TraQuana Smith
Summary
Driven by the belief in the power of individuals to create meaningful change, I am a Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) with a robust background in college residence life and a passion for social advocacy. With professional experience in fostering communities within educational settings, I bring a unique blend of skills and perspectives to every endeavor.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Complex Director
Lamar University
07.2023 - Current
- Train, supervise, motivate, and evaluate staff of Resident Assistants (RAs) and a staff of Desk Assistants (DAs)
- Coordinate weekly staff meetings with RAs at which information is communicated, ongoing training is offered, and team-building opportunities are provided
- Conduct weekly or bi-weekly one-on-one meetings with RAs
- Coordinate monthly all-staff in-services in conjunction with other professional staff
- Monitor and maintain an in-hall duty rotation system
- Oversee the management of a programming budget
- Assist in the recruitment and selection of new student staff
- Empower RA staff to resolve roommate conflicts, serving as a resource in the establishment of roommate contract agreements to mediate conflict
- Monitor and provide support and guidance in the implementation of a programming model put forth by the Office of Residence Life
- Support the mission of the Office of Residence Life through purposeful programming initiatives
- Support the academic mission of Lamar University
- Attend and support hall programs, maintaining visibility throughout the hall community
- Advise and develop leadership skills of Community Council (student organization)
- Serve on a professional and para-professional 24-hour on-call rotation for emergency situations that arise after-hours, weekends, including some holidays
- Use departmental protocol to respond to crisis or emergency situations which includes providing guidance to paraprofessional staff, parents, and students.
Coordinator for Student Life
Louisiana State University Eunice
08.2021 - 07.2023
- Establish and monitor office schedule for resident assistants to work office hours
- Train, supervise, and motivate resident assistants to ensure competency in carrying out basic office management functions with outstanding customer service
- Maintain accurate and organized key and paperwork filing systems
- Facilitate monthly health and wellness inspections conducted by RA staff and enforce policy and health/safety violations
- Advise the Campus Activities Board and provide a comprehensive schedule of campus activities throughout the fall and spring semesters
- Establish programming goals and oversee the development and assessment of learning outcomes for each program that contribute to the mission of the Division of Student Affairs
- Track achievement of programming efforts, ensuring adherence to the programming model
- Advise and support both RAs and CAB in building community through both active and passive programming initiatives
- Host bi-weekly RA staff meetings and in-service trainings to provide ongoing team building and staff development throughout the year and to address issues in performance that may arise
- Host monthly one-on-one meetings with each RA to discuss performance and development
- Plan and facilitate pre-service RA trainings prior to each Fall and Spring semesters
- Adjudicate first offense and lower-level student conduct cases as assigned by the Chief Student Conduct Officer for violations of the Living on Campus Handbook and the Code of Student Conduct that occur within the community
- Serve on an on-call rotation split between this position, the Director, and the Dean of Students, following proper incident response protocols when responding to after-hour and weekend emergencies
- Be the collaborative liaison between campus partners and the RA staff members when needed
- Manage a programming and staff development budget as established by the Director and Dean of Students at the beginning of each academic year.
MSSW Intern
Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston
12.2020 - 05.2021
- Assessed discharge plans and needs upon arrival and met with the interdisciplinary team daily
- Co-facilitated CBT groups on stress management
- Provided case management to high-acuity patients that are living with chronic mental illness in an acute psychiatric unit
- Provided counseling to veterans and families about mental health, advance directives, and other social service concerns.
Graduate Assistant for Student Engagement and Special Projects
The University of Texas at Austin
08.2019 - 08.2020
- Assist with the implementation and development of initiatives that support first-generation and off-campus students
- Work on special projects for the Assistant Vice President for University Housing and Dining
- Develop promotional and training materials for student leaders
- Present small and large-scale programs, activities, and trainings for students and staff
- Host two large-scale signature programs over the course of the academic year
- Serve on departmental committees and special work groups to collaborate on UHD goals and initiatives
- Participate in departmental/divisional training and development activities, as appropriate
- Present on trends, issues, and promising practices in higher education and student affairs, particularly as it relates to: first-generation students, programming for upperclassmen, and student leadership
- Perform other duties as assigned.
