GARRISON BRYANT THOMAS

863- 589-2189 | GARRISON.THOMAS94@GMAIL.COM

EDUCATION
Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL
Master of Education, Higher Education May 2020
Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FL
Bachelor of Arts, Integrated Studies, Health Sciences concentration May 2018
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Sorority and Fraternity Life & Special Events, Graduate Assistant August 2018 – May 2020
Office of Student Activities and Greek Affairs, Loyola University Chicago
• Advise, mentor, and assist eight ethnic based Greek- lettered organizations that form the Multicultural Greek Council
• Serve as a liaison for students with marginalized identities and Loyola University Chicago’s Division of Student
Development
• Plan and implement community development initiatives and programming based on the values of scholarship, service,
leadership and unity
• Communicate with stakeholders about policies, procedures and expectations for the Office of Student Activities and Greek
Affairs
• Provide space and opportunity for individuals voice to be heard and support students in advocating for their organizational
needs
• Review and approve organizations planning and programming document submissions via online management system
• Facilitate and create curriculum encompassing the Jesuit mission and values
• Provide developmental advising for four Greek-lettered chapters concerning risk management, recruitment and retention,
leadership development, chapter operations and crisis management
• Monitor the implementation of chapters academic success plan, leading to 100% of chapters exceeding minimum GPA
requirement
• Conduct research and benchmarking similar institutions for best practices and restructuring the Multicultural Greek Council
infrastructure
• Design and implement assessment tools to effectively evaluate programming efforts
• Assist students in the planning and implementation of sorority and fraternity life recruitment and intake
• Collaborate with departmental staff on large scale department events such as Welcome Week, Student Organization Fair and
Finals Breakfast
National Orientation Directors Association, Graduate Intern May 2019 – August 2019
Office of Orientation Programs, University of Southern California
• Collaborated with departmental staff and campus partners to welcome and assist approximately 3,000 students and 2,000
guests to the university at Freshman and Transfer orientation programs
• Supervised, trained and evaluated an undergraduate student staff of four Orientation Coordinators and 40 Orientation
Advisors
• Moderated student panels to educate incoming students and guest on topics related to academic success, campus
involvement, and campus safety
• Assessed and evaluated orientation SCits (Significant Campus Issues for Today’s Students) in order to develop data- driven
enhancements that would increase future student engagement
• Analyzed assessment data results from Freshman, Transfer and Off- Campus orientation programs
• Referred students to the appropriate resources to support their overall success at the institution
• Facilitated group discussions to assist students in identifying and applying academic and personal behaviors needed to
succeed in college.
Orientation Intern May 2018- August 2018
Office of Undergraduate Admissions, University of West Florida
• Served as a primary resource for new students, parents and guest who attend New Student and Family Orientation
• Worked with senior leadership, admissions staff and campus partners in the planning, preparation and facilitation of
SplashDown- New Student and Family Orientation
• Trained, co- supervised and evaluated an undergraduate student staff that consisted of one Student Coordination and 18
Orientation Leaders
• Facilitated ongoing staff development exercises throughout the course of the summer
• Utilized VisualZen software to manage orientation registration and student information
• Served as the primary staff member for Late Night Alternative Programs during overnight orientation sessions
• Moderated family and guest panel to provide parents and with additional resources to successfully support their student
• Organized the end of the summer Orientation Banquet to celebrate the accomplishments of the student leaders
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Office Assistant August 2014- May 2018
Office of New Student Programs and First Year Advising, Florida Gulf Coast University
• Managed student records through BANNER and Gulfline- FGCU’s student cataloging system
• Assisted academic advisors with calendar maintenance via outlook, phone inquiries and other administrative duties as needed
• Oversaw data input for various documents, regarding departments, students and staff
• Answered questions via phone and in-person regrading parent and family programs, Eagle View Orientation and First Year
Advising
Fraternity and Sorority Life Project Assistant August 2014- May 2018
Office of Student Involvement, Florida Gulf Coast University
• Oversaw the renewal registration process of Greek- lettered organizations via online management system, EagleLink
• Reviewed all organizations event planning documentation and submissions
• Delivered and provided follow up communication to FSL organization officers to communicate important information on the
behalf of the Office of Student Involvement
• Trained fraternity and sorority life student leaders on how to navigate the online management system, EagleLink
• Assisted as necessary with programming efforts such as New Member Retreat, Greek Leaders Retreat and Fraternity and
Sorority Life Awards Ceremony
• Conducted research on best practices and benchmarking with other institutions
• Established social media outlets and maintained the fraternity and sorority life website
Resident Assistant January 2015- May 2016
Office of Housing and Residence Life, Florida Gulf Coast University
• Abided by, communicated and enforced all University and Housing and Residence Life policies and procedures utilizing the
FGCU Student Code of Conduct
• Promoted a living/learning residential community which enhanced the education and supported the exchange of diverse ideas
and experiences
• Maintained a confidential and objective stance in all sensitive matters with student information
• Initiated, developed and facilitated regularly scheduled building programs as well as quarterly neighborhood wide programs
to enhance overall student development
• Co-facilitated workshops and roundtables on topics pertaining to academics, professional and career development, personal
health and fitness and life skills
• Served as a point of contact during emergency and crisis incidents while serving on an RA on-call rotation
• Addressed discipline or behavioral problems and filed required incident reports to leadership in a timely manner
Orientation Team Leader January 2015- August 2015
Office of New Student Programs, Florida Gulf Coast University
• Assisted students in becoming acquainted with the university and surrounding area, discussing campus life, as well as
historical backgrounds of the university.
• Served as a paraprofessional Peer Academic Advisor for the Office of New Student Programs and First Year Advising
• Served as a co- presenter for Introduction to Academics, a presentation that provides students with in- depth information on
the General Education Program, graduation requirements, course selection and registration, academic placement testing, and
the university academic policies
• Provided developmental advising for incoming students who were undeclared major
• Worked with individuals who were considered special populated students (i.e. student athletes, honors students, and step
ahead program participants)
• Assisted students in the development of an education plan that included course recommended in their first year for their
selected majors
INVOLVEMENT & AWARDS
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Academic Achievement Award, recipient October 2018
Omicron Psi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Vice Polemarch June 2017- May 2018
Dunbar High School, Kappa League Mentor May 2017- May 2018
FGCU SOAR Leadership Award, recipient April 2018
FGCU Distinguished Leader Award, recipient April 2018
FGCU School of Nursing Retention and Progression Academic Committee December 2015- 2016
FGCU Foundation Scholarship, recipient Fall 2016
SKILLS
Computer Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Conflict Management and Resolution
Event Planning and Management
Public Speaking and Facilitation