Challenge
As an Outreach Coordinator for English Language Programs of the Department of State, one of the top outreach priorities was finding consistent, meaningful ways to engage alumni. The goal was threefold: to encourage eligible alumni to reapply for new projects, to empower them to share stories that inspire future applicants, and to support their professional growth.
Action
I helped create multiple avenues for alumni involvement across conferences, campaigns, and special events. At regional, national, and international conferences, I coordinated alumni-led sessions and panels, providing presenter coaching, logistics support, and clear talking points. I also trained alumni and staff to represent the program at booths, equipping them to mentor prospective applicants while engaging visitors. To bring stakeholder visions to life, I delivered interactive booth activities—such as writable banners—that encouraged participation from alumni and other attendees. Beyond events, I curated alumni stories for promotional campaigns, blogs, and monthly social media features, amplifying their voices to broader audiences. During a two-week Virtual Educator exchange that began with professional development workshops in Washington, D.C., I collaborated on the design and delivery of an outreach workshop that guided participants in sharing the impact of their stories. Throughout the week, I also supported other professional development sessions by preparing printed materials and managing onsite setup.
Impact
These efforts generated measurable engagement. Across 2024–2025, alumni-led sessions averaged 16 attendees per conference, while booths produced an average of 38 new email sign-ups at more than 40 events. The professional development week brought together 20 Virtual Educators and 20 host coordinators from institutions abroad—colleagues who normally support the educators remotely. Traveling from across the U.S. and around the world, participants experienced in-person collaboration after years of interacting with the program solely online, strengthening both professional networks and cross-cultural partnerships.
Challenge
As an Outreach Coordinator for English Language Programs of the Department of State, one of the top outreach priorities was finding consistent, meaningful ways to engage alumni. The goal was threefold: to encourage eligible alumni to reapply for new projects, to empower them to share stories that inspire future applicants, and to support their professional growth.
Action
I helped create multiple avenues for alumni involvement across conferences, campaigns, and special events. At regional, national, and international conferences, I coordinated alumni-led sessions and panels, providing presenter coaching, logistics support, and clear talking points. I also trained alumni and staff to represent the program at booths, equipping them to mentor prospective applicants while engaging visitors. To bring stakeholder visions to life, I delivered interactive booth activities—such as writable banners—that encouraged participation from alumni and other attendees. Beyond events, I curated alumni stories for promotional campaigns, blogs, and monthly social media features, amplifying their voices to broader audiences. During a two-week Virtual Educator exchange that began with professional development workshops in Washington, D.C., I collaborated on the design and delivery of an outreach workshop that guided participants in sharing the impact of their stories. Throughout the week, I also supported other professional development sessions by preparing printed materials and managing onsite setup.
Impact
These efforts generated measurable engagement. Across 2024–2025, alumni-led sessions averaged 16 attendees per conference, while booths produced an average of 38 new email sign-ups at more than 40 events. The professional development week brought together 20 Virtual Educators and 20 host coordinators from institutions abroad—colleagues who normally support the educators remotely. Traveling from across the U.S. and around the world, participants experienced in-person collaboration after years of interacting with the program solely online, strengthening both professional networks and cross-cultural partnerships.
Supporting Materials
Below you’ll find examples of how creativity and design supported community engagement and outreach.
TESOL 2025 Writable Banner (Long Beach, California) – I designed this 38″ x 84″ piece in alignment with the program’s branding style to bring a stakeholder vision to life: attracting alumni and potential applicants through an interactive booth feature. Alumni were encouraged to respond to a banner prompt by linking their reflections to their project experiences, while potential applicants could read these responses, add their own, and feel motivated to apply. The design process and the final real-time result illustrate how visual creativity can spark meaningful connections and foster community participation.
Virtual Educator Impact Exchange Workshop Presentation – This workshop, co-designed by the outreach team for Virtual Educator alumni and their international counterparts, guided teachers on how to share their stories and impact on our private COP platform and across social media. While the workshop was a collaborative effort, I contributed the idea to open with a Six-Word Memoir activity as a creative icebreaker. Adapted from one of the Virtual Educator Playground presentations, this activity demonstrated to participants that they already had the tools to contribute to program outreach, even if they didn’t see themselves as marketing experts. This creative framing helped set the tone for a session that not only amplified teacher voices but also strengthened the program’s visibility as a paid professional development opportunity.
Note: Select work samples shown here have been adapted or modified to respect organizational branding.
Supporting Materials
Below you’ll find examples of how creativity and design supported community engagement and outreach.
TESOL 2025 Writable Banner (Long Beach, California) – I designed this 38″ x 84″ piece in alignment with the program’s branding style to bring a stakeholder vision to life: attracting alumni and potential applicants through an interactive booth feature. Alumni were encouraged to respond to a banner prompt by linking their reflections to their project experiences, while potential applicants could read these responses, add their own, and feel motivated to apply. The design process and the final real-time result illustrate how visual creativity can spark meaningful connections and foster community participation.
Virtual Educator Impact Exchange Workshop Presentation – This workshop, co-designed by the outreach team for Virtual Educator alumni and their international counterparts, guided teachers on how to share their stories and impact on our private COP platform and across social media. While the workshop was a collaborative effort, I contributed the idea to open with a Six-Word Memoir activity as a creative icebreaker. Adapted from one of the Virtual Educator Playground presentations, this activity demonstrated to participants that they already had the tools to contribute to program outreach, even if they didn’t see themselves as marketing experts. This creative framing helped set the tone for a session that not only amplified teacher voices but also strengthened the program’s visibility as a paid professional development opportunity.
Note: Select work samples shown here have been adapted or modified to respect organizational branding.