a.k.a. Contract Specialist/Assistant

Worked with the Senior Director to provide broader support for the organization’s advocacy, services, and programs.Organized, contributed toward, edited, and reviewed grant applications and contract renewals. Ensured accounts are in good standing, and monitored reporting and documentation deadlines. Coordinated and assisted with events, primarily annual Galas and Halloween programs. Increased our level of financial support: the 2023 gala netted a profit from sponsorships, including first-time awards from foundations. Reinvented our previous Accessible Halloween event into a Trunk-or-Treat at Frontier Field; this format resulted in a substantial increase in participation and involvement. Utilized funder interest to cover all program costs and to ensure continuity of support. Set up our printed material production: developed newsletters (including writing articles, editing content, and incorporate format revisions). Managed the inventory and acquisition of marketing materials and organizational requests (i.e., business cards; brochures and flyers; swag-type supplies). Created text for Pooled Trust brochure and CDPAS brochure. Recommended and implemented vendor changes, which led toward a partnership that generated both funds and awareness in the Greater Rochester community. Distributed press releases, produced television lobby slides, managed CDR’s webpage (WordPress), developed flyers, programs, and other promotional materials. Assisted with photography and social media (Facebook/Twitter) duties.Handled preparation for the Development Committee, reporting to the Program Assessment Committee, and conducted monthly tracking of media outreach.

Processed incoming checks, fund transfers, voided checks, rejected and cancelled payments; in addition to requests for Verification of Deposit and full ledgers for the Pooled Trust consumers via fax, email, and postal mail.Monitored and maintained spreadsheets for recurring Verification of Deposit, held checks, and check batches. Also responsible for organization of the drawers for deposited checks and the folders containing held check reference information.Assisted the Coordinator with managing closing of trust accounts, as well as with other office needs within the department.Contributed toward the department operations through identifying issues and areas for development in regards to our change in software.

Supported the AP & AR departments with all steps of processing incoming funds and bill payment requests. This included reviewed bills for payment approvals, set up recurring approvals, reviewed bills for funding and appropriateness for payment, and inputted bill entries; additionally entered in consumers payments.Managed bill payment requests that lacked sufficient funding in consumers' respective accounts. Reviewed consumers' ACH schedules and checked reports for incoming payments; compiled and managed the applicable information. Assisted the CDR and Pooled Trust staff with initiatives pertaining to compiling, organizing and documenting information. Specifically, utilized these to assist with organizational improvements to increase productivity and reduce redundancies. Aided the Pooled Trust staff with ongoing duties that utilized organizational needs and demands, such as mass mailings, filing, and alphabetizing.

Processed collection of almost two thousand postcards. Steps included re-categorized the collection to improve navigability for patrons; inventoried, cataloged, and organized the collection to ensure accuracy and consistency; scanned individual postcards for ensuring electronic backup and making available through the museum’s webpage. Additionally, developed a finding aid for the collection to assist patrons. Concurrently learned selected functions for applicable computer software, including Word Press, Past Perfect, and Adobe Bridge/Photoshop (batch file conversion and renaming). Researched and compiled grant opportunities for new programming and/or funding existing initiatives; prioritized these based on the museum's short and long term goals. Gained insight toward the logistics of museum and archive management.

Performed office tasks such as opened and closed legal files, reviewed legal materials for numerical order and chronological accuracy, monitored and ordered forms and supplies, checked for outstanding bills owed to the office, reconciled the office checking accounts, and assisted with photocopying, typing, bank deposits, faxing, and sending and receiving mail. Assisted attorney with drafting documents (i.e. advance directive documents, deeds), routine correspondence and completing paperwork (i.e. federal and state taxation forms), with supervision, on an as-needed basis. Gained insight toward the legal field, specifically probate law and real estate transactions; witnessed and conformed Wills and advance directive documents, prepared materials for attorney in advance of real estate closings, prepared packages post-closing for banks and clients. Responsible for a substantial reorganization and filing project to ensure compatibility with legal best practices; this included editing, updating, correcting, and formatting client information through Microsoft Excel, developed indexes for research and administrative files, and made recommendations for maximizing effective space utilization of the office suite.Developed and maintained written procedures for consistency and accuracy; created and maintained best practices manual for real estate closings, information security, and issuance of title policies.

