Energetic professional with background in research, program management and evaluation. Skills include:
 Quantitative data analysis
 Microsoft Office Suite
 Project management
 Presentations and materials
 Program evaluation
 Qualitative research methods
RELATED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
6/2012-8/2012
Research Project Manager
- Managed research identifying community-specific health priorities. Applied organization and time
management skills to prepare and facilitate planning meetings, co-facilitate focus groups, and effectively
align University requirements with community response. Fostered communication and cooperation among
members of academic, resident, and service provider communities.
- Coordinated data analysis between the research team and residents: conducted data analysis trainings,
completed data collection and analysis using qualitative software, and presented findings to stakeholders.
VCU Center on Human Needs, Richmond, VA
2009-2011
Research Assistant
- Disseminated social indicator information through the Project on Societal Distress
(http://humanneeds.vcu.edu/PoSD.aspx), translating data findings to a general audience.
- Collected and analyzed indicator data to highlight social disparities, using online database queries and
secondary datasets. Created Excel charts to display data trends and frequencies visually.
ConnectRichmond, Richmond, VA
6/2009-8/2009
Project Manager
- Managed the update of online health information for the Greater Richmond metro area, via the
ConnectRichmond website. Planned and implemented focus groups, email-based inquiries, and a final
evaluation report with critique and recommendations. Partnered with members of the academic, professional
and government communities.
SunTrust Bank, Inc., Richmond, VA
11/2007-12/2008
Consumer Lending Specialist 3
- Researched and responded to inquiries disputing SunTrust credit reporting of customer loan and line of
credit accounts. Navigated internal and external databases and internet research sites to verify and correct
reporting information, if necessary. Provided related and additional customer service using phone calls,
mailing confirmation letters, and coordinating faxed requests from customers.
- Supported procedural developments in departmental policy change, and trained new employees.
- Position was a temporary contract to full-time hire.
United Way of Larimer County, Fort Collins, CO
2004-2007
Project Manager
- Analyzed and presented data via COMPASS of Larimer County (http://www.larimer.org/compass/).
- Designed and implemented a regional goal planning process: facilitated focus groups and mediated
cooperation among the philanthropic, service provider, professional and government communities.
- Provided technical assistance to program staff on evaluation. Conducted trainings on outcome development.
- Served as Local Chair for the regional disbursement of the federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program:
conducted planning meetings for the local leadership, developed Requests for Proposals, monitored
allocations, and reported performance to federal standards.
- Managed a school supplies program for local underserved youth: held planning meetings with leadership,
secured development resources, and developed community awareness action plans.
2
Research and Development Center, Fort Collins, CO
2003-2006
Research Assistant
- Produced a study on the effects of local elementary school choice. Research responsibilities included
producing a literature review, developing questions for focus groups and presenting findings to stakeholders.
- Conducted qualitative data analysis as a consultant, including qualitative survey response coding and writeups of findings.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Fort Collins, CO
2002-2003
Intern
- Created and implemented an evaluation of the program’s performance, whose findings later supported grant
efforts and provided additional legitimacy of the program in the community.
- Secured $25,000 in grant funds for a local rental assistance and homelessness prevention program.
- Conducted intake interviews with homeless or near homeless clients to assess eligibility for services,
managed the distribution of funds for rental assistance, provided referrals to other appropriate community
resources.
EDUCATION
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Master of Public Administration
December 2010
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
Bachelor of Art in Social Work
December 2003
HONORS AND RECOGNITION
Awards
- Wilder Scholars’ Fellow – Virginia Commonwealth University
- Commonwealth Award Scholarship – State Council of Higher Education in Virginia
- School of Social Work Scholarship – Colorado State University
- Harold and Sylvia Joy Scholarship – Colorado State University
- Dean’s Honor Roll – College of Applied Human Sciences, Colorado State University
2009-2010
2008
2003-2004
2003-2004
2002-2003
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Shears J, Lewis C, Furman R, Magee D, Scott M, Thompson C. African Americans living in social isolation:
Implications for social work practice. Social Justice in Context. 2007-2008; 3:68-79.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
PhD Education – doctoral coursework
-
8/2011 -12/2012
Qualitative analysis, experimental design, correlation and linear regression
PROFICIENCIES
 MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint
 SPSS
 Interviews
 Data presentation
 Group facilitation
 Online data query
WORKING KNOWLEDGE
 Adobe Acrobat
 Staff training
 Report writing
 Microsoft Outlook, Access
 NVivo qualitative software
 Grant writing and management