Alison N. Day

 

SUMMARY

 

Experienced education, marketing, public relations, and customer service professional - with specific experience in immigration regulations, international programming, and exchange programs. Able to manage a high volume of student and event coordination in a fast-paced environment. Excellent listening, oral, and written communication skills to successfully collaborate with offices, faculty, clubs, and international partners to promote programs and services. Currently a DSO, an ARO, an active member of NAFSA, and a trainer in the NAFSA Trainer Corps.

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SKILLS

 

• Knowledge of database management, International CRMs, and Sunapsis, PeopleSoft, Terra Dotta 

• Strong client, event management, and organization skills 

• Development of orientation sessions, re-entry workshops, presentations, and program guides

• Creative and energetic problem-solving skills

• Strong organizational and leadership skills

• Analytical thinker skilled at understanding federal regulations

• Advanced knowledge of social media: Facebook, Foursquare, Yelp, Twitter, Linkedin, Pinterest, Tumblr, SnapChat

• Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Photoshop, Databases

• Languages: French (4yrs) and Spanish (2yrs)

 

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Massachusetts Institute of Technology                                                                               Cambridge, MA

Assistant Director For Operations & Advising                                                                       Feb. 2021/Present

• Responsible for oversight and management of office operations and service interface with MIT’s international student community

• Leads, develops, and implements office operations improvements in all areas to increase efficiency and utilize up-to-date technology to enhance students’ advising experience and access

• Collaborates with the ISO SEVIS administrator to create, update, maintain, and enhance the integration of additional online documentation and technical tools for advising and regulatory mandates

• Serves as a senior international student advisor, advising both F-1 and J-1 students (and dependents) on a full range of regulatory and personal matters, including visa processing, maintenance of status, employment, academic issues, and personal, family, and health-related concerns; support an assigned advising cohort, including new and continuing graduate and post-degree students

• Supervises ISO operations staff positions

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Carnegie Mellon University                                                                                               Pittsburgh, PA

Assistant Director/Foreign Student & Scholar Advisor                                                           Jan 2018/Feb. 2021

Foreign Student and Scholar Advisor                                                                                  May 2016/Dec. 2017

• Provide guidance and direction to academic and service units, prospective and current employees, visiting scholars, and students on many aspects of immigration and labor laws that affect employment, legal, and tax status, including but not limited to: employment eligibility, change of status, transfer, travel, obtaining or re-validating a visa, passport requirements, academics, cultural adjustment, employment, financial concerns, health insurance, and general orientation to life in the U.S., and other issues. Help with the Study Abroad Fair in the fall, and the Study Abroad team as needed.  

• Help the office with functions related to: F-1, J-1, H-1B, O-1, E3, and TN visa documentation processes 

• Provide on-going coordination with university departments before and after student and scholar arrival 

• Handle program development and implementation, policy development, advocacy, and special projects 

• Establish/maintain leadership and rapport with university personnel, including department heads, faculty, & office managers, and I was voted to be a part of the CMU Staff Council team.  

• Help to manage all social media aspects for the Office of International Education, along with website maintenance

• Help to supervise student assistants

• Additional CMU Roles: DEI Committee, CMU Advisor's Committee, Tartan Scholars Mentor, and an elected member of the Carnegie Mellon Staff Council team

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"Alison is amazing. She is fast, efficient, and sharp. She keeps up with the students and is quick and eager in serving them thoroughly and efficiently. She is one step ahead and always ready. She thrives in a fast-paced environment and is calm and prepared even when thrown off track. She is my go-to colleague for all things technological—her knowledge is vast no matter the platform. She is incredibly valuable. I can always depend on her as a colleague and as a friend."

-Lindsay (Pelz) Luciano - Associate Director at CPDC (CMU). 

