Vanessa Sousa

VANESSA SOUSA

vs6963a@student.american.edu         c: 908-552-5923

Local Address                                                                                                                         Permanent Address

4701 Upton Street, NW                                                                                                                            1 Stacey Court

Washington, DC 20016                                                                                                           South Plainfield, NJ 07080

EDUCATION

American University, Washington, DC – May 2023

B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies: Communication, Legal Institutions, Economics, Government (CLEG)

Minor in the Spanish Language

Certificate Program in Advanced Leadership Studies

G.P.A.: 4.0/4.0

Honors: American University Dean’s Scholarship (August 2019-Present), AU Summa Cum Laude

   Relevant Courses and Projects: Congress & Legislative Behavior, Pol. Power & American Public Policy,

Intro. to Law, Critical Issues un Justice, Politics in the Developing World, Developmental Leadership I & II

Educational Marginalization Awareness & Fundraising Campaign, Developer/Organizer, August 2020-Present

• Collected extensive research on educational inequity and marginalization of certain students in the U.S. education system
• Coordinating a social media awareness campaign and social-distanced charity run for the Spring of 2021 with a partnering non-profit

Puerto Rico Alternative Break Program- Education & Inequality, Student Volunteer, January 2020-March 2020

• Examined the economic, political, and social inequalities in Puerto Rico’s public education system.
• Visited, spoke with and supported the Instituto Nueva Escuela, P.E.C.E.S. Humacao and U.P.R. by aiding in any designated tasks and collaborated on a video highlighting the benefits of each educational institution as well as the inequities they face

Racial Injustice Issue Group 2019-2020- Reducing Recidivism, Team Member, September 2019 – April 2020

• Conducted extensive research on a narrowed subject within the larger issue of racial injustice: recidivism.
• Organized a social media campaign and fundraiser for a partnering D.C. non-profit organization, Free Minds Book Club

Mount Saint Mary Academy, Watchung, NJ – June 2019

   Honors: G.P.A.: 4.23/4.0, A.P. Scholar with Distinguish, National Honor Society, National English Honor

Society, National Latin Honor Society, Certificate from the Camoes Instituto en da Lingua Portugal

   Relevant Courses: AP US Gov’t & Politics, A.P. Comparative Politics, AP US History, A.P. Macroeconomics,

A.P. Microeconomics, A.P. English Language and Composition, A.P. English Literature and Composition

SPECIAL SKILLS

Computer: Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, iMovie, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Skype, Canva

Languages: Fluent in Portuguese, conversational in Spanish

EXPERIENCE: 

D.C. Witness, Washington, DC                                                             Editoral Intern                    January 2021 – present

• Track homicide cases and attend court hearings/trials on such homicides
• Write briefs and long-form stories on homicide reduction policies
• Interview court employees and participate in a podcast on DC homicide cases

American University School of Public Affairs Leadership Program, Eco. Inequality Teaching Assistant, June 2020 – present

• Guide first-year members in their research by teaching them about literature reviews, policy memos, matrixes, and grant proposals
• Advise such members in developing, organizing, and executing their chosen social justice project

Professor Elizabeth Suhay, AU School of Public Affairs, Dept. of Government, Research Assistant, January 2020 – January 2021

• Developed a coding scheme and utilized this key to code a nationally-distributed survey
• Conducted statistical analysis for Professor Suhay’s research about Americans’ perception of inequality

American Red Cross HQ: Office of Pres. & CEO., Corporate Fundraising Dept., Washington, DC, Virtual Intern, May – Aug. 2020

• Wrote summaries concerning Red Cross organization-wide updates bi-weekly for the Office of the President & C.E.O.
• Drafted presidential briefings for the President & C.E.O.’s events and assisted with the office’s transition to an online workplace
• Constructed internal/external surveys for employees/partners and generated post-survey reports/Excel sheets for distribution
• Collaborated on the future operations of the Corporate Fundraising Department due to COVID-19 and organized PowerPoints/Excel sheets about such changes presented at the department’s annual retreat
• Managed and developed American Red Cross microsites and conversed with corporate partners about in-kind donations
• Conducted research on virtual Employee Engagement and 401k & 457b Policy Statements for the Governance Department

American University Center for Advocacy & Student Equity, Accessibility & Accommodations Advocate, Aug. 2020 – Present

• Planned and led meetings to educate students on university policies/adjudication procedures and prepare statements/appeals before conferences, hearings, or panels
• Advocate for improvements to students’ rights and accommodations within specific university codes and guidelines

American University Student Government, Vice President’s Chief of Staff, Senator of Class of 2023, October 2019 – Present

• Manage and support A.U. School & Class Councils as their primary point of contact within the V.P. cabinet
• Tackle problems that come to the V.P. cabinet fill in for the V.P., and assist cabinet directors with their programming events
• Advocated for Class of 2023, such as the need for increased inclusivity and mental/emotional health programs
• Attended weekly senate meetings, proposed, drafted, and wrote bills and resolutions to present to A.U.S.G. Senate

ACTIVITIES