders, manage and evaluate our comprehensive internship, research and education
abroad program, facilitate alumni engagement, and actively teaching 2-3 courses a semester. Courses taught
include International Food Marketing in France and Switzerland, Ag Marketing and Sales, and Career
Development in Agricultural Economics. University service has included Departmental Review Committee,
Cooper House Renovation Committee, and Education Abroad search committee. Currently serving as the
National Parliamentarian of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences,
Coordinator for Diversity & Inclusion | National FFA Organization
6/2010 – 8/2012
On behalf of a 540,000 membership national organization, led national engagement initiatives for
underrepresented communities, established partnerships including with US Department of Agriculture, US
Department of Education, and US Department of Interior, facilitated educational diversity trainings for National
Board of Directors and State Association Executive Directors, initiated national communication campaigns, and
engaged in advocacy at state and national levels.
Education Specialist | Collegiate Programs | National FFA Organization
8/2009 – 6/2010
Managed career development and leadership trainings, and provided membership support for collegiate FFA
chapters with universities across the country. Established national collegiate ambassador program with KRAFT
Foods to recruit a diverse pipeline for internships and career positions. Developed national outreach program
and public relations campaign FFA Beyond High School.
Program Coordinator | Cross-Cultural Leadership Center | California State University, Chico
9/2007 – 7/2009
Co-established university wide center that included a 3,000 square foot facility equipped with computer lab,
study hall, meeting space, student organization offices and student lounge. Developed training curriculum for
250 student organizations. Provided direct supervision of 16 para-professionals, 20 interns and 100 volunteers.
Responsible for funding proposals and program budget of 10 annual programs.
Professional Consulting Experience
National Motivational Speaker | National High School Partners | Herff-Jones
2012
Delivered 3 motivational speeches for 2,500 junior high and high school students as part of the Herff-Jones
National High School Program.
Leadership & Team Building Trainer | Ponchatoula High School | Louisiana
2012
Developed & implemented curriculum for 7-day leadership and team building training for high school elected
leaders. 20 students.
Keynote Speaker | iLead Conference | College of Business | California State University, Chico
Conference keynote speaker on living a life of passion and purpose to an audience of 200.
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Keynote Speaker | Spirit of a Woman Conference | California State University, Chico
2011
As an undergraduate student, I co-established the Spirit of a Woman Conference in 2007. In 2011 I was
contracted to speak on self-empowerment and living life with grace in the midst of adversity to an audience of
150 student and community women.
Trainer | Women of Latin America Non-Profit Leaders | The International Center | Indianapolis, IN
2011
Delivered leadership training for 20 women representing 13 Latin American countries who were Executive
Directors of various human services agencies, non-profits, and grass root organizations in their respective
country.
Keynote Speaker | Sacramento Leadership Experience (SLE)| California FFA Association
2011
Delivered a keynote address on “Civic engagement and Being a Voice for those We Serve” at the annual
capstone conference for top-tier 40 high school seniors at the state’s capitol.
Conference Facilitator | Mathematics, Science, Engineering Achievement
2008
As part of a 6-person team, delivered a weeklong leadership and interpersonal skills training for academic and
career success with 80 community college students pursing degrees in mathematics, sciences and
engineering.
Personal Coach & Trainer | State FFA Officer Candidate Training | California South Coast Region
2005-Present
Annually provide customized training and personal coaching in interviewing, public speaking, and writing skills
for 5 high potential high school seniors and college freshmen seeking election to California State FFA Office.
Graduate Fellowship & Assistantship Experience
Graduate Fellow | Office of the President | California Polytechnic State University
6/2013 – present
Special adviser to the University President including strategic planning for Science, Technology, Mathematics
and Engineering; Stewarding the establishment of a $1million partnership with the California Strawberry
Commission and wrote partnership proposal for approval from the university and California State University
Chancellor; Leading university-wide committee analysis and restructure; Engaged in overall research in higher
education administration and organization.
Graduate Teaching Assistant | Community & Leadership Development | University of Kentucky 8/2012 – 5/2013
Teaching Assistant responsibilities included assisted in course redesign, laboratory instructor for teacher
preparation, grading assignments, Coordinator for 43rd Annual University of Kentucky Field Day, Director of By
Choice, Not By Chance Fourth Annual Art Show. Courses included: Introduction to Agricultural Education,
Foundations of Career, Technical and Leadership Education, Advising Youth Organizations, and Educational
Lessons of the State FFA Experience.
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Para-Professional & Undergraduate Internship Experience
Board of Directors Internship | Girls Inc. | Indiana State Headquarters
2011
The Board of Directors internship was designed to develop potential leadership for board service to non-profits
in the greater Indianapolis area. Internship experience included attending board and committee meetings,
assisting in fundraising activities, and holding meetings with the board chair and organization CEO.
