Featured Member: Desiree Cocroft on HBCU CONNECT!

Connect with Desiree

• Email Me or Poke Me
• Interview Me
• Send Group Invite
• Add To Favorites
• Block This Member
• Send Friend Request

Uploads

Upload Content | Show More

Connections

more-->

Recent Visitors

more-->

More Members

more-->

Q&A With Desiree Cocroft

(interview me)

Desiree Cocroft
Program Manager, Make A Difference-Wisconsin
Location: Milwaukee, WI United States
Joined: Nov 25th, 2007

About (request update)

Desiree Cocroft is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Upon graduating from college with two degrees in Business Administration (BA /MBA) from Hampton University in 2002 and 2003, respectively, she returned to Milwaukee to begin her career in the nonprofit sector. She found her niche to be in direct services with youth, as well as developing youth workers in leadership and curriculum facilitation.
While also pursuing her career in youth-serving organizations, Desiree partnered with two friends to launch a dance company, Signature Dance Company, in 2004. Signature Dance Company is a Christian company that serves young ladies in the city of Milwaukee by exposing students to dance technique, other performing arts, and contains a mentorship component. Inspired by the Signature Dance Company�s creation, Desiree went back to school to receive her second BA in Dance at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee in 2008. Since then, Desiree has not only been a company director for Signature Dance Company, but has continued to serve other nonprofit organizations such as PEARLS for Teen Girls, Inc. , Concordia University, Mount Mary College, and is currently working with Make A Difference-Wisconsin as a program manager. Make A Difference � Wisconsin delivers a basic financial education in high school classrooms throughout the Metro Milwaukee and surrounding areas with the help of volunteers in the business community.
Additionally, Desiree provides services to high schools, colleges, and other youth/young adult serving organizations through her consulting business, Destination Life, Inc. Desiree is committed to guiding youth and young adults through life�s journey through not only motivating youth directly, but by also training those that work with young people.
In her spare time, Desiree enjoys spending time with family and friends, dancing, and traveling. One thing that Desiree almost loves as much as working with youth is food. Her dream retirement job would be to become a restaurant critic, as long as she could maintain working out!

Education (request update)

Hampton University class of 2002

Undergrad Major: Business Administration

Claim To Fame:

Two television appearances on the Real Milwaukee show, a morning show on the local Fox 6 station in Milwaukee, WI, promoting Signature Dance Company in January 2013 and Make A Difference- Wisconsin in July 2013. Keynote Speaker at Milwaukee Public School Synergy Conference in May 2013. Spoke to 250 high school students about the importance of having a plan and networking. As a previous recipient of Youth Care Worker of the Year in 2007,Desiree let a workshop on "Asking the Right Questions" to youth workers at the Wisconsin Association of Youth and Child Care Professionals in May 2013.

Experience

I currently work with Make A Difference-Wisconsin as Program Manager
I have years of experience working in the Teaching / K-12 Education industry.

Program Manager | Make A Difference â Wisconsin
From August 2012 to Current • 14 year(s)
Facilitate volunteer trainings and lead presentations for recruitment and educator meetings.

Academic Support/Adjunct Instructor | Concordia University
From March 2011 to Current • 15 year(s)
Created Student Ambassador and Mentorship Program, advised 40+ students in academic and career development.

Promise Program Advisor | Mount Mary College
From December 2010 to Current • 16 year(s)
Created and facilitated workshops on resumes and internships, provided one-on-one career advising for students.

Founder/Company Director | Signature Dance Company
From January 2004 to Current • 22 year(s)
Founded and direct dance company, recruit and train staff for events and camps.

Educator | Center for Self-Sufficiency
From February 2011 to June 2011 • 0 year(s)
Taught teen pregnancy prevention in high school.

Program Associate/Ambassador | The New Teacher Project
From June 2009 to June 2011 • 2 year(s)
Cultivated relationships with 50-120 teacher candidates, exceeded application completion goals, conducted resume screening and interviews.

Tutor | UW-Milwaukee Gear-Up
From October 2008 to May 2009 • 1 year(s)
Instructed college essay writing through local tutoring program.

Program Coordinator | Pearls for Teen Girls
From September 2005 to August 2008 • 3 year(s)
Facilitated curriculums for 75-100 middle and high school girls, coordinated job placement and college tours, managed $20,000 budget.

Second Grade Teacher | Christian Faith Academy of Higher Learning
From August 2004 to August 2005 • 1 year(s)
Taught second grade curriculum at private school.

Second Grade Teacher | Parklawn Christian School
From January 2004 to June 2004 • 0 year(s)
Taught second grade curriculum at private school.

Site Director | Holton Youth Center â YMCA
From May 2003 to August 2003 • 0 year(s)
Created and facilitated initial staff training and ongoing staff development training for summer staff.

My Groups

Invite Me To A Group

Guestbook Comments

	Hello Ms. Cocroft! Thank you for your participation in our upcoming Alumni magazine. Have a successful day. Elynor Tagged by Legasaurus Sister on 09/05/2013

more-->