Leslie Ferguson

Human Resources Administration

• Provide administrative support for new employees and affiliates, including submission of affiliate forms and communications with EITS and OneCard office for new employees as neededSupport timely completion of required new employee training
• Coordinate advertisement of employment opportunities across multiple external recruitment platforms and maintain professional relationships with employment platform representatives
• Maintain accurate employee records, ensuring confidentiality

Assistance to Leadership

• Serve as administrative assistant to department head
• Manage daily clerical tasks assisting leadership, including email correspondence on behalf of leadership with external partners and government leaders
• Prepare promotion and award packages
• Coordinate schedules for director and leadership team members as well as external participants for interviews, meetings, and events
• Schedule and coordinate logistics for interview search committee meetings and virtual and in-person interviews
• Assist associate directors with event planning, meeting scheduling, and communication with external contacts, as requested
• Manage sponsor benefits for department head and communicate with sponsoring organizations on behalf of leadership to ensure proper advertising of our department's sponsorship support and coordinate sponsor tabling event logistics
• Provide general administrative support to Athens, Brunswick, and Skidaway leadership team members as requested

Administrative Support

• Arrange travel accommodations, lodging reservations, transportation logistics, and reimbursement support for employees and non-employees
• Coordinate direct-bill hotel reservations and conference-related travel for staff, speakers, and organizational partners
• Support office operations through filing, making copies and document preparation, maintaining office materials, and other operational needs
• Maintain professional relationships with sponsors, vendors, university departments, and industry partners

Fiscal and Business Operations

• Support administrative financial director with fiscal and business operations
• Prepare and submit payment requests for monthly bills, sponsorship payments, and stipend payments
• Process with non-employee payment requests by assisting with vendor registration, completing related paperwork, collecting itemized documentation for expenses, and communicating reimbursement policy for domestic and international travel
• Prepare and send intra-university and external payment invoices, including sponsorships
• Process intra-university payments utlizing general ledger journals
• Track all outstanding invoices and resolve payment and invoicing issues with internal and external partners
• Process UGAmart purchase orders for catalog and non-catalog purchases and submit contracts to procurement for review with vendors
• Create receipts and submit invoices to clear balances for contracted services
• Serve as office procurement card holder, verify purchase requests from team are for allowable purchases, obtain required preapprovals, complete payments in a timely manner, manage signoffs in Bank of America Works, submit monthly reconciliation packages organized according to procurement policy

Subaward and Subcontract Management

• Assist in processing Marine Extension, and Georgia Sea Grant subaward payments
• Assist in processing Sea Grant/NOAA subaward and contract payments including state fellowships, Knauss Fellowship stipends, traineeships, and research awards

Event Management

• Plan and coordinate logistics for conferences, meetings, workshops, and professional events, including securing vendor contracts, venue coordination, catering, audiovisual services, and lodging.
• Assist vendors and suppliers with registration in UGA Supplier system.
• Manage conference and course registration systems in PSO Connect, including enrollment inquiries, registration troubleshooting, general participant support, waitlists, mass email communications, invoicing, refunds, and revenue tracking for single-day and multi-day events.
• Work with registrants, vendors, speakers, sponsors, and department staff to support all aspects of conference-day operations, including on-site registration, onsite vendor coordination, and ensuring guests feel welcome

Whit Davis Elementary School, Athens, Georgia | 2017-2018.

- 5th Grade General Education Classroom Teacher.

Benefield Elementary School, Lawrenceville, Georgia | 2016-2017.

- Autism Spectrum Disorder Level IV Resource Teacher.

South Jackson Elementary School, Athens, Georgia | 2014-2016.

- Reading Aide, Grades 3-5.

Kate Sullivan Elementary School, Tallahassee, Florida | 2006-2014.

First Grade Classroom Teacher / Special Education Teacher.

Second Grade Classroom Teacher.

Kindergarten Classroom Teacher.

Special Education Resource Classroom Teacher.

• - Maintained student records, Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), assessment files, and confidential educational information with accuracy, organization, and compliance.
• - Reviewed data, tracked progress records, prepared reports, and shared findings to support planning, decision-making, and continuous improvement.
• - Coordinated with teachers, administrators, families, and multidisciplinary teams to address student needs, align priorities, and support timely follow-through on education plans.
• - Developed individualized plans, organized instructional resources, balanced competing priorities, and managed schedules and documentation in fast-paced settings.
• - Led parent and school meetings, communicated complex information clearly, and documented outcomes and follow-up actions.
• - Supported student success through individualized guidance, academic interventions, progress monitoring, and collaboration with support teams.
• - Used problem-solving, critical thinking, and sound judgment to address individual needs, resolve challenges, and provide data-informed recommendations.
• - Kept accurate records and handled sensitive information professionally while balancing multiple responsibilities and deadlines.
• - Adapted processes, plans, and communication approaches to meet diverse needs, shifting priorities, and organizational requirements.
• - Partnered across teams to support program implementation, evaluate outcomes, and deliver consistent services and resources.