Allison Lerner seeks a position that utilizes her skills in writing, event planning, and community outreach. She holds a Bachelor's degree in English from Christopher Newport University where she gained professional experience coordinating mentorship programs and expanding nonprofit outreach. Currently she works as an AmeriCorps Vista expanding Big Brothers Big Sisters capacity while previously supporting sexual assault nonprofits and founding a campus awareness club.
1. ALLISON LERNER
104B Camden Way ● Yorktown, VA 23693
(434) 906- 5743 ● allisonrlerner@gmail.com
EDUCATION
Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA Graduation – May 2013
Bachelor of Arts in English - Writing Major, Minors in Leadership and Women & Gender Studies
Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society and Service Distinction (completed 140+ hours of community service).
Presidents Leadership Program: Attended events, speakers, and classes centered on the practice of leadership.
Writing for Civic Engagement: Wrote press releases, grant proposals, and other business oriented compositions.
Advanced Creative Writing Workshop: Created a portfolio with a semester long focus on editing and rewriting.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Program Coordinator - Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater VAPeninsula (AmeriCorps Vista) May 2014- Current
Expand capacity for Big Brothers and Big Sisters to take on a larger case load of mentor matches in the area.
Coordinate one-on-one mentorships between elementary and middle school students with community members.
Interview parents, children, and volunteers to be matched for mentoring.
Work with guidance counselors, students, and volunteers to facilitate healthy and sustainable matches.
Manage social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) to include design and written content.
Plan and coordinate Orientation Programs for incoming parents, children, and volunteers.
Created the first program newsletter, edit documents, and help in grant writing.
Campus Programs Intern - Fear2Freedom August 2012 – May 2013
Support nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness of sexual assault, domestic violence, and sex trafficking.
Expanded CNU campus program that connected with Riverside Hospital to provide supplies (such as clothing
and toiletries) to sexual assault survivors coming into the hospital.
Kept stock and inventory of donated and purchased supplies.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Chair of Culture and Lecture Committee - Campus Activities Board August 2012 – May 2013
Contacted speakers to bring to the campus and continuously kept in touch with them via email and phone.
Ran a committee and worked with an approximately $13,000 budget to plan, run, and market events and in
doing so increased turn out to committee's events by roughly 40%.
Attended National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) Conference in which we met with new agents
and performers to bring to campus and went to workshops on marketing, event planning, and communication.
President - Where is the Line at Christopher Newport University January 2012 – May 2013
Founded this club at CNU by writing a constitution and getting it approved and implemented on campus.
Created the first annual Shadow Event in which students anonymously shared their stories of assault with their
peers in an effort to bring awareness and healing.
Oversaw executive and general board meeting of up to 30 people to plan events and discuss cultural issues.
Secretary - Ladies Adding Distinction in Every Stride (LADIES) August 2011 – May 2012
Took detailed meeting minutes and worked with the executive board to create interactive board meetings.
Helped to bring and put together CNU's first annual Take Back the Night event.
Mentor - Pathfinders August 2011 – May 2012
Met regularly with an underclassman student to help her develop time management and study skills.
ADDITIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
Cashier - Red Rocker Candy August 2013 - May 2014
Customer Service Associate / Cashier - Jefferson Pharmacy (Seasonal) March 2009 – August 2013