Tyana Smith

U.S. Navy veteran and Communication & Digital Studies professional graduating from the University of Mary Washington in December 2026. Brings 4 years of military experience supporting large-scale operations serving approximately 3,000 personnel daily, along with experience in digital communications, project coordination, photography, videography, and audience engagement.

Bilingual in English and Spanish with proven ability to collaborate across teams, manage competing priorities, and communicate effectively in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.

COMMUNICATION & DIGITAL STUDIES - UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON - FREDERICKSBURG, VA

(2024 - 2026)

• Developed and completed 2–3 major communications and multimedia projects each semester, managing projects from audience research and concept development through production, revision, and final presentation, while balancing multiple project deadlines and deliverables throughout the academic year.
• Created audience-focused campaigns, written messaging, presentations, graphics, and digital content designed around specific communication goals and community needs, producing materials across multiple communication formats and digital platforms.
• Took leadership roles in collaborative projects by helping establish project direction, organize responsibilities, coordinate team efforts, and keep assignments progressing toward deadlines and communication goals, contributing to the successful completion of 2–3 major projects per semester.
• Produced and edited original video content using Adobe Premiere Pro, incorporating interviews, B-roll, audio, graphics, pacing, and visual storytelling, while managing multiple stages of video production, including planning, filming, editing, and final delivery.
• Captured original photography and video using DSLR equipment and designed promotional visual materials using Adobe Photoshop and Canva, contributing original visual assets to multimedia projects and communication campaigns.
• Researched target audiences, communication trends, and public issues to identify audience needs, communication barriers, and effective strategies for reaching diverse communities, incorporating findings into 2–3 major communications and multimedia projects per semester.
• Applied research findings to help guide creative and strategic decisions, ensuring communication materials aligned with project objectives and the needs of intended audiences, supporting research-informed decision-making throughout project development.
• Wrote, edited, and proofread scripts, presentations, promotional messaging, and research-based communications while collaborating with project teams to coordinate responsibilities, revisions, and deadlines, producing written and visual deliverables across multiple project stages.
• Demonstrated initiative and leadership throughout the creative process by contributing ideas, solving project challenges, supporting team members, and helping move projects from initial planning through final delivery, while managing competing responsibilities across 2–3 major projects each semester.

Culinary Specialist | Operations & Administrative Support - United States Navy — USS George Washington (CVN-73)

(2019 - 2023)

• Supported large-scale daily operations aboard a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier serving approximately 3,000 sailors and personnel per day, requiring consistent organization, communication, accuracy, service, and leadership in a high-demand environment, contributing to operations supporting approximately 21,000 personnel-service instances per week at that daily volume.
• Worked within 8–12-person teams to coordinate time-sensitive daily operations while maintaining quality, safety standards, and strict schedules, while also helping keep team members organized and focused on operational priorities in an environment supporting approximately 3,000 personnel daily.
• Took an active leadership role within team operations by helping delegate responsibilities, communicate expectations, and ensure daily tasks were completed accurately and on schedule, supporting coordination and accountability within 8–12-person operational teams.
• Coordinated with personnel across departments to exchange information, address operational needs, and support shared organizational objectives, serving as a dependable point of communication when priorities or responsibilities shifted, supporting operations involving approximately 3,000 shipboard personnel.
• Maintained records, organized operational information, coordinated schedules, and communicated procedures, training information, and safety requirements to personnel, supporting documentation accuracy and operational consistency throughout 4 years of active military service.
• Helped guide and support junior personnel by reinforcing procedures, answering questions, communicating expectations, and contributing to a professional and accountable team environment, providing hands-on support within 8–12-person teams.
• Supported large-scale shipboard activities while balancing multiple responsibilities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment requiring adaptability, leadership, initiative, and attention to detail, contributing to daily operations supporting approximately 3,000 personnel.
• Completed 12-hour flight deck watches, firefighting and emergency-response training, weapons qualifications, and shipboard safety responsibilities, developing the ability to remain composed, make sound decisions, follow procedures, and communicate effectively during high-pressure situations.
• Developed leadership, problem-solving, interpersonal communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills through 4 years of active military service working with personnel from diverse professional and personal backgrounds, including direct collaboration within 8–12-person operational teams.

B.A. - Communication & Digital Studies - University of Mary Washington (2026)