Samantha Ascencio
Jersey City,NJ
Summary
Self-directed and resourceful Chief of Staff with 6+ years of experience successfully organizing, managing and delivering cross-functional projects. Influences and guides at executive-level while structuring and executing complex analyses to support strategy in fast-paced and evolving environment. Excellent influencer and relationship builder with growth mindset and strong communications skills to summarize and present community justice oriented topics effectively to wide audience.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Peer Success Coach
John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY
06.2019 - Current
- Assists a case load of 56+ students a semester in developing study skills strategies and provided individual consultation to all four years of students time through individual and group peer success coaching sessions.
- Managed persistent programming to support students in their transition from high school/community college into 4 year college environment and through graduation
- Made appropriate referrals to other departments and resources as necessary, both within and outside of the campus.
- Facilitated success workshops and study sessions for students.
- Conducted regular program assessments and evaluation to assure program goals are met
- Promoted SASP and college services on various social media channels.
- Manage all program administrative functions and track participant data including academic progress, college access outcomes, leadership, economic advancement and family involvement
- Provided support for distance learning through various resources and tech development during the COVD-19 Pandemic.
Director
CUNY BA Leadership Council
New York, NY
04.2020 - Current
- Collaborated with various teams to uncover issues, identify applicable solutions, and offer guidance.
- Maintained and updated project related documents.
- Coordinated budgeting, scheduling and resource allocation to facilitate smooth flow of operations.
- Worked with a budget $85,000+ to create merch, oral bids, contracts, and service requests for student stipends, student-led event workshop series, various educational events, and merch for students.
- Developed 5+ justice oriented mentorship program from ground up, laying out framework, and defining roles.
- Used monday.com, excel sheets, and Roberts Rules of Order/Parliamentary procedure to organzine weekly team meetings between various on-campus resource centers and CUNY-wide entities. Such as the LGBTQ+ center, CUNY LGBTQ+ Council, Office of Accessibility's, and more.
- Created, facilitated, and funded various educational and informative content and workshops across various platforms such as discord, Instagram, Whatsapp, zoom, and more.
- Worked on Constitutional changes, logo updates, branding guides, and press kits and worked as a copywriter for official club channels.
- Communicated regularly with stakeholders, updating on progress to build support for program.
- Negotiated program contracts and agreements to obtain cost-effective pricing.
- Developed and implemented program goals and objectives, establishing specific and measurable outcomes aligned with organization's overall mission.
Engagement Specialists
Buddies Of New Jersey
New York, NY
02.2023 - Current
- Greeted visitors entering the office, determined the nature and purpose of visit and directed them to the appropriate destination.
- Located and attached appropriate files to incoming correspondence requiring replies.
- Handled all incoming calls to the office and directed them where appropriate.
- Balanced employee availability, customer schedules, and maximum load levels when scheduling appointments.
- Operated multi-line telephone system to answer and direct high volume of calls.
- Facilitated social media practices to publicize corporate culture and support engagement projects.
- Delivered presentations to governing bodies, business groups and economic development forums to gain endorsements.
- Recommended updates to current legislation, regulations and policies.
- Helped conceive and oversee grassroots support or opposition for proposed changes.
- Investigated policies currently under discussion to assess impact on non profit industry.
- Drafted and presented reports outlining policy actions.
- Modified, updated and processed existing policies.
Founder & Director
Q'onnections
New York, NY
09.2020 - Current
- Created organization's mission and vision statements for use by employees.
- Scheduled and supervised staff meetings to discuss new ideas and update participants on program details and milestones.
- Supervised program staff, managing and evaluating performance provide high-quality services to program participants.
- Developed and maintained productive relations with local, state and federal stakeholders.
- Adhered to negotiated annual budget and spending requirements.
- Facilitated established training guidelines and curriculum for employee training.
- Participated in community events to promote services and engage with public.
- Advocated for social and community service programs to increase awareness and funding.
- Conducted outreach activities to engage local stakeholders in programs.
- Coordinated individual referrals to obtain community services, advocate for client needs and resolve roadblocks.
- Implemented strategies to increase public awareness of social and community service programs.
- Collaborated with community members to develop and implement service initiatives.
Chief of Staff
John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY
05.2019 - 06.2020
- Organized Vice-President’s schedule and attended various college-wide meetings in place of the Vice-President.
- Provided debriefs, meeting minutes, and agendas at the request of the Vice-President.
- Supervised staff and participated in hiring, training and performance evaluations to establish and enforce policies and procedures for organization functions.
- Attended meetings to make informed business decisions, provide administrative support and evaluate progress toward goals and objectives.
- Created programs and training to address Student Council cohort-specific needs and professionalism, such as time management and conflict resolution.
- Supported and oversaw the 12+ permanent committees of the Student Council conducted and developed interview processes for placement delegates into committees and voting positions as co-chair of the Permanent Student Representative Search Committee.
- Conducted outreach via email, text, phone calls, and memorandums with various administrative professionals such as the Vice-President, Dean of Students, etc.
Analyzed and conducted surveys using thematic analysis to understand student wants and needs to create proposals, events, and initiatives. - Performed financial and managerial analyses to evaluate data and make recommendations, prepare financial reports and projections and conduct presentations.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Reform & Social Activism And Innovation
CUNY Baccalaureate For Unique & Interdisciplinary
New YorkSkills
- Good Telephone Etiquette
- Organization and Time Management
- Multitasking Abilities
- Cultural Awareness
- Self-Motivated
- Featured in book "The New Classroom: A Practical Guide to the Future of Teaching and Learning" (Harvard U Press, August 2022)
Timeline
Engagement Specialists
Buddies Of New Jersey
02.2023 - Current
Founder & Director
Q'onnections
09.2020 - Current
Director
CUNY BA Leadership Council
04.2020 - Current
Peer Success Coach
John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
06.2019 - Current
Chief of Staff
John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
05.2019 - 06.2020
Bachelor of Arts - Reform & Social Activism And Innovation
CUNY Baccalaureate For Unique & Interdisciplinary
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