University of Iowa
Assistant Director, COMMUNICATIONS & RELATIONS
August 2024 - Present
Supervised two full-time employees and one part-time student employee
Created data tracking systems for events and lecture series and expanded initiatives to identify trends and provide recommendations for future strategic partnership opportunities and relationship development between affinity groups and other units, departments, orgs, and colleges at the university
Identified, developed, and managed a standard, long-term event planning timeline for multiple, annual events and lecture series supported by IP, including outreach to IP leadership and campus partners for feedback on speaker selection and event communication and marketing strategy
Managed event budgets totaling over $130,000, including major event budgets up to $66,000
Project manager for the creation of the annual report for the Stanley-University of Iowa Foundation Support Organization (SUIFSO), including coordination with campus partners for content, logistics, and guest speakers at the SUIFSO board meeting
Executed communication/promotion strategies for events hosted by IP affinity groups to increase attendance by both UI and external constituents
Managed department donor stewardship initiatives, including outreach activities to established donors and the ongoing management of the donor stewardship process
Planned and organized over 50 events annually, including single-day webinars, lectures, and donor stewardship receptions; as well as multi-day conferences and symposia
Coordinated visits from international and national delegations including airfare, ground transportation, hotel accommodations, room reservations, and meeting itinerary logistics with UI faculty & staff
Assistant Director, Events and Stewardship
December 2023 - July 2024
Provided functional supervision for one full-time merit employee and one part-time student employee
Created data tracking systems for events and lecture series and expanded initiatives to identify trends and provide recommendations for future strategic partnership opportunities and relationship development between affinity groups and other units, departments, orgs, and colleges at the university
Identified, developed, and managed a standard, long-term event planning timeline for multiple, annual events and lecture series supported by IP, including outreach to IP leadership and campus partners for feedback on speaker selection and event communication and marketing strategy
Managed event budgets totaling over $130,000, including major event budgets up to $66,000
Project manager for the creation of the annual report for the Stanley-University of Iowa Foundation Support Organization (SUIFSO), including coordination with campus partners for content, logistics, and guest speakers at the SUIFSO board meeting
Executed communication/promotion strategies for events hosted by IP affinity groups to increase attendance by both UI and external constituents
Managed department donor stewardship initiatives, including outreach activities to established donors and the ongoing management of the donor stewardship process
Planned and organized over 50 events annually, including single-day webinars, lectures, and donor stewardship receptions; as well as multi-day conferences and symposia
Coordinated visits from international and national delegations including airfare, ground transportation, hotel accommodations, room reservations, and meeting itinerary logistics with UI faculty & staff
Event & Communication Project Specialist
February 2022 - November 2023
Coordinated visits from international and national delegations including airfare, ground transportation, hotel accommodations, room reservations, and meeting itinerary logistics with UI faculty & staff
Utilized U.S. Department of State guidance to draft and issue letters of invitations to invited international guests to obtain visas to enter the United States
Planned and organized over 50 events annually, including single-day webinars, lectures, as well as multi-day conferences and symposia
Proposed and implemented a strategy for IP lecture series speaker selections that involves IP leadership and campus partners
Oversaw event operations for affinity groups, including venue selection, food/supply ordering, set-up/clean-up arrangements, hotel/travel reservations, budget tracking, technology support, and day-of operations support
Managed event budgets totaling over $120,000 annually, including major event budgets up to $66,000
Created contingency plans for events to ensure client’s experiences were uninterrupted
Provided expert technology assistance for virtual, in-person, and hybrid programming
Produced media, including conceptualizing and editing photography and videography projects
Created and edited written content, including writing original pieces for the International Programs news site
Assisted the IP webmaster to support web updates, edits, and online form management in Drupal
Reviewed and edited outgoing print and digital marketing and communications materials created by the communications and relations team, ensuring all content produced abided by university brand standards
Projects/Committees
Co-Chair - International Education Week Committee (Spring 2022 - Present)
Planned and implemented a weeklong educational experience with partners across campus to execute the joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences.
Study Abroad/Communications & Relations Lead (Fall 2023 - Spring 2025)
Served on the joint group of leaders from both teams to strategically consider partnership and outreach opportunities for the unit
International Student & Scholar Services/Communications & Relations Lead (Spring 2025 - Present)
Served on the joint group of leaders from both teams to strategically consider partnership and outreach opportunities for the unit