A.J. Simmons Email & Phone Number

Charlotte, Nc, Us

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

First Year and Transition Programs- Lead a team of three Assistant Directors who facilitate several identity-based transition and retention programs for students including University Transition Opportunities Program (UTOP), Forty-Niner Intensive Transition Program (FIT) & 49er1st- Introduce and help faculty integrate concepts and practices that produce equitable outcomes for students through collaborative partnerships with academic departments and the Center for Teaching and Learning- Develop initiatives to meet the needs of underrepresented and minoritized students by creating inclusive environments through the Student Experience Project- Advocate for the success of first generation and students of color through partnerships with Road to Hire which aim to help them matriculate through college and into meaningful work

Charlotte, North Carolina

- Supervise a team of 14 Peer Professionals (Peer Pros) who facilitate 3000+ drop-in interactions per semester aiding students and alumni across several professional development dimensions including interviews, resume and cover letter critiques- Hire and provide ongoing training for Peer Pros and a graduate assistant by facilitating regular meetings- Designed a Peer Pro handbook to institutionalize program culture, expectations and protocol and serve as a referencing source - Directed the successful transition to a hybrid system for visitors to engage with the UCC by drafting a workflow model and facilitating training for Peer Pros as a response to the challenges of COVID-19- Established equity and creative teams among the Peer Pros to execute relevant projects which enhance the overall administration of the UCC- Initiated the use of an application to maintain express communication among the Peer Pros and program management- Collaborate with Associate Director and academic program faculty to offer tailored programs that prepare and connect students in the Arts, Media and Design career community with exciting opportunities- Orchestrated the first Inclusivity Week by expanding the Inclusivity Mixer to a feature 3 distinct panels highlighting identity and intersectionality each followed by Q & A and networking sessions - Conceptualized and facilitated the Black Professionals Series and other equity-seeking initiatives at the UCC- Counsel students and alumni on topics including career & major exploration, job search, and career assessments- Developed and delivered multiple sections of the UCOL 2200 course, College By Design, to support students in career and personal development by addressing concepts including social capital, intrapreneurship and reflection- Executed morale-boosting green initiative which enhanced key work areas such as the common area, employer lounge, professional clothing closet and career classroom by installing 50+ air-purifying plants

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

- Provided practical insight for conducting a broad evaluation of arts-based programming for Charlotte-Mecklenburg- Collaborated with artists, educators, urban planners and other change agents to conceptualize the purpose of Arts Impact Charlotte- Recruited hundreds of artists and arts-based programs intended for social change to respond to survey materials

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

- Served as a co-lead consultant on an Annie E. Casey Foundation funded project seeking to better understand the needs of young Black and Brown parents by overseeing the qualitative elements of the project- Collected, organized, and analyzed qualitative data directly from Black and Brown parents under the age of 25 (young parents) regarding systems of care and their experiences navigating those services- Designed a brief, intensive qualitative analysis based on focus group data from several sessions with young parents to provide formative and summative insight- Co-authored and reviewed a final report focused on strengthening opportunities for young parents based on results and our ensuing recommendations for systems of care

Charlotte, North Carolina

-Assisted the Executive Director and Associate Director in tasks related to generalprogram administration to ensure program functioning-Collected, organized, and analyzed program evaluation information to enhance on-campus program communication-Contributed to professional development of 61 CommunicationConsultants by identifying strategies for them to conduct successful peer-to-peer tutelage-Organized program records and information to maintain an orderly and efficient office

Charlotte, North Carolina

- Supervised a team of 13 Peer Pros who enhance the UCC by assisting 500+ students with resume and cover letter critiques per semester- Managed the schedule of each Peer Pro by handling conflicts and event planning as well as leading team-building activities such as recreational outings and team meetings- Advised students and alumni on topics including career & major exploration, job search, and interviewing strategies- Collaborated with Assistant Director in hiring process of Pros by reviewing applicants and facilitating interviews- Facilitated weekly sessions with students on academic probation to introduce them to strategies for studying, goal-setting and more- Promoted the services of the UCC through engaging students and faculty with presentations

Agile Leadership: Transforming Mindsets And Capabilities In Your Organization

Master Of Arts (M.A.), Community Psychology

Activities and Societies: American Psychological Association North Carolina Association of Colleges and EmployersCompleted coursework.

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Psychology

Activities and Societies: Association of Black Psychologists at Virginia Tech Recovery Effort After Adult and Child Trauma (REAACT).

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Sociology

Activities and Societies: Resident Advisor Eggleston Community Council Each One Reach One