Rousemary Estrada
Professional Skills
Adaptability
The skill of adaptability has proven to be crucial throughout my experience as a Student Engagement Ambassador for the University of Florida's Department of Student Engagement. In this role, I manage over 1,000 student organizations in their registration processes and strive to find innovative ways to enhance their member engagement. Adapting to the ever-changing needs of such a diverse community has been essential in ensuring the success of these student organizations. In this role, I advise over 50 students every semester through one-on-one consultations, guiding them to discover extracurricular opportunities and boosting overall student engagement by 20%. I've learned to be flexible and open-minded, tailoring my approaches to suit each organization's specific requests. Whether it's navigating through yearly registration or addressing concerns related to funding, adaptability has allowed me to find creative solutions and implement effective strategies. By embracing change and being open to new ideas, I've fostered an environment of continuous improvement and growth
As a participant in the Global Solutions Conversations program hosted by IREX and the Stevens Initiative, I collaborated with over 200 students from Iran and Jordan in a dynamic virtual exchange program. This six-session initiative focused on fostering cross-cultural dialogue and exploring global issues through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Leveraging the design thinking process, I contributed to the development of over three innovative, community-driven solutions addressing SDG-related challenges. These solutions were structured into a presentation delivered to partners of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Through this experience, I improved key skills, including cross-cultural communication, global awareness, critical thinking and problem solving, all while gaining a deeper understanding of diverse cultural perspectives and the importance of sustainable development.
Effective
Communication
Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills
As the Vice Chair of Membership for the GatorNights Planning Committee, I played a key role in fostering a cohesive and engaged team through the development of my interpersonal skills. I facilitated the interview and selection process by designing comprehensive questionnaires, member applications, and interview questions to ensure the recruitment of dedicated members. Additionally, with the help of my team, we managed attendance for over 25 members, organized social events to promote team bonding, and maintained thorough records of attendance and excuse forms through a structured attendance database. My team' efforts contributed to building a supportive and well-connected committee environment.
As an Undergraduate Research Assistant and Translator at Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador, I conducted an in-depth analysis of communication and data ethics practices across a diverse range of Ecuadorian businesses, including start-ups and global enterprises. My role involved performing and translating over 15 semi-structured interviews, applying qualitative data analysis techniques to identify key themes, and contributing more than 10,000 words of transcribed content to the University of Florida’s Samuel Proctor Oral History Collection. Leveraging AI transcription platforms, I transcribed and meticulously edited over 45 hours of interview audio, ensuring high-quality outputs for the research center’s database. Through this experience, I honed my skills in research question formulation, interview techniques, qualitative data analysis, report writing, Spanish translation, and AI transcription.
Planning
& Research
Organizational Leadership
As the Assistant Executive Director of Programming for the Hispanic Student Association, I have cultivated a dynamic environment that celebrates cultural diversity and fosters community engagement. Leading a team of 15, I oversee the planning and execution of over 10 events annually, each drawing an average attendance of 100+ members. By collecting and analyzing feedback from 200+ post-event surveys, I implement strategic improvements that have resulted in a 10% increase in satisfaction scores over the academic year. This role has enhanced my skills in program planning, team leadership, and feedback analysis, while deepening my ability to connect with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and promote meaningful cultural exchange.
In organizing the community project to address food insecurity in East Gainesville and Alachua County, I partnered with Systems Acumen for Youth Development Solutions (SAYDS), the LAND mentoring program, and the Brown Center for Leadership in Service at the University of Florida to create the Sustainable Food Systems Volunteer Cohort, a year-long program for 15+ students. I carefully designed the cohort to integrate service leadership, systems thinking, and real-world experience by pairing students with local farms, markets, and food distribution networks. By analyzing each student’s strengths and weaknesses, I tailored roles to maximize their potential—assigning tasks based on individual skills, such as farm liaison, community outreach, and logistics. I also ensured regular feedback, adapting roles and responsibilities as needed to promote growth and maintain project momentum. Utilizing project management tools, I kept the team on track, facilitating communication between all stakeholders and providing mentorship on leadership and food justice. Through collaboration and strategic planning, the cohort not only contributed to alleviating food insecurity but also gained valuable experience, creating a sustainable network of engaged students prepared to tackle complex community issues.
