Simone Samuda
Port Richey,FL
Summary
To seek and maintain full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Academic Program Specialist
University of South Florida
06.2023 - Current
- Maintaining and updating student files and records for undergraduate and graduate students
- Conducting preliminary screening on student paperwork, and making appropriate student referrals
- Process course permits for undergraduate and graduate students
- Assist students with inquiries regarding their academic status
- Supports department or college recruitment and admissions process
- Prepare tuition waivers for processing
- Conducting graduation checks, and processing graduation applications
- Prepare offer letters for over 80 Graduate Assistant students
- Communicates with undergraduate and graduate students regarding academic program and course selection
- Schedules appointments and prepares student files for advising
- Enters information into BANNER/OASIS student database system
- Schedules conference rooms for students and faculty
- Process Change of Major forms, as well as course schedule change
- Supports student administration through assistance with course scheduling and working to circulate information on courses offered
- Organize and assist with events for the department
- Compiling prospective students applications through Archivum for the Program Director and committee for review
- Process admission decision for new applicants
- Process payroll through CERTS
- Coordinating office and proctoring schedules for Graduate
- Increased faculty engagement through proactive communication and collaborative planning of academic initiatives.
- Increased student satisfaction ratings through consistent delivery of high-quality educational experiences.
- Proactively addressed any potential issues or concerns related to the program, ensuring a smooth and successful implementation for all involved parties.
- Answered student inquiries and resolved problems related to curriculum and course prerequisites.
- Provided support and guidance to students experiencing academic and personal troubles.
- Mentored students, offering advice and support on topic selection, appropriateness and academic value.
- Helped students with initial adjustment to university academic life and interpreted institutions policies and requirements.
- Streamlined program administration by creating efficient processes for tracking student progress and outcomes.
- Optimized resource allocation by accurately forecasting program needs and managing budgets accordingly.
- Conducted academic advisement services for students on reoccurring basis to maintain educational progression.
- Consistently consulted with students to advise on topic selection, appropriateness and academic value.
- Met firm deadlines while applying results-driven and goal-oriented methodology to teaching initiatives.
- Created flyers to coordinate with perspective courses.
- Dual Role of Undergraduate Program Specialist and Graduate Program Specialist.
Client Service Representative/Student Services Support Specialist
Hillsborough Community College
01.2022 - 05.2023
- Process HCC admissions applications
- Review Florida residency for tuition purposes via DAVID
- Review incoming transcripts
- Assist students and faculty via phone and email
- Various data entry projects using Microsoft programs (i.e. Word, excel, OneDrive, etc.)
- Collaboration with other departments/campus for problem resolution
- Assist each student with term-by-term registration guidance in advance of upcoming terms, information on ordering books, and extensive details of course descriptions
- Assisted with preparation of annual commencement ceremony
- Proven ability to multitask, prioritize, and organize multiple high priority projects in an efficient and timely manner
- Verify and input data using Ellucian Colleague and Salesforce
- Primarily responsible for high school site dual enrollment operations
- Administrative support provided to assigned office(s) to ensure effective and efficient operations
- Timely processing of registrations
- Preparation of sensitive correspondence, reports, and other office support materials
- Processes and inputs grades, and various other forms associated with the Colleges registration procedure
- Monitor tracking for reconciliation purposes
- Performs office automation for technical documents, graphs/charts, and forms
- Responsible for initiating and carrying out a variety of ancillary and detailed duties as assigned
- General clerical support and word processing as needed
- Conducted high school visits touting benefits of HCC enrollment
- Thorough knowledge and experience with student information systems
- Provide information on academic requirements and processes
- Review of documentation for alignment with college requirements
- Determining eligibility for admittance
- Handled sensitive student information with discretion, ensuring confidentiality at all times.
- Maintained accurate record-keeping with proactive attention to student information updates.
- Ensured compliance with federal, state, and district policies by maintaining accurate records of student interventions and accommodations.
- Improved overall student performance with the use of data-driven progress monitoring tools.
- Streamlined application processes for faster response times and improved student satisfaction.
- Collaborated with academic departments to ensure accurate program information was provided to prospective students.
- Improved communication between departments by serving as a liaison between admissions, financial aid, and advising teams.
- Maintained accurate records of all interactions with prospective students, enabling informed decision-making on future recruitment strategies.
- Managed a caseload of applicants, guiding them through each stage of the enrollment process efficiently and professionally.
- Provided information and coordinated referrals for available programs.
Customer Service Representative
University of South Florida
06.2020 - 11.2021
- Provided assistance to current and prospective students via internal channels (phone/fax/email/mail)
- Verified and imputed student's data via OASIS and GEMS
- Applied departmental policies and procedures and state and local regulations to customer interactions and services, such as billing, payment processing, and dispute resolution
- Provided leadership, guidance and feedback using side by side coaching and call monitoring
- Liaised with other departments and third-party/vendors to facilitate claims resolution
- Addressed client concerns through conflict management and escalation procedures to provide for a better customer experience
- Created customer service focus groups to capture and implement new policies to increase customer satisfaction
- Mentored and coached new employees
- Managed high-stress situations effectively, maintaining professionalism under pressure while resolving disputes or conflicts.
- Actively listened to customers, handled concerns quickly and escalated major issues to supervisor.
- Answered constant flow of customer calls with minimal wait times.
- Updated account information to maintain customer records.
- Handled escalated calls efficiently, finding satisfactory resolutions for both customers and the company alike.
- Maintained detailed records of customer interactions, ensuring proper follow-up and resolution of issues.
- Developed customer service policies and procedures to meet and exceed industry service standards.
Education
Master of Science - Psychology
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL01.2025
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL04.2017
Skills
- Enrollment Management
- Academic advising
- Faculty Collaboration
- Higher education practices knowledge
- Excellent oral and written communication
- Administrative abilities
- Strategic Decision-Making
- Collaborative mindset
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Colleague, BANNER, DAVID, GEMS, Archivum, CERTS, DocuSign, Salesforce, Canvas, OASIS
- Student Registration
- Student Support
- Academic Monitoring
- College application assistance
- Documentation skills
Timeline
Academic Program Specialist
University of South Florida
06.2023 - Current
Client Service Representative/Student Services Support Specialist
Hillsborough Community College
01.2022 - 05.2023
Customer Service Representative
University of South Florida
06.2020 - 11.2021
Master of Science - Psychology
Saint Leo University
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Saint Leo University
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