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Professional Summary

Samantha–Nicole Terry has dedicated her life to public service. A highly motivated human services professional with over twenty-five years of political, youth development, and project management experience. Proven success at leading projects from conception to completion. A trusted team player can work with all levels of staff. Resourceful, ambitious, and able to work under tight deadlines to ensure project success.

Samantha has a Bachelor of Science in Management, and an Executive Master in Public Administration and is currently a candidate for a Doctorate in Human Services in Social and Community Services with a Specialization in Leadership and Organizational Management.

 

Accomplishments

  • Neighborhood Planning Unit University (NPU-U): Developed and implemented a program to empower and train community leaders, serving over 900 constituents through 12 courses.
     

  • NPU Constituent Ride Along: Created a program to foster collaboration between the community and the Department of Public Works (DPW) to address infrastructure concerns.
     

  • EMMY® Nominee: Co-produced the 2019 Southeast Regional EMMY®-nominated public service announcement "Voices Unheard."
     

  • Play Mobile Launch: Led the launch of Georgia's first Play Mobile for the City of Atlanta.
     

  • Board Membership and Presentations: Served as a Georgia Recreation and Parks Association Board of Trustee member and state conference presenter.
     

  • After-School Supper Program: Implemented an after-school supper program, making Atlanta the first municipality to offer it.
     

  • Grant Funding: Secured over $200,000 in grants from the Wal-Mart Foundation and Coca-Cola Foundation.
     

  • Youth Holiday Party: Co-chaired the 34th Annual Youth Holiday Party with the S.C.L.C. W.O.M.E.N.S. Coalition.
     

  • City Council Proclamation: Received recognition for Camp Best Friends programming.
     

  • Out-of-School Time Program: Implemented K-5 programs with certified teachers and educational software.
     

  • Freedom Schools Model: Introduced the CDF National Freedom Schools model at four sites, a first for any municipality.
     

  • Departmental Documentation: Developed key documents and marketing tools, contributing to the department’s CAPRA accreditation.
     

  • Men’s Leadership Camp: Partnered with Clifford “TIP” Harris to host a no-cost camp for 35 youth, awarding laptops to participants.
     

  • Teen Camp Collaboration: Partnered with Gulf Youth Action Coalition to host a no-cost camp for 150 teens.

Skills

Program Development Project Management Program Implementation Public Relations

Public Relations Event Planning Event Management Grant Writing

Nonprofit Social Media Development and Management Project Management Program Management

Analysis Non-profits Research Proposal Writing

Marketing Budget Management and Development

Public Policy Research, Implementation, and Development

Marketing Strategy Microsoft Office Adobe Creative Suite

Interpersonal Skills Public Speaking Customer Service Training

Management Community Development Leadership Development

Organizational Development Volunteer Management

Team Management Time Management Executive Management

Youth Development Youth Mentoring Community Engagement

Work Experience

October 2019 – Present

Program Manager | City of Atlanta

  • Neighborhood Planning Unit University (NPU-U): As the Education and Training Program Manager, I developed and implemented a program to empower community leaders through hands-on training and expert instruction, serving over 4,000 constituents with 39 courses.
     

  • Community Coordination: Facilitated coordination between city departments and quasi-public agencies, increasing awareness of the NPU system through grant administration, annual bylaws review, public participation plans, and dashboards.
     

  • Stakeholder Relationships: Built collaborative relationships with stakeholders, council members, and NPU officers to support community engagement and neighborhood development.

Dec 2017 – September 2019

Community Affairs Coordinator | City of Atlanta

  • NPU Constituent Ride Along: Researched, planned, and executed a program to foster partnerships between the community and DPW, addressing infrastructure challenges.
     

  • EMMY® Nominee: Co-produced the 2019 Southeast Regional EMMY®-nominated public service announcement "Voices Unheard."
     

  • Communication Liaison: Served as the liaison between DPW and 25 NPUs, developing messaging and responses to community concerns, and collaborating with City Council and Communications Director to improve public relations.
     

  • Event Coordination: Planned and executed community engagement meetings and special events, supporting the Communications Director in enhancing relationships with NPU leaders and associations.

Oct 2007 – Dec 2017

Program Director | City of Atlanta

  • Youth Programs: Managed and implemented programs for youth ages 5-18, including Camp Best Friends, Spring Break Camps, Atlanta Teen Leaders, Centers of Hope, and Play Mobile, overseeing a team of 200+ staff.
     

  • Resource Management: Provided resources and materials, organized special events, maintained relationships with schools, and executed recruitment and retention strategies.
     

  • Data and Reporting: Collected and analyzed program data, managed documentation, and represented the organization in meetings with stakeholders and partners.
     

  • Program Development: Created various handbooks, operational manuals, and marketing tools, contributing to the department's CAPRA accreditation.

Sep 2013 – Jan 2014

Recreation Branding Specialist | City of Atlanta 

  • Promotional Materials: Created promotional content to enhance departmental branding, using tools like Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite to design impactful presentations and collateral.
     

  • Collaborative Projects: Worked with executive and communications teams to develop media kits, infographics, and event materials, representing the Office of Recreation at community events and managing marketing materials.

Education

2017 - Current

Capella University 

Candidate for Doctorate of Human Services : 
Social and Community Services with a Specialization in Leadership and Organizational Management

2014 - 2016

Texas - Southern University 

Executive Masters of Public Administration

2009 - 2011

University of Phoenix 

Bachelors of Science in Management

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