Samantha T.

About

Event and operations professional with 10+ years of experience managing large-scale programs, high-profile partnerships, and complex logistics across higher education, nonprofit, and entertainment environments. I specialize in creating seamless, well-organized experiences—whether coordinating multi-day festivals, overseeing campus-wide events with thousands of attendees, or supporting productions and brand activations. Known for exceptional organization, documentation management, stakeholder communication, and problem-solving, I thrive in fast-paced settings where accuracy and collaboration are essential. I’ve led programs from concept to execution, managed budgets over $100K, streamlined operational workflows, and trained cross-functional teams to deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes. Recognized for my creativity, resourcefulness, and commitment to service excellence, I bring a blend of event expertise and strong administrative/coordination skills that support organizational goals, enhance client satisfaction, and improve overall efficiency.

Experience

• Event Manager · UCLA2023-12-01 –
• Senior Events Manager · Cayton Children's Museum2022-05-01 – 2023-09-01

  Expand and improve facility rental programs to maximize the revenue potential of the Museum space. Serve as main point of contact for facility rentals, including birthday parties, private art activities, corporate events, staff engagement activities and more. Work with clients to ensure smooth venue rental experience for all events and private parties. Secure insurance documents and appropriate city and venue permits for all events, when necessary. Develop and track event budgets, optimizing ROI; Analyze event performance and prepare post-event reports and metrics for department review. Support planning and execution of museum festivals and public events. Assess and report on progress toward event-related revenue goals, and provide recommendations for improvement.

• Events and Engagement Specialist · University of California, Los Angeles2019-08-01 – 2022-11-01

  Lead planner and coordinator of 150+ annual events. Plan and coordinate welcome festivals, multi-day events, award ceremonies, VIP dinners for the dean and donors, staff engagement events, conferences, alumni networking events, staff retreats, team building activities, dinners and Holiday Staff Appreciation luncheons. Manage coordination of in-person and virtual events. Vendor and budget management.

• Administrative Assistant · University of California, Riverside2011-09-01 – 2019-08-01

  Coordinate and facilitate business tours and site visits for international students. Planned and coordinated UC Riverside - Extension’s International Education Programs 40th Anniversary celebration with the Dean and Associate Dean of UCR Extension. Create schedules and plan events and meetings for University Programs. Work with facilities staff to ensure proper execution of events (room reservations, audio visual setup, technical setup and catering requests). Correspond with international agencies and representatives from universities via email and telephone regarding enrollment of prospective students. Work with and attend to over 600 students per quarter. Train and delegate tasks to student assistants for Academic team. Organization and maintenance of data bases and spreadsheets with Microsoft Excel. Collection & organization of confidential international documents such as passports & I-20s. Conduct, plan and organize Welcome Receptions, Certificate Ceremonies and Book Fairs. Conduct student orientations through presentations. Poster, flyer & sign designing. Obtain quotes for departmental book orders.

• Purchasing and Travel Coordinator · University of California, Riverside2013-04-01 – 2015-12-01

  Confirm vendor sources, catalog numbers, prices, taxes, shipping charges, and payment options. Use of UC Riverside purchasing system, eBuy, to monitor purchases, select vendors, and reconcile purchase orders. Process change-orders when necessary. Use of Connexxus (travel system), iTravel and eBuy to purchase domestic & foreign flights for department. Prepare travel advances, airfare/lodging/vehicle rental reservations, conference registrations, and travel expense reports for domestic and international travel by staff, instructors, and prospective employees while staying within budget of UC travel policies. Prepare and issue reimbursements for entertainment expenses while ensuring proper FAU selection, documentation, and approvals, as well as adherence to campus entertainment policies. Prepare transactions through UC Riverside purchasing system ePay. Assist with quarterly and annual fiscal closing activities. Review all transactions for accuracy and identify appropriate accruals/deferrals.

• Student Assistant · University of California, Riverside2007-04-01 – 2011-09-01

  Greeted current and prospective students at the front desk. Enrolled students in courses. Processed and verified large sums of currency. Processed and serviced inbound calls. Provided clerical support in areas of file maintenance.

Education

• University of California, RiversidePsychology, Psychology
• University of California, RiversideProfessional Certificate, Event Management
• University of California, RiversideProfessional Certificate, Project Management
• University of California, RiversideProfessional Certificate, Business Management
• University of California, RiversideProfessional Certificate, Marketing

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