MITCHELL WATKINS II
Baltimore,MD
Summary
Results-driven communications specialist committed to delivering excellence in organizational outreach. Proven ability to develop and implement strategic communication plans that enhance engagement and foster relationships with diverse stakeholders. Expertise in crafting compelling messages that resonate with target audiences, ensuring clarity and impact. Passionate about leveraging innovative communication strategies to drive organizational success and community involvement. Knowledgeable Outreach Professional. Proven expertise in crafting compelling communication strategies and managing high-profile projects with precision. Demonstrated ability in delivering clear, concise messaging and fostering positive stakeholder relationships.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Communications Specialist - Office of Public Outreach (OPO)
Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI)
01.2007 - 2025
- Capitalize on the opportunity to lead forward-thinking communications within this Baltimore, MD-based institute, including driving all integral Astrophysics and Education & Public Outreach (EPO) initiatives.
- Spearhead results-centric programmatic and logistical information dissemination as a “go-to” liaison with external organizations. Coordinate, implement, and report engaging OPO events, exhibits, and programs.
- Actively respond to scheduled and impromptu events while supporting teleconferences, workshops, meetings, and conferences. Collaborate with teams to facilitate seamless outreach and education efforts.
- Gather, synthesize, and disseminate summaries of mission outreach and Astrophysics-themed educational programs, activities, and events. Provide support for virtual and face-to-face team meetings.
- Build and sustain mutually beneficial relationships among institute staff, stakeholders, vendors, and program managers, including high-profile NASA headquarters. Co-create outreach and briefing materials.
- Participate in local, regional, and national events to promote Space Telescope Science Institute's mission.
- Continually promote cooperative relations with OPO, planners, and stakeholders.
- Concurrently serve as Diversity & Inclusion Team Member and Safe Zone Member.
- Collaborate with OPO team and event organizers to plan and implement exhibit space.
- Liaise among teams to implement hands-on activities and multi-age interactive displays.
- Educate the science community, stakeholders, and public on Space Telescope Science Institute Astrophysics programs.
E/PO Specialist | Project Manager
Integrated Communications Technology
01.2004 - 01.2007
- Strategically steered government relations while promoting the study of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics using NASA’s Sun-Earth Connection to inspire next-generation scientists.
- Concurrently served as STP / LWS workshop project manager to lead all travel and participation of 26 participants across a five-day E/PO awareness workshop in Puerto Rico. Managed a $120,000 budget.
- Led an Upward Bound project that targeted first-generation / low-income Science and Math students in six states. Created and marketed “Max & the Space Weather Machine” educational game for K-4th Grade.
- Selected by management to present at the annual NASA Star Partners Conference (2004).
- Promoted integration and use of HPC Hardware for modeling / simulating a virtual world.
Insurance Representative (Roles Held Separately)
Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Company | Mega Life & Health Insurance Company
01.2002 - 01.2004
- Maximized bottom-line performance within the fast-paced insurance sales industry, including actively signing up policyholders while generating and following up on leads via leads generation techniques.
- Achieved $50,000 in new revenue annually via excellence in sales and business development.
General Manager | Sales Representative (Roles Held Separately)
Hollywood Forever Cemetery | Inglewood Park Cemetery
01.1998 - 01.2001
- Applied strong leadership talents toward directing all facets of cemetery operations, including driving sales, team building, administration, and maintenance across a 62-acre facility with eight building units.
- Optimized the use of labor resources by planning and prioritizing workflow among a top-performing team of 20 associates. Reported directly to the company’s COO to collaborate to achieve core objectives.
- Standardized, developed, and implemented key operational policies and procedures.
- Significantly improved efficiency while boosting team production by $250,000+ annually.
Project Manager
Futron Corporation
01.1996 - 01.1997
- Played a vital role in driving daily operations of an 18-member technical and service team supporting a $3.5-million contract. Conducted client needs analysis to determine functional requirements for NASA.
- Moderated a highly skilled senior-level process improvement team.
- Led regular meetings among Contract Officers’ Technical Representatives.
- Successfully developed and implemented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Corporate Communications
Notre Dame of Maryland University
Baltimore, MDUndergraduate Communications Studies
American University
Washington12-Month Dramatic Arts Program
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
Pasadena, CASkills
- Organizational Outreach
- Community Relations
- Communications
- Public Speaking
- Strategic Analysis / Planning
- Multi-Resource Assessment / Allocation
- Trends Tracking
- Program Management
- Brand Building
- Process Optimization
- Stakeholder / Partner Relations
- Multi-Project Management
- Team Building / Leadership
- Training / Coaching
- Budget Control
Accomplishments
Capitalize on the opportunity to lead forward-thinking communications within this Baltimore, MD-based institute, including driving all integral Astrophysics and Education & Public Outreach (EPO) initiatives.
Spearhead results-centric programmatic and logistical information dissemination as a "go-to" liaison with external organizations. Coordinate, implement, and report engaging OPO events, exhibits, and programs.
Actively respond to scheduled and impromptu events while supporting teleconferences, workshops, meetings, and conferences. Collaborate with teams to facilitate seamless outreach and education efforts.
Gather, synthesize, and disseminate summaries of mission outreach and Astrophysics-themed educational programs, activities, and events. Provide support for virtual and face-to-face team meetings.
Build and sustain mutually beneficial relationships among institute staff, stakeholders, vendors, and program/project managers, including high-profile NASA headquarters. Co-create outreach and briefing materials.
*Participate in local, regional, and national events to promote STScI's mission.
*Continually promote cooperative relations with OPO, planners, and stakeholders.
*Concurrently serve as Diversity & Inclusion Team Member and Safe Zone Member.
*Collaborate with OPO team and event organizers to plan and implement exhibit booth design and content.
*Liaise among teams to implement hands-on activities and multi-age interactive displays.
*Educated the science community, stakeholders, and public on STScI/Astrophysics programs.
Certification
Licensed Life & Health Producer
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Senior Communications Specialist - Office of Public Outreach (OPO)
Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI)
01.2007 - 2025
E/PO Specialist | Project Manager
Integrated Communications Technology
01.2004 - 01.2007
Insurance Representative (Roles Held Separately)
Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Company | Mega Life & Health Insurance Company
01.2002 - 01.2004
General Manager | Sales Representative (Roles Held Separately)
Hollywood Forever Cemetery | Inglewood Park Cemetery
01.1998 - 01.2001
Project Manager
Futron Corporation
01.1996 - 01.1997
Bachelor of Arts - Corporate Communications
Notre Dame of Maryland University
Undergraduate Communications Studies
American University
12-Month Dramatic Arts Program
American Academy of Dramatic Arts