Teaching Assistant | Agricultural Business Department | California State University, Chico
2006 – 2007
Primary duties included grading papers while maintaining confidentiality.
Student Coordinator | JFR Leadership Programs | California State University, Chico
2005 – 2007
Responsible for program management of 3 leadership conferences and training for 75 volunteers.
Campus Bookstore Sales | Semester at Sea | Institute for Shipboard Education
2006
Designed and maintained store and window displays, provided exceptional customer service and
recommended purchasing of merchandise for a campus bookstore on the M/V Explorer ship and the 650
person Semester at Sea community. Hours worked were compensated as partial tuition.
Wine Club & Tasting Room Host | Kalyra Winery | Vina de Santa Ynez
seasonal employment since 2005
Top total monthly sales and wine membership sales. Sustained superior relationships with Wine Club members
and assisted in hosting regular wine club events. Maintained current knowledge of complete wine lists, and
vineyard and production practices for each wine. Summer weekends include over 500 customers.
Leadership Trainer | Made For Excellence Conferences | California FFA Association
2005
Trained with nationally developed and research based leadership curriculum targeting sophomore and junior
high school students. 1,300 students participated in 8 regionally based 2-day conference locations.
Intern | Leadership Programs | California Farm Bureau Federation
2004
Collaborated with county farm bureaus to develop a CD-ROM Resource Guide on Rural Crime Prevention.
Assisted in state-wide Leadership Farm Bureau trainings and Young Farmers and Ranchers activities.
State FFA Officer | California Department of Education
2003 – 2004
Assisted in raising $1 million for the “I Believe” Capital Campaign to build the California FFA Center in Galt, CA.
Worked with Governor Schwarzenegger and his staff to discuss the role of vocational education and future of
agriculture education. Taught leadership and agriculture lessons in 40 high schools, facilitated over 20
workshops, and over 35 speaking engagements, including final retiring address to an audience of 5,000.
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Select Professional Conferences, Symposiums and Seminars Attended
National Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources & Related Sciences (MANRRS) | Sacramento, CA
2013
National competitor in graduate poster research, graduate oral research (3rd place), impromptu public
speaking (1st place), and awarded National Chapter of the Year.
Southern Region Conference | American Association for Agricultural Educators | Orlando, FL
2013
Presented a poster and attended professional development workshop and research panels on best practices
in agricultural education.
National Multicultural Conference & Summit | Houston, TX
2013
Attended research poster sessions and research symposiums on emerging trends in diversity research in
educational psychology.
Aspiring Minority Doctoral Candidates Colloquium | West Virginia University
2013
Selected as one of the top 40 Aspiring Doctoral Candidates and attended an all-inclusive 3-day seminar
regarding successfully pursing a doctoral degree; Awarded a four-year fully-funded award to pursue a
Doctorate at West Virginia University.
National MANNRS Region II & III Cluster Meeting | Atlanta, GA
2012
Regional competitor in impromptu public speaking (1st place).
National Conference Planning Experience as Lead Conference Coordinator
SOMOS FFA “We Are FFA” Latino Celebration | National FFA Convention & Expo
2012
As part of a national engagement strategy in the Hispanic and Latino communities and held in conjunction of
the National FFA Convention Expo, a 5 day celebration brought together student, teacher and professional
thought leaders to explore emerging issues in the Latino community and celebrate achievements and
contributions to agriculture. Corporate funding was secured from STIHL, Inc. and Farm Credit.
Native Voices Advocacy Conference | National FFA Organization & U.S. Department of Agriculture
2011
In partnership with Janie Hipp, former Senior Tribal Adviser to Secretary Vilsack held a week long advocacy
conference in Washington, D.C. with 25 Native American FFA member, their parents and agriculture teachers
who represented multiple tribes and nations from California, Arizona, Wyoming, Oklahoma and North Carolina.
Funding secured from Farm-Credit and Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation.
Native American Heritage Celebration | National FFA Convention & Expo
2011
Through a partnership and corporate sponsorship with RFD-TV, students from Native American communities
were invited to the Native American Heritage Celebration which was held in conjunction of the National FFA
Convention & Expo. A 5-day celebration brought together student, teacher and professional thought leaders
to explore emerging issues in the Native American community and celebrate achievements and contributions
to agriculture.
New Farmers of America 75th Celebration | National FFA Convention & Expo
2010
A historical milestone and anniversary celebration honored former members of New Farmers of America (NFA),
and organization that existed in 18 southern states during the time of segregation. NFA existed for young
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African-American men in vocational agriculture. The anniversary celebration paid tribute to the rich and
difficult history while also teaching today’s students about the importance of inclusive excellence.
