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Career

Director, Student Support

University of New England

College of Graduate and Professional Studies

Portland, Maine

2017-Current

  • Contributes to the overall vision and goals for online learning at UNE.

  • Supervises and manages student support team.

  • Responsible for retention metrics leading to revenue.

  • Collects and analyzes data to assess the retention plan on a quarterly basis, evaluates results and recommends changes in communication strategies.

  • Works collaboratively with the Enrollment and Marketing teams to develop and implement a strategic retention plan that fulfills core retention strategies and initiatives.

  • Facilitates on-going, professional development training for all Support team members.

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Assistant Director, Student Support 

University of New England

College of Graduate and Professional Studies
Portland, Maine

2015-2017​​​

  • Salesforce CRM implementation team member.

  • Conducts an on-going assessment of retention activities to ensure that retention goals are met each term.

  • Monitors Student Support Specialists for overall progress toward meeting individual targets and proper use of CRM tool.

  • Provides ongoing feedback and coaching on required skills to improve results.

  • Provide quality and professional written and verbal communication.

  • Collaborate with University offices including academic departments, admissions, financial aid, student accounts, and registrar.

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Student Support Specialist

University of New England, Online Worldwide Learning

Portland, Maine

2012 – 2015

  • Senior Student Support Specialist (2014-2015)

  • Develops and manages communications plans for online, distance-education students

  • Advises online, distance-education students in course and program planning

  • Serves as a liaison between online, distance-education students and the university


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Communication Specialist

Griffin‐Spalding County School System 

Griffin, Georgia

2005 ‐ 2012

  • Strategic Public Relations: communication planning, publication and press release writing, website content development and management, social media strategy and management, radio show planning, recording and live broadcasting, public speaking, photography, event planning, presentation preparation for executive leadership, researching and responding to stakeholder  and media inquires, developing and fostering relationships between the school district and stakeholders.

  • Internal Communications: planning, writing, designing, and distributing weekly electronic employee newsletter, the gscs Communicator, to approximately 1,500 recipients.

  • Crisis Response Team, Communications Group: Prepare and disseminate key messages for employees, operate emergency telephone notification system, manage district website and social media messages, manage and respond to mass media inquiries.

  • Ex‐officio board member to Griffin‐Spalding Partners in Education and the Griffin‐Spalding Education Foundation: Board communications, planned giving, record keeping, project management, website content development, event planning and fundraising.

  • Advisory Member, Spalding For Schools 2012 $30 million Education Special Purpose Local‐Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) Referendum Committee. (The ESPLOST passed on March 6, 2012.)

 

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Education:

Masters of Arts in Communication & Leadership Studies 

Lambda Pi Eta, National Honor 
Society for Communication 
4.0 GPA

Thesis: An investigation of computer-
   mediated communication in the 
   online student experience

Gonzaga University

Spokane, Washington

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Professional Certificate, Marketing Strategy for Business Leaders

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York

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BGS: Communication, Music, & Political Science
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, Georgia      

Communication is her strength! She is a clear communicator, and always keeping me and her peers abreast of issues and/or concerns. Elizabeth is incredibly dependable, always with a positive attitude even in challenging situations. I appreciate her initiative to tackle challenging conversations head on.

        -Michelle Littlefield, MBA

         Director, Finance & Administration

         CGPS, University of New England

Elizabeth seems to possess an innate understanding of rhetorical nuance as well as affective appeals' power to influence or alarm. She is able to create consistent messaging for her staff and for our students, and is able to shape that messaging to best achieve the organization's goals.

        -Richard Parent, PhD

         Director, Assessment

         CGPS, University of New England

Thank you for all of your hard work above & beyond the call of duty on ESPLOST VI. You always approach situations with a positive attitude, even when many times the environment is anything but positive. Great job!

        -James Westbury, Jr., MBA, JD

        Griffin-Spalding Board of Education

          

Elizabeth was the most conscientious, thoughtful, and capable assistant I've ever worked with. Because she truly believed in the benefits of study abroad for students' educations, she was a tireless advocate for our study abroad programs. I especially appreciated her calm demeanor and ability to determine which projects were a top priority during times of stress and/or crisis.

            -Jill Clemmons, MPA

             Former Assistant Director of 

             Academic Programs

             European Council of Georgia

CP Internship

Walt Disney World Resort

Quick Service Food and Beverage Division – Epcot

Lake Buena Vista, Florida

2004 ‐ 2005

  • Provided guest service in the food and beverage division by assisting guests of Walt Disney World Resort in any manner needed such as information, guest service recovery, and special dietary needs.

  • Performed as a team member in all food and beverage division functions including cast training, cash flow, meal preparation, stocking and inventory.

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Office Assistant 

European Council of Georgia & the Center for International Programs
University System of Georgia & Valdosta State University
2002 – 2004  
Valdosta, Georgia

  • Performed on-site office duties and served as dormitory resident assistant for the London 2003 program, at the University of Roehampton, London. 

  • Recruited university students for international educational programs in London, Paris, and St. Petersburg, Russia.

  • Oriented students to rules, expectations, travel and cultural concerns for the London, Paris, and St. Petersburg programs at pre-departure conference in Macon, Georgia.

  • Publication, presentation, and website design.

  • Responsible for production of ISIC (Identification cards)

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Operations Manager (2003-2004)
Concert Coordinator (2002-2003)

Valdosta Symphony Orchestra

Valdosta, Georgia

2003 – 2004

  • Stage manager. 

  • Controlled timing of concert programs including live television broadcasts.

  • Assisted visiting artists.

  • Supervised equipment transportation for destination concerts.

  • Coordinated ushers and assisted with sound and video recording.

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Elizabeth is a customer service professional with a can-do sense of problem solving. She continually works for ways to improve the guest experience. Elizabeth is attentive and deliberate, always focused on her role and her guests. It was a pleasure to work with Elizabeth each day. I would solidly recommend her for any customer-service oriented role.

          -Maria Strickland

           Former Manager
           Walt Disney World Resort

Elizabeth's high standard for achievement would allow her to succeed in anything she would tackle.
           -Deborah Taylor, MPH
            Graduate, UNE
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