Michael T. Simmons
Summary
Accomplished professional with a proven track record at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, adept in Microsoft Suite and Adobe Acrobat. Spearheaded innovative community investment projects, enhancing program efficiency by 30%. Skilled in fostering stakeholder consensus and delivering impactful educational programs, demonstrating exceptional leadership and analytical capabilities.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY INVESTMENT SPECIALIST
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Washington, DC
05.2022 - Current
- Led and managed multiple complex projects, fostering consensus among diverse stakeholders to achieve organizational objectives
- Developed and implemented project plans, tracked progress, and evaluated deliverables
- Oversaw contract management, program administration, and annual recapture processes, ensuring compliance and operational efficiency
- Develop reports to track ROSS program performance over various timelines, creating methodologies for analyzing future programmatic needs and ensuring proactive written communication
- Represented HUD at forums focused on community development and economic inclusion, effectively communicating complex information to diverse audiences
- Conducted research and analysis of directives, regulations, and administrative challenges, preparing comprehensive reports to inform decision-making
- Collaborated with OGC on legislative matters
- Provide technical guidance and problem resolution support to program officials, residents, property owners, management agents, lenders, citizen groups, and federal, state, and local government officials
- Formulate strategies aligned with HUD’s resources, business objectives, and capacity, advising leadership on policies, programs, and projects to ensure compliance with responsibilities and statutory requirements
- Offer technical expertise to HUD public housing managers and employees, optimizing policies, processes, and procedures while addressing issues with efficiency and sensitivity
SENIOR PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Rutgers University, Joseph C. Cornwall Center for Metropolitan Studies
Newark, NJ
07.2013 - 12.2021
- Partner with philanthropic foundations and community-based organizations to develop neighborhood revitalization projects that focused on equity, resiliency & sustainability, and social justice
- Plan and deliver virtual professional development presentation seminars with leading national and local practitioners on educational innovation, youth development, and race and gender equity and inclusion
- Manage funded projects to ensure compliance with grant requirements and Rutgers University Institutional Review Board (IRB) Human Subject Protection protocols
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR
New Jersey Scholarship and Transformative Education in Prisons
Newark, NJ
05.2016 - 08.2017
- Developed class curriculum and taught inmates at Northern State and East Jersey State Prisons in Rutgers’ Criminal Justice undergraduate program
- Delivered instruction, graded papers, and exams, and helped tutor students needing additional academic support
- Provide course instruction in accordance with learning objectives outlined by the Rutgers School of Criminal Justice and advance criminal justice reform initiatives
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Public Policy
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ05.2015
Master of Urban Studies -
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA05.1998
Bachelor of Arts -
University of South Carolina
Aiken, SC12.1994
Skills
- Microsoft Suite
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe InDesign
- NVivo
- STATA
Volunteer Experience
- Youth Mentor – Blue Nile Passage, Inc., Harlem, NY and Rites of Passage Program, Aiken, SC
- Academic Mentor – Old Dominion University
- Undergraduate Mentor – Rutgers-Newark Living and Learning Honors College
- Alfred Street Baptist Church – Men’s Ministry
Reports
- Simmons Michael., Etta Mahako. 2019. Untold Stories: Newark’s Burgeoning West African Population and the In-School Experiences of African Immigrant Youth
- Simmons, Michael, 2014. Trenton Housing Authority HOPE VI Annual Report
- Simmons, Michael, 2014. New Jersey Innovation and Expansion YouthBuild Preliminary Report
- Simmons, Michael, 2015. 21st Century La Casa After-school Program Evaluation
- Jagannathan, Radha; Camasso, Michael J. and Simmons, Michael, 2011. Evaluation of Newark Department of Health Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services for the Homeless Final Report on Program Year 2008-2011
Presentations
- Keys to Success, Managing Weed & Seed Programs, Weed & Seed National Conference, Philadelphia, PA 2000
- "Desistance from Crime, Understanding Why Individuals Stop Offending and How Can We Help Others Move Away from Crime," The American Society of Criminology, Nashville TN, November 2004
- Overcoming Life Challenges and Finding Success, Old Dominion University Black Male Summit, Norfolk VA, February 2004
- Newark GradNation Campaign: Expanding Pathways to High School Graduation, Newark, NJ 2015
- Forum on Youth Postsecondary Pathways and Opportunities Pathways to Youth Educational and Workforce Attainment in Newark, NJ, Accra, Ghana 2017
Timeline
NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY INVESTMENT SPECIALIST
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
05.2022 - Current
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR
New Jersey Scholarship and Transformative Education in Prisons
05.2016 - 08.2017
SENIOR PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Rutgers University, Joseph C. Cornwall Center for Metropolitan Studies
07.2013 - 12.2021
Doctor of Philosophy - Public Policy
Rutgers University
Master of Urban Studies -
Old Dominion University
Bachelor of Arts -
University of South Carolina
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