Ashley Simmons, M.Ed,CSM

Experience

• 

  A Sassy Woman

  Feb 2011 - Feb 2016

  Editor in Chief for ASassyWoman.com

  •Wrote feature articles on a myriad of topics including fashion, beauty, health and wellness (or balance)•Created posts covering weekly local events, celebrity news and community service initiatives •Planned, designed and implemented a marketing campaign using social media, webs, and other digital tools for each client to attract customers• Brands worked with include: 1-800-Contacts, Kohl's, Target, Pantene Pro-V, DeliverLean, A Healthy Meal Plan Delivery, and more

• 

  Florida Atlantic University

  Feb 2015 - May 2015

  • Scheduled events for approximately 300 student organizations and 10 departments• Coordinated room and personnel logistics for internal and external clients• Planned, organized, and facilitated meetings with clients to provide optimal customer service and client satisfaction• Supervised six undergraduate students who manage the event planning front desk• Assessed the productivity of student activities by using an event planning tool• Worked closely with Chartwells Catering and FAU Parking services• Provided ongoing assistance to Student Union Productions (SUP), with budgeting, program development and planning Show less

  • Graduate Assistant for Event Planning

    May 2014 - May 2015

  • Graduate Intern for University Advising Services

    Feb 2015 - Apr 2015
• 

  Florida Atlantic University

  Oct 2015 - Jun 2017

  Assistant Director, Campus Life

  • Chaired the Annual Broward Achievement Awards that highlights students, staff and faculty committed to serving students• Coordinated in planning and implementing activities and programs for students on the Broward Campuses (Davie, Dania Beach, and Ft. Lauderdale) • Advised and oversaw primary functions for Broward Program Board, Council of Student Organizations, Multicultural Affairs, Homecoming Initiatives, Weeks of Welcome and University wide programming • Oversaw and managed a budget of $136,249 for Broward Program Board• Assisted with seminars in leadership development, team building, financial responsibility and community outreach• Supervised two campus life student staff members who help organize registration for transfer orientation • Collaborated with Boca Raton campus with training or advising in areas of student programming• Oversaw contract management and negotiation as it pertains to Broward Programming • Enhanced educational, social, and cultural development of students on FAU Broward Campuses through assessment of programs, student employment and volunteer opportunities Show less

• 

  University of Tennessee

  Jul 2017 - Jul 2019

  Assistant Director, Multicultural Student Life

  • Led a team of 14 to organize an annual diversity, equity, and inclusion conference two years in a row; Through innovative marketing strategies attendance rose 60% in comparison to the first year that I chaired the conference • Served as lead project manager on assigned events and facilitate all event logistics and planning per event communication and planning timelines• Designed and executed a three day immersive academic excursion to Washington D.C for learners, which included collaborating with community partners, budget management, project management, grant-writing, and curriculum development. • Efficiently lead a professional staff member and graduate student • Directly advised, recruited, and retained students for two first-year programs such as, the Multicultural Mentoring Program (MMP) and Living-Learning Community • Efficiently lead a professional staff member and graduate student • Co-instructed educational leadership courses specific to peer mentoring, engagement, retention, and success of underrepresented first-year student populations• Guided and directed a team of 50 peer mentors yearly, through strategic leadership, supervision, and evaluation Show less

• 

  Drexel University

  Jul 2019 - Jul 2022

  Associate Director for Strategic Partnerships

  • Onboard and supervise 150+ University enrollment staff, including front desk Engagement Coordinators as well as manage operations of University Visit Center • Analyze and organize Campus Tour Audit data to enhance visit experience for university guests• Liaise with 12+ academics college/school units to augment their strategic enrollment plans through in-person information sessions and virtual offerings, contributing to a 32% retention rate of new learners from the past year• Formalize and launch strategic operational changes & improvements for university marketing, communications, and events office to establish new efficiencies, bolster enrollment and yield numbers annually, increase retention, and create university culture dedicated to student success• Collaborate with key partners to develop and design a student portal to better streamline the process for registration, events, and social media for enrollment management student staff • Delegate appropriate tasks to supervisees based off customer service data and feedback• Construct and fulfill individualized visit experiences for VIP and distinguished University guests• Collaborate with the Communications and Marketing team to develop enrollment marketing and student success communications materials• Serve on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee to provide a space for Drexel students, faculty, and staff to find their communities and use their voices to build a more equitable university Show less

• 

  Pearson

  Jul 2022 - now

  Project Manager