Olivia Thompson

Professional Profile:

• Skilled in developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Interview individuals or family members to compile information on social, educational, criminal, institutional, or drug history

• Ask Big Questions Fellow – trained in how to properly facilitate conversation to create a place for a diverse community of students to share their opinions regarding life's “Big Questions” and issues facing our communities, to promote self-reflection and solutions to problems

• Scholar-Citizen Fellow -- developed skills in critical analysis, ethical reasoning, interdisciplinary and applied connections, and problem-solving

• Internship at Floyd County High School mentoring students on gaining skills and confidence in interviewing, transcribing, audio/video recording and collecting data

 

Education:

Radford University, Radford, VA May 2016

BS in Psychology and BS in Sociology

Minor in Women's Studies

 

• Eggleston University Service Memorial Scholarship

• Conducting independent research surrounding the sociological aspects of health and medicine

 

Social Service/ Work Experience:

Ask Big Questions Fellowship- Student Fellow, Radford, VA (August 2014 – May 2015)

Trained Facilitator

• Facilitated over 35 one-on-one conversations and 15 large group conversations

• Created campus wide initiatives to promote the idea of a culture based around conversation

• Student outreach for new ABQ fellows

 

Radford University’s Scholar-Citizen Initiative (January 2013 –August 2014)

Student Outreach Coordinator

• Recruit students into the Scholar-Citizen Initiative program and help facilitate a path toward fulfilling the requirements of the program.

• Assists the director of the university’s QEP (Quality Enhancement Plan)

• Developing and organizing student-service projects for current students

• Manned tables at academic and club fairs, helped with tracking and survey promotion of student attendance at SCI events

• Guest speaker for students' classes to promote SCI

 

Radford University Conference Services- Goodwill Career Conference, Radford, VA (June 17 – June 20, 2013)

Student Mentor

• Helped teach high-risk high school students from five local counties, about different educational and career opportunities, over a 4 day conference, sponsored by Goodwill, held at Radford University

• Worked with a team to co-ordinate and plan the events for each day

 

Radford Social Services, Radford, VA (June – August 2013)

Counselor at “Fun Friday’s Camp”

• Provided counseling for high-risk juveniles in Radford County

• Helped to create a supportive and positive atmosphere for children with fewer opportunities, while teaching them important and useful life skills

 

Volunteer Experience:

SELU Conservancy of Radford University, April-July 2014

• Helped to advertise and promote the development of a new organic community garden.

• Helped to construct garden from ground up and with first planting

• Donated crops from Selu to local food charities

 

One Billion Rising: Clothing Donation Drive for the New River Valley Women’s Resource Center

February 2012, October 2012, February 2013

• Organized, and promoted speed clothing donation drive for the Women’s Resource Center for victims of domestic and sexual assault in the New River Valley

 

Rebuilding Planters in Bisset Park with high risk juvenile's from the New River Valley April 2013

• Encouraged children from local county schools, to understand the benefits of commitment by nurturing plants in the local park and rebuild wooden structures for planters in local park

 

Human Rights Campaign (H.R.C) at Roanoke Pride in the Park, September 2012

• Fundraising for H.R.C. to support the fight for marriage equality, at Roanoke’s Annual Pride in the Park

 

Half The Sky Campus Ambassador, October 2012

• Initiated, organized and obtained permission for screening of the PBS documentary Half The Sky at Radford University, as well as lead student and faculty discussion following the film

 

Academic Leadership Experience:

Scholar-Citizen Fellow

• Focused on reflective practice and applied academics, turning course work and research into real-life solutions to problems.

 

Scholar-Citizen's Student Organization – Founder, President, Executive Board (May 2013 –August 2014) (Member, August 2014-May 2016)

• Founded Scholar-Citizen's Student Organization in 2013

• Manage student members and facilitate students who are working towards completing their requirements of the Scholar-Citizen's Fellows Program

• Promote all "SCI" campus events

 

Women's Studies Club President, May 2012 –Present

• Promote awareness for campus and community events relating to women’s issues and put on annual Radford University Women's Studies events

 

Radford University Q.E.P Steering Committee – Student Member, January 2013 –August 2014

• Provide a student perspective for development of Scholar-Citizen Initiative at Radford University

 

Radford University Club’s Programming Committee (C.P.C) – Serving Member, August 2013 –May 2015

• Review applications weekly of University clubs and organizations and make decisions for approval of funding

 

 

Research Experience:

Gendered bodies and technology conference, Roanoke, VA (April 2016)

• presented original theoretical research about medical technology and management of intersex (DSD) and transgendered individuals

 

Floyd County Roots with Wings History and Research, Floyd County VA (August-December 2013 and January-May 2016)

• Collected qualitative data through interview

• mentored Floyd County High School Students

• Performed multi-faceted analysis

• Helped produce and publish original research

 

 

 

 

• Radford University Relations Article: " Scholar-Citizen Olivia Thompson found her calling at Radford University "

• Radford University Newspaper "The Tartan" Article: " Ask Big Questions Asks the Big Questions at Radford "