Melissa Lent

Researcher and Multimedia Specialist at Center for an Urban Future
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Contact Information
us****@****om
(386) 825-5501
Location
Queens County, New York, United States, US

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Experience

    • United States
    • Think Tanks
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Researcher and Multimedia Specialist
      • Apr 2021 - Present

      New York, New York, United States As a researcher, I author high-impact reports aligned with the Center for an Urban Future’s mission to build a more inclusive and equitable economy through writing, interviews, and data analysis. My research has influenced two City Council bills on expanding economic opportunity for New Yorkers with disabilities and an increased city investment in the City University of New York's CUNY 2X Tech Initiative. Additionally, I communicate our research findings through op-eds, testimonies, and public… Show more As a researcher, I author high-impact reports aligned with the Center for an Urban Future’s mission to build a more inclusive and equitable economy through writing, interviews, and data analysis. My research has influenced two City Council bills on expanding economic opportunity for New Yorkers with disabilities and an increased city investment in the City University of New York's CUNY 2X Tech Initiative. Additionally, I communicate our research findings through op-eds, testimonies, and public speaking arrangements, including the Mayor’s Summit on Disability, Education, and Employment. I also mentor interns on research-related and soft skills, as well we recruit each semester's internship cohort with the Center's operations manager. As a multimedia specialist, I run our organization's social channels and manage video and design projects. Show less

    • United States
    • Higher Education
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Adjunct Lecturer
      • Aug 2020 - May 2021

      New York, New York, United States In this role, I served as a part-time adjunct lecturer for the Media Studies department. My focus was to teach my students how people make meaning, articulate values, and comprehend reality through the media of communication. I created guiding questions, quizzes, PowerPoints, and follow-up emails with supplementary reading/watching material. I taught two sections each semester and acted as a point person for student grades, questions, and concerns.

    • United States
    • E-Learning Providers
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Apprentice
      • Jan 2021 - Apr 2021

      Remote In this apprenticeship, I assisted in all areas of podcast production, including branding, content creation, audio editing, promotion, pitching, social media, budgeting, and more. My production experience culminated in co-writing Season 2, Episode 27: "Hyphenated Identity." I served as associate editor, associate producer, assistant audio editor, and assistant producer on several episodes. I also acted as a liaison between the podcast and its media management group. Internally, I also led team… Show more In this apprenticeship, I assisted in all areas of podcast production, including branding, content creation, audio editing, promotion, pitching, social media, budgeting, and more. My production experience culminated in co-writing Season 2, Episode 27: "Hyphenated Identity." I served as associate editor, associate producer, assistant audio editor, and assistant producer on several episodes. I also acted as a liaison between the podcast and its media management group. Internally, I also led team organization by onboarding members onto the project management tool Notion and creating team specific guides for social media, episode production, and distribution site PRX for current and future apprentices. Show less

    • United States
    • Hospitality
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Reporter
      • Nov 2020 - Jan 2021

      Remote As a freelancer for LiveKindly, I helped produce an explainer video on sustainable packaging. My role in this project consisted of researching for multiple briefs, creating a list of potential interviewees and questions, interviewing experts and brands through Zencastr, and writing a script for the editor and animator to use once I completed reporting. The video will serve as a resource for consumers to compare the innovation happening in sustainable packaging and consider the eco-friendly… Show more As a freelancer for LiveKindly, I helped produce an explainer video on sustainable packaging. My role in this project consisted of researching for multiple briefs, creating a list of potential interviewees and questions, interviewing experts and brands through Zencastr, and writing a script for the editor and animator to use once I completed reporting. The video will serve as a resource for consumers to compare the innovation happening in sustainable packaging and consider the eco-friendly factor in the brands they buy from. Show less

    • United States
    • Think Tanks
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Visiting Fellow
      • Oct 2020 - Dec 2020

      New York, New York, United States Through this contract position, I wrote a report on the economic challenges facing New Yorkers with disabilities. For the report, I interviewed over a dozen local stakeholders, from advocacy organizations to direct service providers, to collect data and stories on how their target populations were faring during the pandemic. The finished product serves as a jumping-off point for the media and policymakers to continue to bring light to this issue.

    • Content Strategist
      • Aug 2020 - Oct 2020

      In this freelance project, I conceptualized and executed a media campaign to educate young people on mask wearing, mental health during the pandemic, and other topics related to COVID-19. My most important project was producing a podcast episode for Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation on youth anxiety around the coronavirus, which included a youth, mental health professional, and MacArthur “genius” grant winner Angela Duckworth. Along with my partner in the project, I also created a social… Show more In this freelance project, I conceptualized and executed a media campaign to educate young people on mask wearing, mental health during the pandemic, and other topics related to COVID-19. My most important project was producing a podcast episode for Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation on youth anxiety around the coronavirus, which included a youth, mental health professional, and MacArthur “genius” grant winner Angela Duckworth. Along with my partner in the project, I also created a social media toolkit and strategy to target universities across the country. Show less

    • United States
    • Non-profit Organizations
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Jeannette K. Watson Fellow
      • Apr 2018 - Sep 2020

      Greater New York City Area Awarded the highly selective Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship that develops the personal, professional and cultural potential of remarkable students to become effective and humane leaders. Selection criteria include leadership, ability to work in teams, ambition, openness to new perspectives, communication skills, academic excellence, and integrity.

