MELINA CHARIS

Contact me: melina.charis@gmail.com

Education
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs Masters of Education, Expected 2018
Assessment Certified

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA Bachelor of Arts, 2014
Major: English (Creative Writing emphasis), Minor: Psychology
Trustee Scholar (full tuition merit-based scholarship) Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude

Work Experience
Womens Leadership Graduate Intern, Mount Saint Marys University
Los Angeles, CA August 2017 Present
Assist the Director and Associate Director of Women's Leadership with the development, planning, and coordination of student leadership programs
Work closely with the Associate Director to support the Student Government Association (SGA), Student Activit ies Council (SAC) and the
university's chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) through leadership workshops, retreats, and on -going mentoring
Assist the Associate Director in planning Orientation programs (transfer and first year)
Conduct research related to programs and services to support departmental objectives for Strategic Plan initiatives

Program Coordinator, USC Bovard Scholars

Los Angeles, CA May 2017 July 2017
Helped the Senior Manager develop, enhance, and review the curriculum for the inaugural year of the Bovard Scholars program
Researched best practices and created assessments that students used to evaluate the programs curriculum, objectives, and effectiveness
Served as the primary liaison between students and the program; advised students on various aspects of the program prior to t heir arrival
Performed various administrative tasks such as coordinating students flights, required forms and health insurance; worked extensively with Excel

Teaching Assistant, USC Bovard Scholars

Los Angeles, CA July 2017 August 2017
Delivered comprehensive college prep curriculum to a group of 10 low-income high school rising seniors for the duration of the 3-week program
Collaborated with a seasoned college counselor to lesson plan and individualize the curriculum to our group of 10 students
Led presentations and group facilitation sessions for the students on the college application process, leadership development, and career goals
Advised the students individually on college applications, financial aid, essays, and career goals; developed a close relationship with each student

Academic Coach, USC Kortschak Center for Learning and Creativity

Los Angeles, CA August 2016 Present
Coach 11 undergraduate students in weekly one-on-one sessions on areas related to time management, stress management, and study skills
Researched and created original content for an online workshop on creating a unique and personalized self-care plan for college students
Categorized and analyzed end-of-semester and mid-semester assessment data and created an executive summary and report

Graduate Intern, UCI+One Program December 2016 May 2017

Audited the programs Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), evaluated content, researched and created additional content, created assessments
Created a mid-point and exit assessment for the monthly Lunch and Learn series; analyzed assessment data; created curriculum and content
Communicate with other interns to evaluate and collaborate on various projects; assisted at various program recruitment events

English Teacher and Teach for America Corps Member, PUC Triumph Charter High School
Sylmar, CA July 2014 December 2015
Taught a self-created curriculum that includes reading, writing, and speaking and listening skills to 120 students in grades 9 through 11
Increased approximately 85 tenth and eleventh grade students proficiency rates in English Language on a school -administered standardized exam
from 54% to 91% during the 2014-2015 school year
Frequently communicated with students parents about student progress; attend various weeknight parent meetings and administer both parent
conferences as well as student-led conferences to foster parent engagement and sense of community

Orientation Advisor, University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA December 2011 January 2013
Led groups of 16-30 students (freshman, transfer, and international) in discussions about campus life during 16 orientation sessions
Addressed the questions and concerns of students, parents, and staff on panels and at various events
Wrote and directed the 26 Orientation Advisors in a 45-minute skit about life at USC, which was performed for 2,900 students