Assisted the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students on an as-needed basis with special projects, focused on developing and maintaining pertinent information. Researched and investigated current issues, legal policies and regulations, and/or higher education administration practices from a comparative perspective. From gathered information, provided the Vice President with any applicable findings and recommendations.My primary accomplishment in this position was my involvement on the university’s recent campus climate assessment (cited in the university’s 2017 Interim Report for New England Association of Schools and Colleges). Specific tasks and responsibilities included: -Drafted written documents, including status updates, reports, and official correspondence.-Maintained documents and ensured their accuracy, both electronic and in hard copy. -Conducted data entry on survey results, and subsequently organized and synthesized the quantitative and qualitative information received from focus group audiences. -Administrative responsibilities, such as scheduled meetings for a subcommittee; assisted with agenda setting, task delegation, and summarized meeting outcomes amongst members. Additional previous roles and accomplishments included completed "Safe Space" training, developed a replacement webpage for Parents & Families using content management software; contributed to the University’s initiatives on civility and addressing campus bias through serving on the Diversity Task Force (responsibilities included took meeting minutes, assisted with mission and goals revision, and set up and maintained the group’s online classroom); attended Parent’s Association meetings; reviewed applications for Leadership Grants to be awarded to incoming students; and assisted the Parent’s Association and the Office of Alumni Relations with event management.

Responsible for entering and maintaining data, primarily for canvassing, into the Votebuilder database.Assisted the Field Organizer with managing canvassing assignments and staging location reporting.Served as a poll checker on Election Day, monitored and referred challenges toward voter rights.Received training in campaign responsibilities, such as cutting canvassing turf and GOTV.Provided on-site coverage for event featuring President Bill Clinton, including event setup and breakdown.

Shadowed the Facility and Events Manager to learn about logistical management such as setups, scheduling, troubleshooting, and building upkeep. In the process, observed student supervision through a developmental perspective, including the semester training, while being cognizant of the standard operating procedures applicable toward the student managers, desk attendants, and setup crew. As a result of my service and dedication, was invited to and honored at their yearly awards banquet.

As part of a team, replaced the existing Institute's webpage using content management system software.Assisted with office work, primarily through sorting and organizing the office's extensive quantity of files containing various resources and media applicable toward the field of facilitated communication.

Collaborated with the Assistant Dean to develop and write Eunice Hilton's application for the Women's Hall of Fame. This project entailed conducting extensive research on Ms. Hilton and the history of the university and higher education profession, including materials through the university archives, applying my graduate program's classroom content toward professional practice.

Assisted with advising SCOPE (the student programming board) and with the implementation of major events such as the Haunted House, Casino Night, Multicultural Dinner, Block Party, and House Party. This primary responsibility honed my collaboration and troubleshooting skills through working with students one-on-one and in a small group setting, in addition to collaborating with the Student Centers & Programming Services office who managed the student center on Syracuse University's South Campus.Other responsibilities that demonstrated my responsibility, accountability, and information provision. skills included:Observed judicial meetings and assisted with health and safety inspections and lock your door campaigns for the South Campus Apartments; apartment housing for 2,500 students, primarily undergraduates.Contributed toward the management of residential opening and check-in during orientation for the South Campus Apartments and Skyhalls Residence Halls, in addition to chaperoning the Downtown Syracuse Orientation program.Conducted a workshop on Active Student Learning.Created a survey seeking student feedback on programming ideas for South Campus.Designed a brochure on the University’s pet policy and how to humanely remove pets.Conducted a focus group with transfer students and developed recommendations based on their experiences.

Wrote, edited, and prepared content for the proposed Diversity Peer Educators program, including instructional modules and program publicity, and for the planned New Student Programs blog for Parents and Families.Developed workshops on leadership topics, such as Teamwork, Burnout, and Feedback Provision.Reviewed and provided feedback on student organization policies in the Student Organization Guidebook, based on student suggestions as well as from best practices.Assisted with the college’s booth for parents and families during student orientation.Shadowed training for Student Leadership Consultants and the Jump Start pre-orientation program.

Worked with two students with disabilities, helped advise students registering for classes, and observed and assisted during meetings for students on academic probation. These responsibilities required synthesizing and applying college requirements and procedures toward promoting student outcomes.Contributed toward program implementation for the Academic Advisement Center events (MAJOR, Sophomore Summit).Re-organized the DSS webpage to improve navigability, using content management software, and updated Web resources to provide additional and enhanced content. Assisted with editing surveys for students and faculty on the services provided by DSS.Gained knowledge of academic advising and learning strategies through guidance by the Director of Academic Support Services.