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Cecilia A. Urrutia
Bowie,MD
Summary
Strategic communications professional with over 5 years of experience in marketing, storytelling, and community engagement in educational and nonprofit sectors. Skilled in content creation, digital communications, and event coordination, driving organizational visibility and community connections. Manages multiple projects effectively while building strong relationships with students, families, and stakeholders to enhance school culture and promote enrollment growth.
Overview
1
1
Certification
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Teaching Assistant
The Summit School
Edgewater, MD
07.2025 - Current
- Provide academic and behavioral support to 60+ elementary and middle school students with learning differences, such as dyslexia and dysgraphia daily, collaborating with lead teachers through individualized guidance, task redirection, and classroom management, fostering student engagement and educational support
- Support family and student engagement by ensuring 100% daily student readiness, including homework completion, organization, and smooth classroom transitions
- Assist lead teachers with classroom operations by grading assignments in Google Classroom, distributing instructional materials, and maintaining structured, safe, and positive learning environments for diverse learners
- Lead two electives for 20+ elementary school students weekly, creating lesson plans and facilitating engaging activities that teach meditation/yoga techniques, to promote emotional regulation, self-awareness, and mindfulness practices to support students' overall well-being
- Administer the Read Naturally Live intervention program to students, supporting literacy development and monitoring measurable reading progress through weekly assessments to support reading, writing, and comprehension skills
- Build positive relationships with students, faculty, and families through consistent communication, mentorship, and relationship-building practices that promote student confidence and success
- Utilize digital communications and educational platforms, including Google Classroom and Read Naturally Live, to support instruction, organization, and student progress monitoring
- Coordinate and supervise daily school activities for approximately 100 students during hallway transitions, lunch periods, recess, and carpool, ensuring student safety and accountability
- Designed engaging school visuals, bulletin boards, and student-centered displays that supported school branding, community engagement, and family outreach initiatives while strengthening the school’s welcoming environment
- Served as Assistant Cross Country Coach during the fall season, helping train, motivate, and support student-athletes while encouraging goal setting, perseverance, teamwork, and personal growth in a positive team environment
- Collaborated cross-functionally with faculty and staff to coordinate school-wide events, community initiatives, and family engagement activities that strengthened school culture and enhanced the overall student experience, such as Open House, Grandparents Day, and the Maryland Science Center Trip
Communications Consultant
Booz Allen Hamilton
Crystal City, VA
09.2022 - 05.2025
- Developed communication strategies for diverse client projects across various sectors
- Produced internal and external communication materials, presentations, and client-facing deliverables while supporting strategic communications initiatives and cross-functional collaboration
- Managed multiple communication projects and timelines simultaneously while responding to client requests and ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality materials
- Facilitated workshops to enhance stakeholder engagement and collaboration efforts
- Crafted compelling content for press releases, social media, and newsletters
- Managed social media content, ensuring alignment with brand messaging and goals
- Designed training materials to support effective communication practices within organizations
- Managed project timelines and deliverables to meet client expectations efficiently
- Conducted interviews with subject matter experts to create thought leadership pieces for publication in print and online outlets
Virtual Art Teacher & Communications Consultant
AmeriCorps/Mi Casa Inc.
Washington, D.C.
06.2020 - 08.2020
- Managed Mi Casa's social media platforms, digital communications, and online outreach strategies across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to increase community engagement and program visibility
- Developed and led a 7-week virtual summer art curriculum to promote resident engagement, mental wellness, self-expression, and confidence, and presented artwork in the resident building
- Designed and published 10+ digital newsletters that promoted organizational initiatives, community programs, and outreach events
- Captured and communicated authentic community stories through digital content, event promotion, and mission-focused outreach materials that strengthened organizational visibility and engagement
Capacity-Building Strategist
AmeriCorps/Mi Casa Inc.
Washington, D.C.