MSSW Intern
SAFE Austin
09.2019 - 05.2020
- Support students in achieving academic and social goals by providing basic case management
- Co-facilitate weekly psychoeducational classes on healthy relationships, safer sexuality, and self-advocacy for 18- to 22-year-old students with intellectual and developmental disabilities enrolled in public school districts
- Support students in obtaining academic and career goals by providing basic case management
- Meet with students individually to determine goals for the course.
President
University Residence Hall Association
05.2018 - 06.2019
- Oversee 4 Executive Board Members and 16 Senators
- Lead General and Executive Board Meetings
- Serve as the official liaison to other campus and community organizations
- Serve as the organization's representative at regional and national conferences
- Meet with the Assistant Vice President of University Housing and Dining (UHD), the President of the Resident Assistant Association (RAA), and the Chair of the Tenant Advisory Board (TAB) to discuss organizational, division, and university updates
- Manage four different budgets totaling approximately $85,000 for organizational programming, residence hall council programming, membership development, and organizational operations
- Assist UHD in obtaining the goals outlined in their strategic plan
- Act as an Advisor for the Leadership Conference Assistants (LCAs)
- Serve as the sole student representative for UHD on the Executive Director of Housing and Dining Search Committee.
YouthBuild Counseling Intern
American YouthWorks
01.2019 - 05.2019
- Support students in obtaining academic and career goals by providing basic case management
- Assist with recruiting and intake of court involved youth
- Co-facilitate group sessions focusing on financial literacy, stress relief and substance abuse.
Sales Associate
University Co-op
08.2017 - 02.2019
- Operate cash register and other operational duties such as pricing, merchandising, and maximizing visual standards
- Aide in managing Help Desk with a focus on graduation assistance for UTAustin students.
Summer Camp Counselor
GeoFORCE Texas
05.2016 - 08.2017
- Increased participant safety by ensuring student awareness of surroundings and environment
- Serve as an academic and professional mentor for students
- Insured group progress on goals for completing a geology poster based on college level field work.
ULN Intern
Student Success Initiatives
08.2016 - 05.2017
- Manage appointments for the Student Success Iniatives (SSI) Team
- Work with SSI Team on updating the MYUTexas website
- Work directly with the SSI Team and other Student Associates to create a positive office environment for prospective students, current students, alumni, faculty, and staff
- Assist the SSI Team with any special projects.
Education
Master of Social Work - MSW - Social Work
The University of Texas at Austin
08.2021
Bachelor of Social Work - Social Work
The University of Texas at Austin
01.2019
High school diploma - Legal Studies, General
High School for Law And Justice
01.2015
Skills
- Community Building
- Strategic Planning
- Data Analysis
- Staff Training and Development
- Operations Management
- Organizational Development
- Corporate Communications
Certification
Microsoft Office 2013
Personal Information
Title: Higher Education Social Worker
Awards
Posse Foundation Full-Tuition Leadership Scholarship
Timeline
Complex Director
Lamar University
07.2023 - Current
Coordinator for Student Life
Louisiana State University Eunice
08.2021 - 07.2023
MSSW Intern
Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston
12.2020 - 05.2021
MSSW Intern
SAFE Austin
09.2019 - 05.2020
Graduate Assistant for Student Engagement and Special Projects
The University of Texas at Austin
08.2019 - 08.2020
YouthBuild Counseling Intern
American YouthWorks
01.2019 - 05.2019
President
University Residence Hall Association
05.2018 - 06.2019
Sales Associate
University Co-op
08.2017 - 02.2019
ULN Intern
Student Success Initiatives
08.2016 - 05.2017
Summer Camp Counselor
GeoFORCE Texas
05.2016 - 08.2017
Master of Social Work - MSW - Social Work
The University of Texas at Austin
Bachelor of Social Work - Social Work
The University of Texas at Austin
High school diploma - Legal Studies, General
High School for Law And Justice
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