Gemma Iva Smith

Experience

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  AFS Intercultural Programs USA

  Jun 2016 - Aug 2016

  US Department of State: National Security Language Initiative for Youth

  - Full government scholarship to study Hindi language and Indian culture intensively in Indore, India- Traveled to three Indian cities on weekend trips, participated in community service, lived with a host family, and experienced daily Indian life

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  Ramapo for Children

  Jun 2018 - Aug 2018

  Lead Counselor

  - Managed three other counselors and providing ongoing training, led team of counselors to create individualized Behavioral Intervention Plans for campers and establish bunk routines - Provided 24-hour care and support for six children with diverse social, emotional and learning challenges, including PTSD, trauma, emotional disturbance, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Oppositional Defiance Disorder- Completed educational certificate in nationally-recognized Ramapo approach to strategic therapeutic teaching for individuals with special needs Show less

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  Trinity University

  Aug 2018 - May 2021

  – Conducted cross-cultural research on early verb learning in preschool aged children and presented findings at the 45th Boston University Conference on Language Development in Fall 2020– Oversaw data collection at over five different school sites by creating and distributing consent forms, maintaining relationships with faculty and parents, and overseeing experiments– Designed stimuli, filmed, and edited footage for multiple online experiments on early verb learning – Managed website and social media platforms – Coordinated weekly schedules and ongoing training for twelve research assistants Show less - Led outdoor excursions and activities such as hiking, backpacking, and canoeing during weekends and holidays for university students - Managed social media outreach including weekly posts and updates on website- Served on interview board for hiring new leaders and coordinated full staff training for new hires- Maintained communication between student leaders and faculty advisor via weekly meetings- Trained wilderness first-aid and trip leader for day and overnight hiking and backpacking trips for university students, responsible for planning and executing trips Show less

  • Research Coordinator - Children's Research Lab

    Aug 2018 - May 2021

  • Outdoor Recreation and Social Media Manager

    Jan 2018 - May 2021

  • Student

    Aug 2017 - May 2021

  • Coalition for Sexual Justice

    Nov 2018 - Apr 2019

  • Peer Tutor - Social Justice First Year Seminar Class

    Aug 2018 - Dec 2018
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  Connections Individual and Family Services, Inc.

  May 2019 - Dec 2020

  Grant Writing and Administrative Support Intern

  - Wrote a federal grant application in collaboration with two mental health counselors which was awarded a $75,000 grant for a homeless shelter for youth- Assisted a team of Licensed Professional Counselors to organize client information, audit files, and update client information security system - Worked directly with youth in shelter, facilitating activities teaching life skills- Conducted research project during COVID-19 to determine how the pandemic has impacted the youth Connections serves, as well as the experience of being a counselor during this time Show less

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  University of Washington

  May 2020 - Aug 2020

  Research Assistant - Stereotypes, Identity, and Belonging Lab

  - Assisted in the creation of online experiments studying the psychological causes and consequences of inequality and discrimination in U.S. society- Spearheaded internal project on diversity in the lab, including analysis of cited authors and works, past and present demographics of research team, and collecting feedback from alumni about how to center diverse voices in social psychology research

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  Form communities

  Aug 2020 - May 2021

  Coordinator – Clubhouse Grows

  - Created website and managed social media accounts for a hydroponic farm unit at the San Antonio Clubhouse, a community center for adults with mental illness.- Contributed to a network of dedicated community partners fighting food insecurity by maintaining relationships with other non-profits in the San Antonio area who can benefit from our produce- Maintained relationships with members of the San Antonio Clubhouse community via daily wellness check-ins- Attended regular meetings for the Food Policy Council of San Antonio, and the Food Justice subcommittee, working to create a comprehensive guide/map of food pantries in the city Show less

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  University of Chicago

  Jul 2021 - now

  Lab Manager