Thomas Matallana
Summary
Agile and Outcome-Oriented Graduate Student with demonstrated experience leading diverse teams, managing client-facing programs, and producing research and deliverables despite short deadlines and adversity. Skilled at translating complex policy and program needs into practical products and workflows for the use of the client even as the needs and processes change during development with diligence and keeping sight of the big picture. Likewise proficient in: Bilingual in Spanish; Microsoft (Outlook, Powerpoint, Excel, Word) & Google (Gchat, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Sites) Suites; community engagement; stakeholder outreach, office management/administration, and data-driven program evaluation.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Americorps Member - Literacy Lead
Americorps - Reading Partners (RP)
Washington, DC
08.2024 - Current
- Led and mentored 111 volunteer tutors, coordinating schedules and ensuring daily operations in three literacy centers while adapting to staffing and logistical challenges.
- Trained and mentored volunteers in effective tutoring strategies and best practices.
- Collaborated with educators to assess student progress and adjust instructional methods accordingly.
- Led team meetings to strategize for successful literacy interventions and developing individualized intervention plans for each student.
- Program performance: Created 180+ Student and Tutor Profiles in Salesforce, performed data entry and performance audits to track student outcomes and adjust program as required.
- Assessed progress and eligibility for 160 students, directly tutoring 21 students to improve literacy skills; exceeding program performance and student growth goals.
- Designed and delivered outreach programs to partner schools; coordinated volunteer appreciation and retention activities.
Tutor
Writing Center
01.2023 - 05.2024
- Guided 50+ students in academic or non-academic English and Spanish writing projects, helping develop writing skills through individualized support and feedback through drafting, editing, proofreading process.
- Mentored junior tutors in effective teaching strategies and peer review techniques to improve service quality.
- Supported students with helpful study habits and exam strategies.
- Facilitated workshops on academic writing, grammar, and citation styles to enhance student understanding.
Event Associate - Federal Work-Study
Transylvania University (TU)
Lexington, KY
09.2020 - 05.2024
- Organized for campus events according to client specifications, led tours for new students, and addressed visitor inquiries.
- Assisted manager with administrative duties, including onboarding, scheduling, facility operations, and maintaining relationships with student organizations.
- Coordinated logistics for events, optimizing resource allocation and ensuring seamless execution.
Intern
Central American Resource Center (CARECEN)
Washington, DC
06.2022 - 08.2022
- Managed high-volume client intake and casework, including 250+ client calls and 80+ client cases in Salesforce while maintaining confidentiality and accuracy.
- Prepared clients for naturalization exams and interviews; translating official documents and prepared application materials (N-400).
- Conducted spatial analysis and drafted reports to support future program expansion; digitizing paper records to improve access via cloud-based storage.
- Streamlined intern onboarding resources and tasking to improve office efficiency and service delivery.
- Collaborated with team members to streamline administrative processes, increasing operational efficiency.
Education
Masters of Arts in International Affairs - Global Governance, Politics, And Security
American University, School of International Service
12-2026
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science & International Affairs
Transylvania University
05-2024
Skills
- Root Cause Problem-Solving, Continuous Improvement
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Attention to Detail
- Time Management
- Critical Thinking
- Dependable and Responsible
- Multitasking
- Organizational Skills
- Agility and Change Management Proficiency
- Effective Verbal and Written Communication
- Scheduling
- Research
- Interpersonal Skills
- Digitally Literate
- Proficient in Microsoft (Outlook, Powerpoint, Excel, Word) and Google (Gchat, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Sites) Suite
- Competent with Artificial Intelligence
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Americorps Member - Literacy Lead
Americorps - Reading Partners (RP)
08.2024 - Current
Tutor
Writing Center
01.2023 - 05.2024
Intern
Central American Resource Center (CARECEN)
06.2022 - 08.2022
Event Associate - Federal Work-Study
Transylvania University (TU)
09.2020 - 05.2024
Masters of Arts in International Affairs - Global Governance, Politics, And Security
American University, School of International Service
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science & International Affairs
Transylvania University
Leadership
Latino Student Alliance @ TU
- Co-Founder and President of Latino Student Alliance
- Drafted constitution and bylaws; recruited 50+ members; mediated disputes; built faculty partnerships leading to campus-wide programming.
TU College Republicans (TUCRs)
- Secretary & State Representative for TUCRs
- Organized events with executive board members; represented TUCRs at state-level College Republican Congresses