S. M. Shepherd Email & Phone Number

Indianapolis, In, Us

Indianapolis, In, Us

As a press secretary for the Indiana Senate, I manage social media accounts for several state senators, developing original and strategic content to increase engagement and followers. In my role, I have gained valuable experience creating targeted messaging campaigns to increase awareness of and start conversations about pressing legislative issues. One of my chief duties includes drafting language for press releases, postcard mailers, official statements, speaking points and social media. Ensuring messaging consistency and accuracy across the various medium is a top priority and something I have learned to do effectively. Facilitating communication between members and the press and increasing media exposure is another one of my main responsibilities. The fast-paced environment of the statehouse means that I am often responsible for completing several projects at once to meet legislative deadlines, as well as news cycles. This has allowed me to hone my ability to prioritize and multitask more effectively.

Horizons Student Support Services is a federally funded TRIO program that provides aid and resources to first generation and income-eligible students. As a student leader for the TRIO program, I performed many roles in my to mission to help serve existing and potential students. For several years, I acted as a recruiter for the program, reaching out to several hundred incoming Purdue students, over the course of my tenure, who were eligible for the program to share the benefits of joining.I also worked as a teacher’s assistant for the Horizons class, presenting lessons to the the class, grading assignments and engaging in class discussions. Additionally, I performed administrative duties in the Horizons office, where I worked behind the front desk to assist students using the space. Perhaps one of my favorite memories of working with Horizons was traveling to Capitol Hill with the program’s directors. Over the course of two days, we met with several Indiana elected officials, urging them to vote against a proposal that would have hindered our program's funding. That year, funding for the TRIO program saw no cuts and actually increased significantly. It was a proud day for our organization and a huge win for the first-generation students that depend on the program's services.

Washington, Dc, Us

As a congressional intern for Congressman Viscklosky, I had the pleasure of working with his Communication’s Director to draft speaking points, issue-based letters and other correspondence on behalf of the representative’s office. Each week, I was tasked with taking photos of the Representative for social media and outreach efforts. I also performed administrative duties: checking emails, transferring calls, sorting files and assisting with daily tasks. I was often responsible for interacting with visiting constituents, providing them with tours of the Capitol, answering questions and sharing historical facts.