Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Accomplishments
Certification
References
Timeline
Generic

Liz Watson

Waimea,HI

Summary

Committed Director of Student Affairs with comprehensive experience in educational settings. Demonstrated ability to foster student engagement, and resolve complex student issues. Proficiency in strategic planning and team leadership that has consistently improved campus culture.

Notable impact on previous institutions through proactive development and student engagement with the end result of focusing on the social-emotional wellbeing of individual students. Driven by a passion for student advocacy, with strong belief that all students need to be seen and heard.

Culturally adept professional. Demonstrated strong respect for diverse cultures and ethnicities. Proven ability to navigate multicultural environments while fostering collaboration and understanding. Core competencies include intercultural communication, adaptability, and relationship building, aiming to leverage these strengths in a dynamic team setting.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Director of Student Affairs

Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy
Waimea, HI
08.2021 - Current
  • Primarily responsible for developing policy related to student conduct issues, mainly harassment, and sexual misconduct. Title IX Coordinator and connecting students to resources.
  • Collaborated on student crisis plans and primary for any sexual misconduct response.
  • Sat on the Student Administrative Hearings Committee for all student discipline issues. Perform student-on-student investigations to ensure adherence to school policies and procedures.
  • Organized informative orientations addressing multiple aspects of school life for parents and students.
  • Collaborated weekly with school counselors, nurses, academic office, learning support specialists, and residential life peers on the school's student success team to develop solutions for students facing educational, social-emotional, and/or medical challenges.
  • Planned and controlled budgets for student activities, the Student Life Center, and the student council, ensuring fiscal responsibility.
  • Recruited, trained, and supervised student leaders who facilitated various activities on campus.
  • Collaborated with students as a student council advisor to promote activities and assist in weekly assemblies.
  • Established proper handling of classified student data.
  • As needed, assisted the middle school (grades 6-9) with difficult harassment and/or sexual misconduct issues.
  • Developed and implemented student-centered programs, promoting school spirit. Primarily, HPA Olympics, Opening Days, and all student dances.
  • Provided guidance, support, and mentorship to students facing personal or academic challenges.
  • Worked closely with school counselors.to ensure the needs of students were met. In certain situations, was the lead between the parents, the student, and/or the school, often communicating very difficult news.
  • Managed multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining quality control and enrollment management standards.
  • Provided support and guidance to colleagues to maintain a collaborative work environment.

Dorm Faculty

Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy
Waimea, HI
08.2018 - Current
  • Ensured safety and care of residential students within a structured dormitory environment.
  • Collaborated with residential faculty to implement student life curriculum.
  • Provided letters of recommendation and other referrals to students pursuing further education programs or postgraduate employment.
  • Conducted regular room inspections to maintain health and well-being.

Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications

Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy
Waimea, HI
10.2017 - 08.2021
  • Oversaw the development and management of the schoolʻs website, ensuring it serves as an effective digital marketing tool.
  • Developed marketing plans to increase branding exposure and admission inquiries at all levels (K through 12).
  • Managed the annual marketing and communication budget.
  • Assisted with the Head of School's surveys and established classified data storage.
  • Planned advertising and designed campaigns for online, print, and other mediums.
  • Conducted research to identify key messages that resonated with target audiences. Oversaw the creation of marketing collateral, including brochures, presentations, and digital content.
  • Led all school crisis communications, including messaging, writing emails, media relations, and creating and maintaining detailed records to mitigate potential legal exposure.
  • Developed and implemented comprehensive communications plans to reach target audiences.
  • Guided brand identity standards to ensure uniformity across all communication pieces.
  • Supervised junior staff members in the planning and execution of promotional campaigns.
  • Collaborated with admissions to coordinate strategic marketing activities in various markets worldwide.
  • Interviewed and hired talented individuals to add value to the marketing team.
  • Utilized Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) to create visually appealing designs.

Communications Coordinator

St. John's-Ravenscourt School
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
01.2009 - 09.2017
  • Generated ideas for creative campaigns that drive brand awareness and engagement on multiple social media channels and online.
  • Played a key role in strategic marketing primarily aimed at middle school students, resulting in the highest number of applications and admissions in the school’s 200-year history.
  • Analyzed financial activities of the department to share budgetary input with managers and board members.
  • Maintained relationships with key members of the media, industry influencers and other external stakeholders.
  • Worked alongside a middle teacher to develop a curriculum for teaching marketing in the middle school. Led a program where middle school students showcased their marketing ideas and implemented them in the school's marketing materials.
  • Edited and proofread written material to ensure accuracy and clarity in message delivery, school wide.
  • Developed draft story angles, press releases, byline articles and marketing materials.
  • Worked with the advancement department to coordinate efforts for donor cultivation.
  • Primary yearbook editor and taught design and layout for the yearbook club, junior,middle, and senior school. Won national awards from a yearbook publisher.

Information Officer & Development Coordinator

University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
01.2005 - 01.2009
  • Coordinated large-scale events to engage with donors and provide presentations regarding fundraising initiatives.
  • Created communications materials such as newsletters, emails and appeal letters.
  • Created presentations showcasing impact of donations on program outcomes.
  • Managed fundraising communications, media interviews, press releases and media kits.
  • Created and managed the annual campaign.
  • Reported and prepared tax receipts for all gifts
  • Prepared the alumni magazine, graphics, writing, and printing.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Double Major; Classical History And History

University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Canada
06-2004

High School Diploma -

Kelvin High School
Winnipeg, Canada
06-1994

Skills

  • Student consultation through active listening and support
  • Strong in crisis management and public relations
  • Relationship-building and problem-solving aptitude
  • Accreditation compliance
  • Assist with institutional planning & knowledge
  • Literate in MacOS and PC, learn new programs with ease
  • Knowledge of Blackbaud's education and financial platform
  • Strong knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud, primarily InDesign, Photoshop, Acrobat, and Illustrator, with basic knowledge of Premiere Pro and Lightroom
  • Strong knowledge of Google Suite and Microsoft Office
  • Basic knowledge of HTML code

Affiliations

  • Photography
  • Graphic design
  • Travel and cultural exploration

Accomplishments

  • Recipient of the Outstanding Service Award - Board of Directors, St. Johnʻs-Ravenscourt School

Certification

  • LivingWorks Start certification, 2024 and 2016. In-person and online training in student suicide prevention.

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Director of Student Affairs

Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy
08.2021 - Current

Dorm Faculty

Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy
08.2018 - Current

Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications

Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy
10.2017 - 08.2021

Communications Coordinator

St. John's-Ravenscourt School
01.2009 - 09.2017

Information Officer & Development Coordinator

University of Manitoba
01.2005 - 01.2009

Bachelor of Arts - Double Major; Classical History And History

University of Manitoba

High School Diploma -

Kelvin High School

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