University of North Dakota                                                                                               Grand Forks, ND

International Student & Scholar Advisor                                                                          Apr. 2015/May 2016

• Managed all Office of International Programs (OIP) functions related to International Student and Scholar Services: F, J, M, H, O, E3, and TN visa documentation processes. Including submission of H-1B petitions to USCIS and the Department of Labor

• Provided guidance and direction to academic and service units, prospective and current employees, visiting scholars, and students on many aspects of immigration and labor laws that affect employment, legal and tax status, including but not limited to: employment eligibility, change of status, transfer, travel, obtaining or re-validating a visa, passport requirements, academics, cultural adjustment, employment, financial concerns, health insurance, and general orientation to life in the U.S.

• Managed all functions related to SEVIS maintenance, application processes, managing exchange partners and the IREX Exchange Program, along with all functions related to and the International Friends Program

• Established/maintained rapport with university personnel, including department heads, faculty, & office managers 

• Represented the interests and promoted the visibility of the UND international faculty and scholar population by serving on various campus committees (Staff Senate) and working groups 

• Managed all social media and marketing aspects for the Office of International Programs, along with website maintenance

• Supervised student assistants

 

"Thank you, Alison, for being a great co-worker and colleague. Your outgoing demeanor and engaging personality have been a great asset to the office that is high in introverts. You are, as well, a remarkable team player, and that is so key to the success of the office and your own personal success. Do know that I have seen you step up, take on some really tough challenges and an incredibly steep learning curve. And you have done well! Kudos to you!"

-Ray Lagasse - Director of the Office of International Programs (UND). 

 

California State University, Stanislaus                                                                                  Turlock, CA

• International Student Administrator (Temporary 6 Month Position)                                    Sep. 2014/Mar. 2015

• Provided essential frontline administrative support (greet, screen, and assess the needs of visitors and callers) by providing continuity and stability to the office and exceptional customer service as the first point of contact for students, visitors, and the campus community at large

• Organized events and international programming, while also managing the Study Abroad promotion and recruitment

• Under the direction of the Director or lead, communicated policies and procedures to new students

• Managed and updated office website and developed social media outlets for the office

• Demonstrated ability to interpret and communicate complex federal regulations and procedures pertaining to employment-based visa classifications, including H-1B, O-1, E-3, and TN, as well as the F-1, F-2, J-1, and J-2 student and exchange visitor visa classifications

 

"It is rare to come across someone as creative and driven as Alison; she is a true gem for any workplace! I had the pleasure of working with Alison within the Office of International Education at California State University, Stanislaus. Alison is an extremely motivated individual and she does not hesitate to jump in and help out in any way she can. She was an extremely quick learner and would take the initiative on any project given to her. Her skills within social media and marketing were an amazing asset to the CSU Stanislaus international office. Alison is also a warm and open individual, which is a must when working with students and making them feel at ease. She always has a smile on her face! Alison is a true asset to any team she joins."

-Laura Livermore - International Education Coordinator (CSU Stanislaus). 

 

Eastwick Communications                                                                                                Sunnyvale, CA

Account Coordinator                                                                                                        Oct. 2013/Sep. 2014  

• Delivered excellent client service while understanding clients’ business goals 

• Served as the organizational hub for account and team, developing effective PR pitches and identifying appropriate targets, while setting up and maintaining social media channels

• Managed team activities and tasks; lead internal team meetings and drove team to meet commitments and deadlines contribute to the success of the agency in a fast-paced environment

• Demonstrated willingness to take on new and different clients and assignments that stretch the limits of current knowledge and skills

 

Starbucks Coffee Company                                                                                                San Jose, CA

Shift Supervisor                                                                                                               May 2011/Oct. 2013 

• Managed day-to-day store operations while training and developing new employees

• Accountability for products, and inventory; including reporting, database management, and team operations

• Delegated tasks to provide legendary customer service while maintaining a clean store environment

 

EDUCATION

 

University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, U.K.

Masters of Arts: History (Dec. 2010)

Alison Day, British Female Travel Writers (San Francisco: Dragon Breath Publishing, 2012).

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University of Leeds, Leeds, U.K.

Masters of Arts: International Communications (Dec. 2006)

Alison Day, Real News: The development of news media in the United States and abroad.

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California State University Stanislaus, Turlock, CA.

Bachelors of Arts: History/Minor: Art History (June. 2005)

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*References Gladly Provided Upon Request*