Kathy Benson Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il, Us

Evanston, Illinois, United States

Evanston, Illinois, United States

* Supported Master of Science in Machine Learning and Data Science (MLDS) and Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) programs as a resource to students (over 75% of which were international), faculty, staff, alumni, and industry partners; communicated regularly with MLDS students and staff via Slack and shared MSIT News weekly on Canvas site* Co-led info sessions for prospective applicants, conducted interviews with 30% of MLDS applicants and served as their point-person during the admissions process, onboarded students, planned/co-hosted orientation, held internship advising meetings with one third of each new cohort to help them navigate the search process, event planning (including catering orders, social events, and networking nights for students/employers and industry advisory board meetings)* Assessed/evaluated programs and advocated for ways to improve what we offered; for MLDS that included leading parts of a larger diversity initiative (efforts to attract URM students and define action steps in response to concerns raised at a Town Hall meeting); for MSIT gathered information about important holidays for international students, to effectively acknowledge and celebrate their heritage, plan celebrations in collaboration with students – i.e. Diwali, Day of the Dead and Chinese New Year* Assisted Associate Director with managing program budgets, prepared purchases, reimbursements, orders, expense reports, tracked spending for catering and special events to stay within our budgets; streamlined/simplified regular tasks and created/updated documentation, used surveys to centralize how we gathered information and evaluated our programs * Created and led a network for fellow Program Assistants in OPE to share information and support each other, in our roles supporting the 12 professional master’s programs, as well as in our own career development

• Help others take responsibility for their lives and achieve their goals through creating, implementing, and being accountable for healthy habits and routines• Run a private health and fitness accountability/support group for clients, where we check in daily, sharing what is working for us and what we are struggling with

Chicago, Illinois

• Bereaved and Blessed is about learning to cope and find joy when life doesn’t go as we hope, dream and plan (whether due to infertility, loss, illness and/or other circumstances)• BlogHer/SheKnows Media Publishing Network, Member (2011-2021) and Featured and Syndicated Writer (2011-2014) • BlogHer Conference in NYC, Speaker, “My Blog No Longer Fits Me: Blogging after Life Change” (August 2012)• allParenting Best Infertility Blogs (2012), Circle of Moms Top 25 Moms with Inspiring Families (2012) and Redbook magazine Blogroll: The Best Infertility Blogs (October 2011)

Evergreen Park, Illinois

• American Council on Exercise (A.C.E.) Certified Group Fitness Instructor (2006-2024) • Until the pandemic stay at home order in Illinois closed our business, taught a weekly class and substitute taught floor exercise, step aerobics, strength training, stretching and toning classes as needed• Developed, launched and maintained our website on the Blogger platform• Assisted with client recruitment, social marketing and public relations for the organization, including using our Facebook page (facebook.com/pages/Beverly-Bodyworks-Inc) to connect with clients and promote our classes

The Bernardin Center For Theology And Ministry, Chicago, Illinois

• Coordinated and implemented planning and orientation meetings, summer program, and follow-up retreats• Partnered with 25 schools and religious institutions and assisted with recruitment of high school students• Read applications, interviewed candidates and in collaboration with admissions committee, selected 37 students• Selected and established working relationships with seven ministry sites. Recruited, hired, and trained 14 mentors• Collaborated with the Director of the Bernardin Center, committees, Webmaster, PR staff, and Advisory Board• Worked with CTU faculty and consultants to develop curriculum and managed the budget

Oakton Community Center, Skokie, Illinois

• Planned, promoted, facilitated, evaluated and managed the budget for the District’s Senior Adult and Teen programs, two major special events (Back to School Carnival and Haunted House) and four summer camps• Trained, supervised and evaluated 35 part-time and seasonal staff• Assisted Facility Manager with management operations

Devonshire Cultural Center, Skokie, Illinois

• Planned, promoted, facilitated, evaluated and managed the budget for the District’s Culinary Arts, Visual Arts, Teen Program, two major special events and eight summer camp programs • Trained, supervised and evaluated 60 part-time and seasonal staff

The Spot Teen Center, Skokie, Illinois

• Planned, promoted, facilitated, evaluated and managed the budget for the District’s Teen program, two major special events and four summer camp programs• Trained, supervised and evaluated 1 full-time staff member and 30 part-time and seasonal staff• Developed, implemented and enforced facility operations, risk management and safety policies and procedures• Created community partnerships for the Youth Foundation of Skokie (which helped to support The Spot)• Young Professionals Network, founding member

Oakton Community Center, Skokie, Illinois

• Planned, promoted, facilitated, evaluated and managed the budget for the District’s Senior Adult program, Children’s Athletics and Martial Arts• Supervised and evaluated 15 part-time staff• Created a survey to determine the staff’s needs/perceptions to aid in the development a 5-year strategic plan

Student Affairs, Illini Union, Student Programs And Activities Department

• Developed and maintained organizational and leadership development programs for registered organizations and the student community at UIUC, held weekly office hours, and developed and maintained the Leadership Resource Library

• Worked with a team to develop the Chicago Park District University (CPDU): curriculum, kick-off, training catalog, and elective training timetable• Developed course framework for CPDU 1999, worked on roll-out of CPDU courses, and provided technical assistance and support to CPDU

• Assisted professor with a class of 240 students, held weekly office hours, wrote multiple choice exams, graded quizzes, maintained the grade book, and ran the lecture hall multi-media equipment

Momence, Illinois

• Worked with Citizens’ Advisory Board to develop a summer recreation program based on the resources, needs and interests of the community• Planned, promoted, facilitated, evaluated, budgeted, and maintained financial records for a day camp for children ages 6-13 and a variety of special events• Supervised and evaluated 4 paid youth leaders and 4 youth volunteers

Algonquin, Illinois

• Worked with co-director to supervise 20 counselors from a variety of backgrounds (including international)• Worked with 10 other staff members, as part of the administrative team, to enforce camp policies and continuously evaluate our progress towards our mission and the goals and the objectives of our programs

Algonquin, Illinois

• Worked at a residential camp with 40 staff members from a variety of backgrounds (including international) to plan activities for and lead groups of campers (including children, teens, families, and senior citizens) with emphasis placed on experiential education

Evanston, Illinois

• Helped plan activities for and led a group of 30 campers on a variety of field trips, aimed to teach urban mobility skills and broaden cultural awareness.

Evanston, Illinois

• Helped plan small group activities, mini-field trips, and led a group of 20 campers.

Master Of Science, Leisure Studies: Recreation Managment

Bachelor Of Science, Leisure Studies: Program Management

Activities and Societies: Alphi Phi Sorority, Atius, Sachem, Senior 100 Honorary, Newman Foundation Koinonia

Certificate In Fundraising Management

Ifsa London Semester Abroad Program

Activities and Societies: Canoe Polo Club, Newman House

High School Diploma

Activities and Societies: Esande Dance Company, Golf Team, National Honor Society