National Postsecondary Agricultural Student (PAS) Conference| St. Louis, MO
2010
Over 650 university and community college students of agriculture attended a four-day career development
national leadership conference. I managed contract negotiations, lodging arrangements, food and beverage
orders, session script writing, workshop content, promotional marketing and sponsor relations.
National Collegiate FFA Convention & Career Fair | National FFA Convention & Expo
2009
Within the first three months as a National FFA staff member I was charged with managing the National
Collegiate FFA Convention and Career Fair which includes universities from across the country.
Over 30
exhibitors and their respective Human Resources Departments actively recruited students for summer internships
and career employment.
Invited Speaking Highlights (excluding consulting)
Forum & Panel Facilitator | National Women’s Forum on Success (MANRRS)| Sacramento, CA
2013
With an audience of 500 professional, graduate and undergraduate women and panel of speakers from
Oregon State University, DuPont Pioneer, United State Department of Agriculture and Kansas State University.
Emcee & Facilitator | SOMOS FFA Leaders Luncheon | National FFA Convention | Indianapolis, IN
2012
150 thought leaders from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Virgin Island in attendance for a 3-day series of
programs including a leader’s luncheon which featured the highest ranking Latino at the USDA, Undersecretary
Edward Avalos.
Invited Speaker & Award Presenter | National MANRRS Conference | Atlanta, GA
2012
In collaboration with the National Association of Agricultural Education (NAAE), spoke on achievements in
diversity and the importance of recruiting minority agricultural teachers into the classroom to an audience of
800. I also presented two living legacy awards to minority teacher educators with over 30 years of service
combined.
Graduation Speaker | Leadership United | United Way of Central Indiana | Indianapolis, IN
2011
Selected as the graduation speaker for the graduation of an elite 9-month leadership training seminar in
Indianapolis. The audience of 300 included Indianapolis’ leading business executives, philanthropists, and civic
leaders.
Committee Service Experience Highlights
Kentucky Jr. MANRRS State Leadership Conference Planning Committee
2012 – Present
As a graduate member provided leadership in planning, executing and evaluating Kentucky’s inaugural
leadership conference for Jr. MANRRS.
Human Services Committee | United Way of Central Indiana (UWCI)
2010 - 2012
Nominated and appointed by the UWCI Chair of the Board for to serve on a standing committee of the board
charged with the evaluation of 103 Human Service Agencies in the greater Indianapolis area. Also responsible
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for the annual allocation of over $35 million to the various agencies based off of need and evaluation
outcomes.
Flanner House Elementary School Board
2011 - 2012
An Indianapolis based charter school serving underserved youth.
Agriculture Steering Committee | Indiana Humanities Council
2010 - 2012
A state-wide committee providing advisement in solving hunger through the Indiana Humanities Council.
Chicano/ Latino Faculty & Staff Council | CSU Chico
2007 - 2009
A professional and social network advocating for support in emerging concerns facing students, staff and
faculty of Chicano/Latino decent. Quarterly hosted networking activities for students.
California Young Farmers & Ranchers State Committee
2004 - 2006
A state-wide committee of leaders in agriculture between the ages of 18 – 35. I represented Santa Barbara
and Ventura counties and chaired the 2005 State Young Farmers & Ranchers Conference in Santa Maria, CA.
California State Executive FFA Committee
2001 – 2002 & 2003 - 2004
The State FFA Executive Committee provides leadership and oversight of the California FFA Association. I
represented the South Coast FFA Region as regional president and later proved state-wide representation as
the State FFA Secretary.
Community Service Experience Highlights
Team Leader | Children’s Ministry | Northside New Era Church
Team Leader for 25 adult volunteers, assisting in vetting and selecting curriculum, recruit ing and retaining
volunteers for Children’s Ministry which serves 300 students from pre-K to 6th grade each week.
Personal Shopper | Suits for Success Program| Dress for Success Indianapolis
Dress for Success is a national non-profit that promotes financial independence for socio-economically
disadvantaged women. As a personal shopper with the Suits for Success program I worked with clients seeking
employment and assisted them with a complete suit for a professional look for their job interviews. Once they
successfully obtained a job, clients returned for additional work appropriate attire.
Feed It Forward | Second Helpings
Second Helpings is an Indianapolis based non-profit organization with a mission to eliminate hunger by rescuing
perishable foods from wholesalers and turning it into 3,500 hot meals a day that are delivered to 70 agencies
around the city. Additionally, they provide a culinary training program for under-employed people. As a
volunteer, I have connected over 60 new supporters and donors to the organization, hosted comm unity
outreach events and lead a fundraising effort to purchase an additional delivery van.
