Blake Weiss Email & Phone Number

Knoxville, Tn, Us

Serve as the inaugural program director for the Center for Basic Needs, a Dean of Students team dedicated to providing basic needs support to students, faculty, and staff. We aim to provide a safety net for student success and well-being by providing access to basic needs through advocacy and support.This position oversees the operations of 2 facilities (Big Orange Pantry and Smokey's Closet) with an annual impact of 20,000+ users, 1,000+ volunteers, and dozens of fundraising and outreach events. Our team is also responsible for coordinating 1-on-1 basic needs consultations, a basic needs emergency fund, meal swipe and scholarship programs, and academic break transportation across Tennessee.

Serve as the program director for basic needs with the Office of the Dean of Students. a team dedicated to providing basic needs support to students, faculty, and staff. We aim to provide a safety net for student success and well-being by providing access to basic needs through advocacy and support.This position oversees the operations of 2 facilities (Big Orange Pantry and Smokey's Closet) with an annual impact of 20,000+ users, 1,000+ volunteers, and dozens of fundraising and outreach events. Our team is also responsible for coordinating 1-on-1 basic needs consultations, a basic needs emergency fund, meal swipe and scholarship programs, and academic break transportation across Tennessee.

Knoxville, Tennessee

As a member of the Student Life Executive Leadership team, I am primarily responsible for designing and implementing a variety of division-wide strategic initiatives including recruiting and onboarding graduate and professional staff, ongoing personal and professional training and development, leading fundraising and stewardship efforts, and supporting divisional assessment and communication efforts. I am also responsible for institutional state and federal compliance responsibilities related to alcohol and drug prevention and treatment.

Responsible for implementing programming and services for over 24,000 students living off campus, including neighborhood-based service, safety and security initiatives, and community engagement opportunities. Through collaborations with campus partners, public officials, and neighborhood leaders, I supported initiatives integrating students into the local community.

As a graduate assistant, I oversaw the operations of an 800+ student, co-educational, residential complex of 3 residence halls where I co-supervised, hired, and trained a staff of 18 resident assistants and 15 desk assistants. During this time, I managed a $10,500 hall budget, advised an 8-person Hall Council, served on-call for emergency and crisis management situations, and sat on the Residential Student Experience Curriculum Development Committee.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Higher Education/Higher Education Administration

Master Of Science - Ms, Higher Education

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Psychology