Emily Kochanski

As the lead for the Simulated Experiences at Saint Leo program (SESL), my primary goal is to design and execute immersive virtual job simulations that enhance student learning and engagement, employing advanced theatrical techniques to make these experiences as realistic as possible. I am additionally responsible for managing various departmental tasks and providing crucial and creative support for the university’s Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE).

• Spearhead immersive virtual job simulations, enhancing student engagement across diverse fields like Education, Criminal Justice, and Healthcare.
• Foster partnerships with educators beyond SLU, expanding simulated experiences to learners in various study areas and maintaining detailed client records.
• Develop compelling simulation scenarios tailored to course curricula, leveraging advanced theatrical techniques for realistic experiences.
• Produce program marketing materials adhering to brand guidelines, and host strategic webinars to showcase simulation software effectiveness.
• Maintain comprehensive simulation usage records and create engaging content for social media and website, boosting program visibility.
• Conduct strategic webinars showcasing simulation software, leveraging scholarly evidence to demonstrate technology effectiveness to faculty and partners.
• Mentor incoming simulation specialists, providing comprehensive training on software operation and key components to ensure team excellence.
• Meticulously proofread and edit diverse content.
• Conduct thorough quality assurance for new courses, meticulously reviewing content for accuracy, functionality, and consistency to enhance educational resources.
• Provide crucial support for faculty events, assist with Zoom technology, and serve as a moderator, enhancing the overall faculty learning experience.
• Develop creative solutions for event management, design engaging social media graphics, and contribute to the continuous improvement of educational resources.
• Analyze social media metrics, compile comprehensive data for annual reports, and strategically plan content to boost departmental visibility.
• Compile comprehensive data for annual reports, providing valuable insights on continued departmental growth and improvement.
• Maintain accurate data records, enter post-event information into Smartsheets, and ensure up-to-date statistics for efficient departmental operations.
• Coordinate pre and post-event tasks, including drafting PowerPoints and crafting presenter citations, for biannual faculty-focused events.

Along with upholding the lobby area's integrity and handling various clerical duties, I was responsible for managing initial inquiries through phone and text, scheduling introductory auditions, and acting as the first point of contact for prospective students and their families.

• Streamlined reception processes, improved response times to client inquiries, and optimized scheduling procedures, enhancing overall client satisfaction and agency efficiency.
• Provided empathetic support to aspiring actors and models, addressing concerns and facilitating a positive first impression of the agency's services.
• Leveraged effective communication skills to convert inquiries into enrollments, substantially increasing student retention rates.
• Managed incoming communications, organized educational materials, and maintained front desk operations, ensuring smooth daily agency functions.
• Supported teachers with class duties and technology, fostering a collaborative learning environment and enhancing overall educational experience.

What began as a summer internship blossomed into a memorable three-year career. Despite the brief duration of my tenure at the publication, I advanced quickly, taking on various responsibilities across its three periodicals: the Dade City News, the Zephyrhills Free Press, and the East Pasco Senior News.

• Attended and analyzed local events, conducted interviews, and produced compelling articles, enhancing community engagement through accurate and timely reporting.
• Streamlined content management processes, improving newspaper layout efficiency and delivering breaking news reports that kept the community informed.
• Partnered with team members to finalize newspaper layout, managing diverse content including obituaries, arrest reports, and Senior News.
• Pioneered new approaches to storytelling, capturing engaging photos and writing articles that significantly boosted reader engagement.
• Cultivated strong relationships with local sources, ensuring reliable news coverage and positioning the publication as a trusted community resource.

Working with a talented team of undergraduate editors, I gathered information and crafted content that brought Saint Leo’s student-run publication to life. In addition to managing the Campus News section, I also integrated stories across A&E, World News, and Events, fostering engagement and enjoyment among students, faculty, and staff.

• Led campus news coverage, ensuring timely and accurate reporting while mentoring new reporters and refining story structures.
• Cultivated a collaborative newsroom environment, mentoring new reporters and facilitating weekly planning sessions to improve overall content quality.
• Meticulously reviewed and approved final articles, ensuring adherence to journalistic standards and accuracy in reporting.
• Streamlined weekly issue production by collaborating with layout team, enhancing visual appeal and efficiency using Adobe InDesign.