03.2019 - 03.2020
- Designed and published high-visibility online newsletters, effectively communicating Mi Casa Inc.'s mission to provide affordable housing to low-income residents, updates on affordable housing cooperatives and trainings to a diverse group of stakeholders, including interested cooperative residents, board members, and funding partners
- Enhanced digital and social media presence on Twitter and Facebook, increasing visibility and engagement with key audiences
- Contributed to rebranding Mi Casa Inc.'s website and marketing materials by crafting compelling content and providing insights that strengthened messaging
- Created and produced a variety of marketing materials, such as brochures, flyers, programs, and one-pagers, tailored to diverse audiences and outreach objectives
- Supported communications for events, including Housing Expo Convention and Mi Casa's Cooperative Leadership Academy Training, raising awareness about affordable housing solutions
Maryland Leadership Program Conferences Facilitator
University of Maryland
College Park, MD
01.2018 - 12.2018
- Conducted leadership workshops at the University of Maryland to enhance student leadership skills through initiatives like the Mosaic Diversity and LCSL Leadership Conference
- Developed workshop trainings and recruited prospective facilitators through outreach events like STAMP Fest
- Evaluated program effectiveness by collecting participant feedback and implementing adjustments
America Reads Team Leader and Mentor Program
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, Maryland
08.2016 - 01.2018
- Directed a team of college students mentoring elementary school students twice weekly to enhance reading, writing, and language skills
- Implemented America Reads curriculum to enhance mentorship effectiveness for 3 students at local elementary schools
- Conducted weekly discussions on student progress to refine mentorship strategies and tackle challenges
- Organized quarterly performance reviews to provide constructive feedback and suggest improvements for mentors
- Coordinated 4 end-of-year celebrations to acknowledge contributions of both mentors and mentees
Clinical Assistant in the Neurobehavioral Unit
Kennedy Krieger Institute
Baltimore, MD
07.2017 - 09.2017
- Implemented treatment protocols and ABA therapy techniques, enhancing patient engagement through a 3-step model and positive reinforcement
- Conducted academic sessions to improve patient understanding and application of skills
- Assisted patients with daily activities, promoting independence in morning and bedtime routines
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology and Human Development Minor
University of Maryland
College Park12-2018
Professional Statement
Compassionate and creative communications professional with 5+ years of experience in marketing, storytelling, community engagement, and educational support within school, nonprofit, and mission-driven environments. Skilled in content creation, digital communications, event coordination, relationship-building, and outreach strategies that strengthen community connection and organizational visibility. Passionate about using communication and storytelling to support school culture, family engagement, enrollment growth, and mission-driven initiatives. Brings a collaborative, proactive, and detail-oriented approach with experience managing multiple projects, creating engaging digital content, and fostering meaningful relationships with students, families, faculty, and community stakeholders.
Communications & Marketing Skills
- Digital Communications
- Marketing & Outreach
- Social Media Management
- Content Creation
- Storytelling
- Google Classroom expertise
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- Canva proficiency
- Digital content creation
- Writing and editing skills
- Event coordination
- Community outreach initiatives
- Family and student engagement
- Community relations
- Stakeholder engagement
- Team collaboration
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Strategic communication
- Effective communication
- Marketing communications
- Internal communications
- Media relations
- Press release writing
- Social media strategy
- Organizational skills
- Task prioritization
- Project management
- Problem-solving skills
- Continuous improvement mindset
- Bilingual (Spanish)
- Mentoring and coaching
- Confidence building
- Outreach initiatives
- Family engagement
- Compassion and empathy
- Reinforcement techniques
- Positive reinforcement techniques
- Self-motivation
- Notebook LM knowledge
- Canva proficiency
- Community Engagement
- Event Coordination
- Brand Support
- Newsletter Development
- Family & Student Engagement
- Website & Digital Content Support
- Project Management
- Relationship Building
- School Communications
- Canva
- Google Workspace
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Educational Support
- Bilingual (Spanish)
Social Emotional Skills
- Compassion
- Patience
- Empathy and Emotional Awareness
- Building Student Confidence and Self-Advocacy
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Organization
- Problem Solving
- Family and Student Engagement
- Relationship-building
- Positivity
Certification
- Certificate of Change Management, Prosci Inc., 05/25
- Certificate in Digital Marketing Strategy, Georgetown University, 12/20
Honors And Awards
- Terrapin Leadership Institute Award, 2017
- Phi Theta Kappa Honor, 2015
- America Reads Program Team Leader, 2018
- AACC Cross-Country Regional Championship, 2013
Languages
Spanish
Limited
American Sign Language
Elementary
Affiliations
- Assistant Cross-Country Coach - The Summit School
Timeline
Teaching Assistant
The Summit School
07.2025 - Current
Communications Consultant
Booz Allen Hamilton
09.2022 - 05.2025
Virtual Art Teacher & Communications Consultant
AmeriCorps/Mi Casa Inc.
06.2020 - 08.2020
Capacity-Building Strategist
AmeriCorps/Mi Casa Inc.
03.2019 - 03.2020
Maryland Leadership Program Conferences Facilitator
University of Maryland
01.2018 - 12.2018
Clinical Assistant in the Neurobehavioral Unit
Kennedy Krieger Institute
07.2017 - 09.2017
America Reads Team Leader and Mentor Program
University of Maryland, College Park
08.2016 - 01.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology and Human Development Minor
University of Maryland