Wanya Ward
Student Affairs Practitioner
Raleigh,NC
Summary
Dedicated Graduate Assistant skilled in research and advancing equity and inclusivity illustrated over successful academic career. Hardworking with voracious appetite for knowledge.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Civic Engagement Initiatives Graduate Assistant
Student Leadership And Engagement
Raleigh, NC
07.2021 - Current
- Became strong advocate for voting reform and voter information.
- Educated young people about strategies for driving discussions and promoting social changes.
- Collaborated with team members to improve engagement experiences.
- Created engagement events based on student preferences, current events and community partnerships.
- Built partnerships with related organizations to develop support and gain greater attention for important issues.
- Contributed to planning, implementation and promotion of engagement activities.
Tutor Mentor
Sunshine Methods
Raleigh, United States
03.2021 - Current
- Collaborated with students to complete homework assignments, identify lagging skills and correct weaknesses.
- Planned lessons for allotted time to strengthen weak subjects and build skills.
- Tracked learning progress to identify opportunities to enhance tutoring methods and help students achieve educational goals.
- Improved test scores by focusing on reading comprehension, math, and critical thinking skills through one-on-one tutoring sessions.
- Developed student confidence though attentive instruction in their education, applying positive reinforcement strategies.
Teaching Assistant
Campus Engagement and Leadership
Pembroke, NC
09.2019 - 04.2020
- Planned and organized biweekly meetings focused on student development and peer education to help student leaders develop different aspects of their leadership styles and skills.
- Mentored 12 students to better understand and explore their role as Peer Educators to various student groups on campus.
- Created in-depth activities and assignments to evaluate the effectiveness of the course, modifying them as needed.
HAWK Assistant
Learning Center
Pembroke, NC
09.2017 - 08.2019
- Assisted diverse faculty at UNCP by collecting and reporting student opinions on matters related to instruction.
- Organized and oversaw a 6-person team of faculty to conduct midsemester check-ins on more than 30 classes, improving classes based on feedback.
- Collaborated with biology faculty to redesign the university’s introductory biology course.
- Cocreated BioBoost, a welcome week program, to prepare incoming biology majors for success in the discipline.
Mentor
Campus Engagement and Leadership
Pembroke, NC
05.2017 - 04.2019
- Mentored two cohorts of 40 students in the Leadership Learning Community, helping them better understand themselves as change agents through activities, programs and lessons.
- Guided members of the Leadership Learning Community to practice the Social Change Model, understand its impacts, and determine the roles they play.
- Empowered members of the community to better understand their role as students and student leaders in the University, connected to office across campus.
- Supported efforts to increase retention.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of North Carolina At Pembroke
Pembroke, NC 08.2016 - 11.2020
M.Ed - Higher Education
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 08.2021 - Current
Skills
Leadership
Planning and Coordination
Customer Service
Training and Development
Flexible and Adaptable
Great Communication
Team Building
Accomplishments
- Co-teaching in Higher Education: A Student’s Perspective,” Professional and Organizational Development Network Conference, Pittsburgh, November 2019.
- Building Leadership through Diversity” Inspire Conference, University of North Carolina, Pembroke, March 2019.
- Creating Change- Social Change Model,” iLEAD Conference, University of North Carolina, Pembroke, April 2018.
Additional Information
- Awarded Values Based Leader of the year by the office of Student Involvement and Leadership, April 2019
- Awarded New RA of the Year by the director of the Housing & Residence Life team, April 2018
- Awarded Unsung Leader of the Year by the office of Student Involvement and Leadership, April 2018
- Awarded Program of the Year, “Leadership Takeout”, by the office of Student Involvement and Leadership, April 2018
Timeline
M.Ed - Higher Education
North Carolina State University
08.2021 - Current
Civic Engagement Initiatives Graduate Assistant
Student Leadership And Engagement
07.2021 - Current
Tutor Mentor
Sunshine Methods
03.2021 - Current
Teaching Assistant
Campus Engagement and Leadership
09.2019 - 04.2020
HAWK Assistant
Learning Center
09.2017 - 08.2019
Mentor
Campus Engagement and Leadership
05.2017 - 04.2019
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of North Carolina At Pembroke
08.2016 - 11.2020