Elizabeth A.

Thomas
26 E. Pearson, Chicago, IL 60611 | elizabethathomas91@gmail.com | 512.939.2424

Education

Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL Anticipated May 2017

Master of Education in Higher Education

DePaul University, Chicago, IL Graduated June 2013

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts, Minor in Media & Communication, Cum Laude

Higher Education Experience

Teaching Assistant December 2016-Present
Leadership Studies Minor, School of Education at Loyola University Chicago
Create weekly lesson plans with co-instructor to provide immersive and collaborative educational opportunities for 12
first-year students enrolled in the Bridge to Loyola program
Facilitate discussions and group activities surrounding topics in leadership theory, service-learning, and identity
development that cater to diverse learning styles
Encourage students to engage in critical reflection regarding their own leadership experiences and improve leadership
efficacy, primarily among students with marginalized identities

Academic Coach September 2015-Present

Center for Tutoring & Academic Excellence at Loyola University Chicago
Conduct weekly individualized meetings with students to foster the development of organizational, time management,
and study skills
Support first-year and transfer students throughout their transition to the university through goal setting, coursework
review, and course planning
Act as a referral agent by connecting students with other resources as needed within the Loyola community to ensure
successful transition and increase likelihood of retention

Graduate Hall Coordinator for Programming & Governance August 2016-December 2016
Office of Residence Life at Roosevelt University
Advised Wabash Community Council (WCC), Roosevelts residence hall council, on community building and social
and educational programming for a residential community of 200 undergraduate and graduate students
Recruited, selected, and provided ongoing leadership development for 5 WCC executive board members and nine floor
representatives
Designed and implemented a comprehensive hall council leadership training for the WCC executive board
Collaboratively hosted town hall forums to advocate for residential students living in the Wabash community
Assisted with the implementation of student development initiatives within the Office of Residence Life, including the
improvement of living-learning communities and providing continued development for 17 Resident Advisors
Created strategic learning outcomes used to assess departmental programming initiatives and budget allocation
Enforced university policies and created opportunities for student learning by hearing conduct cases for the Office of
Conduct & Conflict Resolution
Assessed and responded to on-call emergencies regarding mental health, facilities, interpersonal conflict, and other
crises for 250 residential students

NODA Intern June 2016-August 2016

New Student & Transition Programs at California Polytechnic State University
Created program assessment strategy and implementation plan to gather formal feedback from Student Life Orientation
Days attendees to be compiled into a report for the Vice President of Student Affairs
Executed 11 summer orientation sessions welcoming over 5,000 new students through immersive programming rooted
in institutional values
Collaborated with professional staff members to provide advising and supervision for 45 student leaders and gather
informal feedback from current student staff through one-on-one conversations
Served as the primary on-call staff for all orientation sessions, including supervising overnight student staff and
overseeing late-night programming
 Elizabeth A. Thomas

Graduate Assistant for Campus Life July 2015-June 2016

Office of Campus Life at Illinois Institute of Technology
Co-advised Union Board, IITs largest programming board, with the Director of Campus Life to plan and implement
weekly campus-wide events with a budget of $125,000
Met weekly with Union Board executive members to advise them with committee formation, meeting organization,
internal budget management, and program development
Advised WIIT, the on-campus radio station, and oversaw their programming and organizational initiatives
Strategized with WIITs station manager to improve recruitment, retention, and to develop and implement a
marketing/communication plan
Developed and presented semi-regular leadership workshops structured to improve students leadership skills and
strengthen relationships between Campus Life professional staff and IITs student body

Chicago Quarter Mentor March 2012-November 2012

Office of New Student and Family Engagement at DePaul University
Facilitated weekly discussions and ice-breaker activities with a classroom of 30 first-year students
Created and implemented lesson plans designed to ease students transitions into the university setting
Fostered relationships with students and served as a liaison between students and university resources

Marketing Coordinator May 2012-September 2012

Office of New Student and Family Engagement at DePaul University
Coordinated over 30 small and large-scale programs for university-wide Welcome Week to foster an inclusive
community for all incoming students
Created marketing materials, such as posters, banners, and handbills for all events using Abode Suite
Collaborated with Coordinator of Logistics to secure event locations, vendor participation, and entertainment

Orientation Coordinator October 2010-October 2011

Office of New Student and Family Engagement at DePaul University
Facilitated the recruitment, hiring, training, and continued development of 35 orientation and transition leaders
Supervised all aspects of planning and executing 13 summer orientation programs
Created weekly newsletters used to keep student staff informed of upcoming university events and program updates
Maintained orientation e-mail account, answering direct inquiries from parents, students, and campus partners

Additional Professional Experience

Administrative Assistant April 2014-July 2015
Jerome H. Meyer & Co.
Coordinated with the accounting and leasing departments to process new tenant applications
Collaborated with Head Property Manager to maintain constant correspondence with commercial tenants, residential
tenants, and condominium associations
Embodied company values and professionalism when greeting prospective and current residential and commercial
tenants

Conference Presentations
Carlson, A. & Thomas, E. (October 2015). Crises management in campus activities. Educational session presented at
the National Association for Campus Activities, Mid America Regional Conference, Grand Rapids, MI.
Canonaco, V., Mannella, P., Thomas, E., Weed, J. (February 2011). Walk a mile in someone elses shoes. Educational
session presented at the Association for Orientation, Transition & Retention in Higher Education, Region V
Conference, Moline, IL.

Professional Affiliations
NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education 2015-Present
Association for Orientation, Transition, & Retention in Higher Education (NODA) 2015-Present