Executive Director - Independent Professional Consultant and Transformational Growth Strategist

• Dec 2019 - Present

Independent Certified Coach, Speaker, Teacher

• Aug 2018 - Present

Dean of Career, Technical & Continuing Education

• 2018 - 2019

I led and administered all aspects of supervision, assistance, and oversight for various Career Technical Education (CTE) instruction, continuing and non-credit education, and workforce development programs at Citrus College, including the design, delivery, staffing, administrative support, supervision, and evaluation of programs. In collaboration with regional workforce development leaders in Los Angeles County, I oversaw and evaluated a variety of State Chancellor's Office "Strong Workforce" initiatives worth over $773,000 annually. Direct benefits to the college and our students included the establishment of programs in Construction Management, Stationary Power Generation Maintenance and Repair, and an Alternative Energy Automotive Technician program. Additionally, my team was accountable for the annual implementation and evaluation of the college's approximately $490,000 Federal Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act grant program. As an advisory board member to the Center for a Competitive Workforce, a part of the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation, I helped develop the report entitled "LA Area Community Colleges at a Crossroads: A Market Assessment and Call to Action," in partnership with McKinsey & Co. (https://competitiveworkforce.la/crossroads/) Show less

Dean of Business, Engineering & Technology

• 2015 - 2018

In 2015, I was recruited to assist PCC's new leadership with developing and implementing critical, measurable responses to several WASC/ACCJC accreditation recommendations involving Career and Technical Education. Subsequently, ACCJC upgraded the College's status from "Probation" to "Full Accreditation". I was also responsible for the management of the School of Business, Engineering, and Technology including: strategic planning, program review, meeting accreditation standards, budgeting (approx. $9 million in general funds), scheduling, curriculum, serving on district and college governance committees, staff and faculty evaluations, hiring of faculty, community partnerships, planning for facilities needs, and ensuring compliance with all applicable state and federal law. In addition, I supported and represented PCC's Career Technical Education (CTE) programs through collaboration with the LA/OC Regional Consortia, the LA Ring Colleges SB 1070 Consortium, local workforce investment boards, and business and industry advisory partners. I led PCC's $1.4 million Strong Workforce Program Investment Initiatives, oversaw the college's Carl Perkins/CTEA grant strategies, and was project director for a $500,000 Title V Co-op Grant, "Building a Design Technology Pathway through The Road Less Traveled to Increase Hispanic and High-need Student Access and Completion." Finally, I led the initial vision-casting and planning that eventually developed into the PCC/Freeman Center for Career and Completion. Show less

Consultant, Strategist, and Board Member

• 2013 - 2016

• Strategic partner for higher education, economic and workforce development, and strategic planning initiatives including: Kaplan University School of Business and Information Technology; Career Technical Education Orange County (CTEoc); California Economic Summit (Advanced Manufacturing and Workforce Development Action Teams); and St. Timothy Roman Catholic Parish (Pastoral Planning Leader). • Higher Education Advisor: Almost2, an educational technology software house headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. http://www.almost2.com • Advisor and Associate: Strategic Online Education Solutions, offering colleges professional development training and start-up kits to establish best operational standards and services in online education. http://www.soesconsulting.org • Participant and advocate for Career Technical Education at the local and regional level: VitalLink Professional Learning Communities and Regional Advisory Boards; Los Angeles/Orange County Regional Consortium. • In view of his broad relationships in workforce and economic development, Dr. Cifone was nominated to be the Vice-Chair of the LA/OC Regional Consortium in 2013; and was invited by Rio Hondo College in 2015 to apply with them as key talent for the CCCCO Technical Assistance Provider Grant for Statewide SB 1070 Career Pathways Consortia. Show less

Dean, Business Science and Economic & Workforce Development

• 2010 - 2014

As Dean of Business Science and Economic & Workforce Development at Saddleback College, I led the college’s Economic and Workforce Development strategies, and Career Technical Education (CTE) support for programs college-wide through grants and other categorical funding. I was also responsible for the instructional administration of the Departments of Business, Accounting, Computer Information Management, and Real Estate. Finally, our Division managed and coordinated the college’s Cooperative Work Experience program, connecting students from across the college to internship opportunities that lead to meaningful career placement while they earn college credit. Under my leadership, the Division was awarded two major Entrepreneurship Education grants through the California Community College Chancellor’s office. A major Carl Perkins project, “M3 : ‘Magine It! Make It! Market It!”, funded a demonstration desktop rapid digital manufacturing laboratory, focusing on inexpensive but innovative design and manufacturing techniques. Course sequences include entrepreneurship and marketing stackable with the advanced manufacturing technician certificate. I managed almost $5 million in categorical and general funds. Show less

Dean of Instruction and Student Services

• Jul 2009 - Oct 2010

I served as the South Orange County Community College District’s Dean of Instruction and Student Services at the Advanced Technology and Education Park (ATEP) in Tustin, CA, a new campus dedicated to career technical education and workforce development. As Campus Dean, I was instrumental in helping ATEP meet and exceed significant enrollment, budget, and program development milestones, enabling the District to justify future expansion on the property conveyed from the U.S. Navy. I also managed the daily operations of instruction and student support services, as well as classrooms, instructional laboratories, and the planning of new facilities. Show less

Dean of Fine Arts, Physical Education and Athletics

• 2001 - 2009

2001-2005: Dean of Fine Arts, Physical Education and Athletics 2005-2009: Dean of Fine Arts I began my long affiliation with the South Orange County Community College District at Saddleback College in July 2001, as Dean of Fine Arts, Physical Education and Athletics. I was honored to be chosen as Associated Student Government's Dean of the Year for contributions to student success for 2008-2009. I successfully managed an approximately $8-10 million budget that funded a broad variety of academic, co-curricular, and activity-based programs. Additionally, I was responsible for the management, maintenance, and renovation of many performance venues, studios, athletic facilities, classrooms, and laboratories encompassing the majority of the campus. Show less

Professor and Chairperson

• 1993 - 2001

South Campus -- Boca Raton, FL Professor of Speech and Organizational Communication; Chairperson of Consolidated Departments of Communication, Humanities, Business, and Recreation. South Campus -- Boca Raton, FL Professor of Speech and Organizational Communication; Chairperson of Consolidated Departments of Communication, Humanities, Business, and Recreation.

Professor and Department Head

• 1992 - 1993

South Campus -- Pembroke Pines, FL Department of Communications, Humanities, and Modern Languages. South Campus -- Pembroke Pines, FL Department of Communications, Humanities, and Modern Languages.

Director of Speech Communication and Forensics

• 1990 - 1992

College of Arts and Sciences College of Arts and Sciences

Assistant Director of Forensics

• 1987 - 1990