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National Instructional Materials & Multi-Media Resources
SOMOS FFA National Recruitment Video & Banner Display| National FFA Organization
2012
Served as creative director and project manager for a national Latino recruitment video with footage from
Puerto Rico, Texas and California. Created an educational 7-banner display for recruitment. The video can be
viewed online, is available for download and was debuted to a live audience of 15,000. The video has also
been aired on RFD-TV worldwide.
Native America Heritage Celebration Replication Guide | National FFA Organization
2012
I authored a comprehensive replication guide for the Native American Heritage Celebration and Outreach
Programs. The replication guide was designed for State Executive directors, State FFA Officers and local
agricultural Instructors. Celebrations were replicated in North Carolina, Arizona, Oklahoma, California, New
Mexico, Washington D.C in the first six months.
National FFA Manual | National FFA Organization
2011
Contributing writer on revisions for the National FFA manual regarding historical milestones of diversity, and
revised chapter Chaplin duties to reflect greater inclusion.
National FFA Handbook DVD | National FFA Organization
2010
Contributing script-writer and featured interviewee on the status of women and minorities in the agricultural
industry and agricultural education.
New Farmers of America Educational Booth Display | National FFA Organization
2010
I was the lead project manager, creative director, and educational content writer for a 1,000 square foot
educational booth display on the history of New Farmers of America (1929-1965). The booth was featured at
the 2010 National FFA Convention & Expo during a 3-day show with 56,000 attendees and 450 exhibitors. The
display was later adapted into a mobile display where it has been featured at Kentucky, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Florida State FFA Conventions reaching an additional 20,000 students,
teachers and guests. An interactive educational scavenger hunt and 5 minute historical video adds to the
comprehensive learning experience.
Public Art Installments
“Faces of Change” Collection | Cross-Cultural Leadership Center
Present
The “Faces of Change” Collection includes large portrait paintings of Mahatma Gandhi, Anne Frank, Cesar
Chavez, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and President and First Lady Obama. The collection was purchased by the
Chico State University Foundation and is now displayed in the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center.
I coestablished the center while on staff at the university.
“Visions of Hope” | Glick Eye Institute | Indianapolis University – Purdue University, Indianapolis
Present
It was the intent of Philanthropist Marilyn and Eugene Glick to include a Public Art Project featuring Indiana
artists as part of their $20 million gift to establish an Education and Research Eye Institute. A chalk pastel portrait
of a Vietnamese Woman I drew during my voyage in South East Asia was selected and featured during the
2011building dedication ceremony and featured in the event program.
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“Faces of Change” Solo Art Exhibition| Santa Barbara Wellness Center
2009
Selected by the owner of the Wellness Center for a sponsored Solo Artist Exhibition and featured in Santa
Barbara’s First Friday Downtown Art Gallery Tour.
Diversity Art Show | California State University, Chico
2009
As part of the inaugural Diversity Art show I was highlighted as a featured artist in campus and community
publications.
Faculty & Staff Art Show | California State University, Chico
2008
A selection of paintings showcased in an annual art show tradition.
Professional, Honor & Philanthropic Organization Memberships
Gamma Sigma Delta | University of Kentucky
An international honor society and service organization of agriculture that recognizes the accomplishments of
students, faculty, and alumnus.
National Society of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS)
A national undergraduate, graduate and professional organization. Currently holding graduate membership
status, and previously held professional membership.
Sigma Alpha Sorority
A national professional sorority for women in agriculture.
P.E.O. International | Philanthropic Organization Supporting Women in Education
An international philanthropic organization devoted to advancing women with educational opportunities
around the world.
Lifetime Member | National FFA Alumni Association
A national association committed to serving as supporters and advocates of agricultural education and FFA.
CSU Chico Leaders Society
Annually 12 outstanding student leaders are nominated to be inducted into this leadership honor society.
Leadership Ignited| United Way of Central Indiana
A professional alumni network of community leaders who graduated from a 9-month leadership training series
conducted by and for United Way of Central Indiana. Class of 2011 of the Diversity and Leadership Training
Series.
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Education
University of Kentucky
Fall 2012 – (expected completion August 2015)
Masters o f Science in Career, Technical and Leadership Education – Department of Community and
Leadership Development; 18 semester credit hours also completed for Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) & College
Teaching Certificate
California State University, Chico
Fall 2004 – Graduated Spring 2007
Bachelor of Science completed in Agricultural Business
Semester at Sea – University of Virginia
Summer 2006
On a “floating university” a 75-day voyage in South East Asia and the Pacific Rim; Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam,
Malaysia, South Korea, Hong Kong/China, Japan; Coursework included 9 semester credit hours in Politics of
South East Asia, Global Ecology, and Global Studies
California Polytechnic State University
Fall 2002 – Spring 2003
Agricultural Education – 36 quarter credit hours completed
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