    • United States
    • Civic and Social Organizations
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Journalism Intern
      • Jun 2020 - Aug 2020

      New York, New York, United States At Gotham Gazette, my main responsibilities were to serve as a reporter, act as a researcher, and stay abreast of the news as a notetaker. I wrote articles at the intersection of politics and race, education, or business. My research included tracking the stances and policies of elected officials like Governor Cuomo, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, or Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams around public safety. Finally I attended several press conferences or online events and made detailed… Show more At Gotham Gazette, my main responsibilities were to serve as a reporter, act as a researcher, and stay abreast of the news as a notetaker. I wrote articles at the intersection of politics and race, education, or business. My research included tracking the stances and policies of elected officials like Governor Cuomo, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, or Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams around public safety. Finally I attended several press conferences or online events and made detailed reports for my editors. Show less

    • United States
    • Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • NBC4 Better Get Baquero Intern
      • Jan 2020 - May 2020

      New York, New York At NBC, my main responsibilities were to pre-interview potential stories and to serve as a production assistant on shoots for the daily Better Get Baquero segment. Every day I would call consumers about their issues with certain companies and write summary reports for my producer and the host of the show. My supervisors would also ask for my input on the quality and feasibility of stories they were considering booking. During shoots, I helped set up microphones, carry equipment, and arrange… Show more At NBC, my main responsibilities were to pre-interview potential stories and to serve as a production assistant on shoots for the daily Better Get Baquero segment. Every day I would call consumers about their issues with certain companies and write summary reports for my producer and the host of the show. My supervisors would also ask for my input on the quality and feasibility of stories they were considering booking. During shoots, I helped set up microphones, carry equipment, and arrange shots. I also logged footage so the host could write her scripts, booked shoots using our production calendar, and communicated with consumers about documents, follow-up questions and the air date of their story. Show less

    • Vietnam
    • Non-profit Organizations
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Marketing And Public Relations Intern
      • Jun 2019 - Aug 2019

      Vietnam My three long-term projects included a booklet, a staff handbook, and a video project. I produced a booklet on all of VinaCapital Foundation's health and education programs. This project included research on other booklets, writing over 4000 words about VCF, and designing the pages on Adobe Illustrator. I also updated the staff handbook by completely redesigning it on Adobe Illustrator, updating existing language, and writing an entirely new company culture code. For the video project, I wrote… Show more My three long-term projects included a booklet, a staff handbook, and a video project. I produced a booklet on all of VinaCapital Foundation's health and education programs. This project included research on other booklets, writing over 4000 words about VCF, and designing the pages on Adobe Illustrator. I also updated the staff handbook by completely redesigning it on Adobe Illustrator, updating existing language, and writing an entirely new company culture code. For the video project, I wrote brief proposals for videos about each of VCF's programs in regard to content and artistic style. My other activities included writing and editing social media and blog posts, editing a video about our marathon fundraiser, taking and editing photos of our hospital visits, planning English games for our scholarship recipients, and shooting video at medical equipment handover ceremonies or VCF's girls' empowerment meeting. Show less

    • United States
    • Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
    • 100 - 200 Employee
    • Media Intern
      • Jun 2018 - Jul 2018

      Greater New York City Area At WNYC, I gathered street interviews for segments of our show, and then cut the audio for our sound designer. I conducted research and gave presentations on my findings related to show ideas or possible subjects for our podcast, Nancy. I also transcribed whole episodes of our show to be accessible to the deaf or academic community.

    • United States
    • Performing Arts
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Community Action Intern
      • Sep 2017 - May 2018

      Manhattan, New York My most important project was setting the foundation for a new training alumni network. Each year, Gibney hosts two training programs for people to learn to create their own arts and social justice programs. I compiled a contact list for graduates from around the world, which also included what projects they were initiating, a sample survey to identify hot spots for additional support, and an outreach email. I also laid out the structure of the program with the Community Action… Show more My most important project was setting the foundation for a new training alumni network. Each year, Gibney hosts two training programs for people to learn to create their own arts and social justice programs. I compiled a contact list for graduates from around the world, which also included what projects they were initiating, a sample survey to identify hot spots for additional support, and an outreach email. I also laid out the structure of the program with the Community Action manager. During my time at Gibney, I also compiled language and photographs for our department's spring brochure, and created a primer on fiscal sponsorship that was used across departments. Show less

    • United States
    • Advertising Services
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Marketing Associate
      • May 2017 - Aug 2017

      Greater New York City Area I secured sponsors for the 14+ Foundation's Annual Benefit. Our company also held outings and events, and I planned and organized these by researching and contacting venues and caterers. I also managed clients' social media accounts and suggested strategies for growth and exposure.

    • United States
    • Non-profit Organizations
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Intern
      • Jul 2015 - Sep 2015

      Greater New York City Area At this organization, I assisted in chaperoning foster children on cultural excursions around the city. I also vetted caterers for these events, and entered feedback surveys from the participants in a database to help Culture for One better understand which programming was most effective and the goals of the children for the future.

Education

  • Hunter College
    Bachelor's degree, Communication and Media Studies
  • Macaulay Honors College at The City University of New York
    Media Studies/English, Summa cum laude, Valedictorian

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