Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Welcome to my page! I'm excited to connect with you and share a bit about myself. My name is Kyle Smith, and I'm a native of Detroit, Michigan, who came to Atlanta to expand and broaden my talents in the marketing industry. A 2024 Marketing graduate from Georgia State University with a degree focus in Brand and Customer Management. I bring over five years of experience in digital engagement, content creation, and program coordination. My interest in relationship-based marketing began during the pandemic when I hosted virtual team-building events and discovered the joy of connecting people through shared experiences. Since then, I’ve led social campaigns, produced branded content, and used data to drive community engagement. I’m passionate about creating strategies that help brands build trust and leave lasting impressions.
As the LEAD Program Coordinator, I am responsible for staying ahead of the curve on the latest leadership research and trends, enabling me to develop engaging program offerings that meet the evolving needs of our participants in the post-pandemic landscape. I also collect and analyze data to assess program outcomes and provide insightful feedback for improvement. My role also includes coordinating travel, lodging, and registration for student and staff retreats, local and national conferences, and events, while also overseeing targeted marketing campaigns using social media outreach, email newsletters, and advertising. I also take great pride in coaching and guiding student employees to support program operations, producing high-quality graphic design work, and curating program activities such as guest speaker webinars, online learning opportunities, and an upcoming virtual reality program. I am also responsible for planning and coordinating tabling events and establishing partnerships with relevant departments and organizations across campus to foster collaboration and maximize opportunities for program participants.
As a Program Coordinator for the RISE Program, I managed the lab placement selection process for students and research instructors, facilitated the interview and selection process for potential program applicants, and maintained the budget and orders for equipment, office supplies, and supplies needed for student labs and activities. I assisted students with developing individualized semester action plans and provided counseling on career, academic, and personal issues. I worked closely with the Program Director to assist with data collection activities and manage the storage of collected data required for NIH annual reports. I also developed and maintained the program's database of program participants and activities for reporting and tracking purposes. Additionally, I prepared data for program evaluation such as tracking the number of students completing laboratory projects, attending seminars, and alumni databases. I coordinated arrangements for student travel, lodging, and registration at national and local research conferences, and also managed the logistics for program activities including annual retreats, monthly community meetings, and weekly online support groups via Zoom.
As a Graduate Researcher during my Masters program, I was instrumental in driving the internal diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy at GTRI. With a people-first approach, I promoted equal opportunities for employees and the GTRI talent pool by contributing to multi-disciplinary projects aimed at creating inclusive communities and leadership development programming for underrepresented groups, women, and first-generation students in the STEM field. My role also involved researching policies and theories to innovate current diversity strategies and approaches, as well as co-facilitating an inclusiveness and equity summit to promote new approaches and educate the current workforce on Racial Battle Fatigue. In addition, I facilitated various workshops within laboratories on Cycle of Socialization and Liberation, effective communication, and personality assessments to foster strong relationships in laboratories. I co-created and researched scholarly STEM Diversity journals for a 5-Year Strategic Plan for the Diversity & Inclusion Division, and collaborated and coordinated with faculty, staff scientists, and fellow undergraduate and graduate students across departments on campus diversity programming. Through my work as a Graduate Researcher, I demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and the wider community. I am proud to have played a vital role in creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for underrepresented groups in the STEM field.
As an Administrative Assistant in a part-time role, I provided essential support to the office by performing a variety of administrative and clerical duties. This included mailing, scanning, faxing, copying, and filing documents, as well as maintaining both electronic and hard copy filing systems to ensure all records were up-to-date and easily accessible. In addition, I was responsible for opening, sorting, and distributing mail to various professionals in the office, ensuring that all communications were directed to the appropriate parties in a timely manner. I also answered phone calls and took messages for advisors, ensuring that all messages were delivered promptly and accurately. One of my key responsibilities in this role was assisting students with the financial aid process and answering general questions related to the office. I provided guidance and support to students, ensuring that they received the assistance they needed to navigate the complex financial aid process.