Shaquana Benjamin

Strategic Calendar & Schedule Management – Own complex scheduling across three business owners, Task Prioritization & Workflow Support – Anticipate needs, delegate where appropriate, and ensure the Email & Communication Management – Oversee inboxes, draft and manage email correspondence, and act as a professional point of contact with internal and external stakeholders.

Operational

Support – Support the partners in organizing workflows, keeping the team aligned, and bringing a proactive, solution-oriented mindset to day-to-day operations.

Meeting

Preparation & Follow-up – Prepare agendas and materials, capture key takeaways during leadership meetings, and ensure follow-up actions are completed. Vendor & Partner Coordination – Manage relationships with vendors, partners, and contractors to ensure smooth operations.

Travel

Coordination – Arrange business and occasional personal travel, including itineraries, logistics, and schedule integration.

Expense

Tracking & Reimbursement Submissions – Maintain accurate records of expenses, process reimbursements, and assist with budget-related tasks. Project and Operational Support - Assist with project coordination within the business to aid in operational efficiencies and success.

Program Manager and Executive Assistant - The Jewish Theological Seminary/Division of Religious Leadership

Provide executive support to the Dean and Associate Dean of the Rabbinical School, and the Director of the Cantorial School.

• Manage all three DRL Dean calendars
• Support planning and execution of NYC campus events, academic programs, and student-facing activities, including scheduling, space coordination, and vendor or catering arrangements.
• Coordinate logistics for visiting faculty, speakers, and external guests, ensuring smooth engagement.
• Maintain and update a comprehensive NYC academic and events calendar.
• Organize meetings of DRL professional staff, advisory boards, and committees
• Process invoices, expense requests, contracts with external vendors, and check requests.
• Process travel and expense reports for the DRL Dean.
• Process and record incoming donations.
• Respond to questions and requests for information from students and the community, and welcome visitors.
• Primary interface with other JTS departments, including facilities, budgeting, accounting, development, and communications.
• Coordinate DRL Leadership involvement in the admissions and recruitment process
• Support Beit Midrash Programming for DRL students
• Edit and manage DRL communications, including weekly "Tachlis and Torah" e-newsletter, grant proposals, and reports.
• Register guests with security using Lobby Track.
• Serve as the CEO of making the DRL office a warm yet professional space.
• Controls all aspects of event planning and production for internal and public-facing special programs and events.
• Controls all aspects of event planning and production for student orientation, conferences, Cantorial School concerts, speakers, & Purim.
• Administer budgets of programs and grants, including tracking expenditures & spending projections.
• Gather data for and draft internal and external reports, including grants.
• Tracking and maintenance of student records, including advising, awards and fellowships, internships, placements, and senior sermons.
• Track the award of stipends and approved reimbursements for DRL programs.
• Proactively use available technology to streamline operations and increase efficiency.

Academic Executive Assistant - Touro University Physician Assistant Program

(2022-01 - 2024-12)

• Provided administrative support to the Program Director, Associate Program Director & Academic Coordinator.
• Compiled data for outside accreditation (Middle States Commission on Higher Education)
• Kept track of all student accommodations
• Tracked and documented student leaves of absence, reinstatements, and withdrawals from the Physician Assistant Program.
• Assisted the Dean with verification of final grades.
• Proctored all Didactic/Clinical Exams.
• Communicated with instructors for their availability for each semester.
• Sent the Semester and yearly summaries for Didactic Cohorts.
• Created monthly schedule calendars for students.
• Main point of contact for all professors and students.
• Ensured students and preceptors complete evaluations promptly.
• Edited and posted exams using ExamSoft.
• Photocopied material for distribution to students, such as examinations (if necessary), and room availability.
• Assisted the Academic Coordinator with the upcoming semester schedule and edited the Syllabi.
• Managed and Enter Exam grades into an Excel Spreadsheet for Didactic and Clinical students.
• Managed the Attendance and Punctuality Binder for all students.
• Managed End of year Summary spreadsheet.
• Managed White Coat Ceremony (Save the dates, Programs, White coat fitting and distribution, booking the venue and catering).
• Served on the Commencement Committee

Experiential Executive Assistant/Office Manager - St. John's University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

(2012-01 - 2022-12)

Provided executive support to the Assistant Dean, Dr. Emily Ambizas & Clinical Coordinator, Ms. Elizabeth Murray

• Assisted with hosting and planning of career fairs and preceptor development events for pharmacy students and preceptors.
• Placed students at their Clinical Rotation Sites
• Created a database to keep track of all student rotation grades.
• Scanned students' Health Clearance Packets into online file folders.
• Kept track of all student APPE and IPPE grades by using CORE and Excel.
• Managed and updated databases daily.
• Organized and maintained student files daily.
• Prepared materials for events and meetings.
• Answered phone calls and transferred calls to the appropriate source.
• Took minutes for meetings.
• Assisted Directors in the students' clearance process for practice experiences.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Interacted with students, faculty, and preceptors daily.

Executive Asst to the Chief Administrative Officer - Jewish Funds for Justice

(2006-01 - 2009-12)

Inter-office calendar management, including scheduling of appointments, arranging conference rooms, audio facilities, etc.

• Served as the CEO's right hand by taking care of all Administrative, Executive, IT, and personal tasks.
• Managed and coordinated the CEO's calendar and email.
• Set up, maintain, and organize confidential files.
• Coordinated international & domestic travel arrangements for the President and Chief Administrative Officer.
• Processed travel and expense reports for the CEO and Chief Administrative Officer.
• Coordinated Board meetings, took minutes, created, and distributed all Board materials.
• Coordinated events such as The Cornerstone Awards, Staff Retreats, and Charitable activities.
• Supervise the maintenance of office equipment, including copiers, fax machines, etc.
• Used Excel to calculate employee time. Updated personal, vacation, comp, and sick time on a bi-weekly basis.
• Controlled all employee benefits packages, such as terminating and adding employees to Oxford Health plans, Aflac, Sun life, and Direct Reimbursement Dental Plans of NY.
• Ordered all Office supplies through Staples and Office Max.
• Answered the main switchboard in a professional and courteous manner, as well as maintained the front desk area.
• Supported the Human Resources Director, CEO, Development Director, 2 Rabbis, and General Operations Manager.
• Coordinated all outgoing mail (UPS, FEDEX, DHL, USPS), messenger services, & freight services.
• Scheduled conference calls through www.freeconference.com & meetings through www.meetingwizard.com.
• Handled all the staff faxing, copying, mailing, scanning, and binding.
• Made sure all supply closets, kitchen, bathroom, and conference room areas were stocked and always organized.
• Maintained the office backup system daily by changing the backup tape every day and printing monthly reports to send to the computer services company.
• Handled all important employee lists (e.g., birthday acknowledgments and emergency contact lists).
• The point of contact for all building-related issues and/or concerns.

High School Diploma - Pacific High School (2000)

Bachelor of Science - Business Administration - Glenville State College (2005-05)

CONNECT Training Institute