Program Coordinator

Denise Rawles-Smith, M.A., is the Program Coordinator of the Norwalk Community College (NCC) College Access and Success Program. In this role she manages program components, staff and support services and activities for students transitioning from high school to college who face barriers to academic success.  Her work began at NCC as the Coordinator, Workforce Readiness & Career Education working with the high school college pathway program. 

 

Denise retired from Pitney Bowes Inc. after completing over 29 years of service.  She began her career after graduating from college working for Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now (N.E.O.N) as the CETA Work Experience Program Coordinator and the Court Liaison Counselor for their Pre-Trial Intervention Program.  She went on to work at Pitney Bowes in their Financial Services Division and held various positions, including Customer Service Representative/Trainer, Supervisor, Customer Contracts, Senior Employee Relations and Benefits Representative,  Community Relations Manager, and Manager of Diversity.  

 

In the role as Supervisor, Customer Contracts, Denise was responsible for hiring, training and supervising staff of 12, all of whom were recent high school graduates. Through annual performance reviews and providing mentoring and career coaching, she prepared over 40 employees for promotional opportunities within the organization. This factor helped to greatly strengthen the affirmative action hiring efforts of the organization. Many of these employees went on to obtain college degrees and were promoted into managerial positions.

 

As Manager of Community Relations, Denise served as the company liaison for the Norwalk and Shelton Board of Education school based mentoring programs where she developed criteria for identifying and selecting program participants addressed and resolved issues/concerns and evaluated program results on a periodic basis. As Manager of Diversity, she was responsible for managing internal and external diversity events and assisting with the development and implementation of the business unit strategic plans.  

 

Denise’s leadership also extends into the community.  She is a member of the Carver Foundation Youth Development Program (YDP) Alumni Committee, member of the Bethel A.M.E. Church Philippian’s Ministry, Women’s Day Committee and Member/Former Chairperson of the Commission for Social Action.  She was a member of the National Black MBA Westchester/Greater CT. Chapter where she served on the Scholarship Committee, and as a Mentor for the Leaders of Tomorrow Program which serves minority high school students.  She previously served on the following Board of Directors: George Washington Carver, Community House, Valley Junior Achievement, Valley United Way and Elder House Adult Day Center.  She also served as a member of the Norwalk Police Activities League (PAL) committee, Co-Chair for the Valley Corporate Volunteer Council, Member of the Business Advisory Council for the Birmingham Group Health Services, Bethel A.M.E. Church BJ London Scholarship committee, Corporator for the Valley Boys and Girls Club, served as a Mentor for both Norwalk and Shelton Public Schools and participated in the Pitney Bowes Stamford Elementary School Literacy Program. 

 

Awards and recognition include the Norwalk Community College Student Government Dedication Award, Special Olympics Connecticut President’s Award, National Society of Hispanic MBA CT Chapter’s Corporate Individual Award, National Black MBA WGC Mentor Recognition, Pitney Bowes Walter Wheeler Award which was the companies highest employee award, Pitney Bowes Prism Award, Demonstrating Leadership in Diversity Achievement, Pitney Bowes Financial Services President’s Club Award, George Washington Carver Youth Development Program Alumni of the Year Award and the National Black Achievers Industry Award given by the Harlem YMCA.

 

Denise received a Bachelor of Arts in education from Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia and a Masters of Science in Business Management from Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, CT.