Katie Kirkland, M.Ed, M.S., Cf-Slp Email & Phone Number

United States

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

* Laid off due to COVID-19Responsible for managing a wide portfolio of CIS Abroad study and intern programs in Italy, France and Greece with over 500 students enrolled in programs. Supervised eight on-site staff, and ensured high quality program delivery while managing client relationships with overseas partners. Worked effectively as a member of a team, provided direction, delegated, and utilized strong organizational skills. • Mitigated health and safety issues with students abroad and worked with on-site staff to resolve on-site participant issues as quickly as possible. • Managed COVID-19 pandemic by collaborating with partners, families, and colleagues to ensure students returned home safely and had all necessary information to continue their courses remotely.• Created and analyzed academic surveys for students to gauge how their transition to online course work was going and addressed concerns. Discussed best practices for completing online courses and assisted with problems.

Midland, Michigan

Oversaw all education abroad programs, including direct oversight of Study Abroad and Exchange programs and International Partnership development. Collaborated with University officers, administrators, faculty, staff, students and international partners to grow and develop the institution’s international presence. Risk & Crisis ManagementLed the International Risk Management committee and served on the University-wide Core Crisis team as an expert in international travel and programming.Developed, implemented, and managed the comprehensive travel preparedness and response strategy for all study abroad programs including faculty-led, exchanges, and independent studies.Conducted annual evaluations of travel risk management with On Call International and analyzed these findings with the Chief Financial Officer to ensure appropriate insurance coverages for study abroad participants, faculty and staff.Developed new policies and procedures based on best practices for risk and crisis management including withdrawal and refund policies, emergency communication plans, and mental health and physical health protocols.Created and conducted real-life crisis scenario trainings for students and faculty traveling abroad.Student Travel Abroad & TeachingNegotiated and evaluated international agreements and MOUs including student/faculty exchange agreements.Oversaw administration, marketing and promotion for 10-12 Study Abroad and Exchange programs including updates to the website and curriculum for advisors.Created and led an improvement process plan for all study abroad programs, which increased numbers by 20% and eased enrollment processes within the first year.Developed and supervised study abroad programs and created and managed $500,000+ in budgets.Directed a committee in the design and implementation of a new Global Competency Certificate program.Taught a Freshman Foundations course and a World Cultures and Customs course in Costa Rica.

Charlotte, North Carolina Area

Developed, coordinated, and managed student travel abroad and exchange programs for 900 middle and high school students. Promoted and marketed programs and initiatives sponsored by the Global Education Office such as the Global Studies Diploma, the Global Educator Certificate, and student travel and exchanges. Worked directly with the Executive Director of Global Education on three-year budget development and forecast planning. Served as the school’s Round Square International (RSI) Representative liaising with 200 schools around the world to foster student and teacher exchanges, to implement the six Round Square IDEALS, and to promote collaborative RSI service learning projects.

Charlotte, North Carolina Area

International Students• Coordinated the processing and evaluation of international student applications; Conducted in-person and virtual interviews in addition to vetting applications for new, matriculating international students.• Processed I-20 documents as the school’s Designated School Official (DSO) for exchange and international students.• Provided logistical, technical and caring support for matriculated and non-matriculated international students.• Managed international delegation visits with the State Department and the International House of Charlotte.Student Travel Abroad• Conducted and analyzed survey data, increased student participation in global travel programs, and increased the number of unique travel opportunities through cultural exchanges, service learning projects, for-credit programs, and more. • Maintained current exchanges with sister schools while also crafting new relationships to expand programs globally.• Managed $400,000+ in trip budgets and determined financial aid allocation for student travel.• Revamped and expanded the mandatory global risk management training.• Chaired the Global Risk Management Committee and served on the broader school-wide Safety and Risk Committee.• Served as a Study Tour Leader for over 12 student travel experiences abroad.• Served as a point of contact and crisis leader with International SOS during a bus accident in Argentina with severe injuries and fatalities. Worked with the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires and assisted in the reunification process for students and families in Argentina and in the U.S.Special Events• Created and implemented the inaugural Global Week 2013 for 1600 TK-12th grade students; recruited and managed a team of 50+ volunteers, faculty, and staff; co-chaired Global Week 2016.• Organized the Round Square Regional Conference of the Americas bringing over 130 high school students and faculty from North and South America for a week-long highly dynamic, engaging conference.

Washington, Dc

Created marketing materials, maintained the corporate website, and produced capabilities statements for different service offerings within the company. Conducted business development initiatives and collaborated with team members on corporate marketing activities. Assisted with proposal development. Organized and publicized special events for the company. Founder and former chair of Duty First’s community involvement program.Assisted in the development of a communications outreach plan for the Dept of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Benefits Management Assistance Program (VBMAP) intended to increase awareness of an online portal. Developed messages to motivate Veterans to use this method of electronic claims submission. Built an intranet site for VBMAP resources and materials. Provided Facebook posts and Tweets to be utilized throughout campaign. Wrote newsletter articles on behalf of the Under Secretary to encourage enrollment in eBenefits.Developed a competency model for VA Facilities Management Training School to include titles, definitions and behavior indicators for a given occupation. Researched the occupation and assisted with focus groups and in-depth interviews with subject matter experts to validate the product and solicit input from all stakeholders. Conducted a needs assessment of current training. Developed a draft curriculum and course catalog and mapped courses to specific competencies needed by the occupation. Developed a corporate workforce planning capability model. Assisted with a comprehensive study on how VA conducts and delivers human resources policies, programs, and practices. Conducted in-depth interviews with VA staff and stakeholders to understand how workforce planning is currently being done, if there are policies and directives around workforce planning, where data comes from and how it is being utilized, what technology and trainings are available, and communication among employees and leadership.

Falls Church, Va

Oversaw day-to-day management of 21 middle school, high school and college chapters with more than 1,300 students and faculty advisors in the Best Buddies programs. Created and implemented leadership training programs for over 100 students that included best practices, public speaking, leadership and skill development, tools and resources, fundraising tactics, and event planning. Planned and orchestrated dinners, group activities, large-scale fundraisers and special events that raised over $250,000. Designed promotional flyers, website literature, and donation requests as well as photographed events and other activities. Spread the mission throughout the Virginia Commonwealth and increased awareness through her expertise in social media and other media initiatives, local marketing, and public speaking. Managed office interns and delegated specific projects to each. Instituted Business Buddies, a young professionals board tasked with fundraising and community awareness events.