RICHENA PURNELL-SAYLE, MA

Email: richenapurnell@gmail.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/richena

PROFILE

High-level skills in project management, program evaluation/research, program

management, contract management, operations management, website content management,
and executive support
Eight years of administrative experience in international higher education and advocacy
and in the private sphere; four years of staff management
Software: WordPress; Google Apps for Work; Basecamp; Microsoft Office (Word,
PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Visio, Publisher, Project); Adobe Acrobat; Constant Contact;
Terra Dotta; Kronos Workforce; SmartDraw; UPS WorldShip; basic experience with
Photoshop and Ellucian Banner
Foreign Languages: Limited working proficiency in Spanish
Highest Degree: Masters in Global Affairs, George Mason University. GPA: 3.97

EXPERIENCE
George Mason University, Fairfax, VA (Multiple Positions 2010-Present)
Project Manager/Global Partnerships Officer, Office of Global Strategy, 2016- Present
Project / Office Manager, Office of Global Strategy, 2014-2015
Office Manager / Executive Assistant, Office of Global Strategy, 2012-2014
Administrative Assistant, Office of Global Strategy, 2010-2012
Project Management and Leadership:
Manage highly visible projects to support the Universitys strategic global priorities. This
includes clarifying ideas and strategies, recruiting and organizing appropriate teams,
monitoring projects to stay on time, on mission and on budget and creating communication
plans.
International Institutional Partnership Contracts. December 2015 Present
Create Memoranda of Understanding between International Universities and
Mason.
Meet with Mason constituents and international partners to determine needs,
provide technical expertise and provide analytical assessments of partnership
suitability to executive administration. Coordinate contract negotiations and track
progress of multi-month approval process from start to finish.
Write memoranda documents in accordance with legal and academic accreditation
policies. Maintain comprehensive database and physical files for the university.
Develop streamlined process to improve customer service, decrease length of
approval cycle and to limit errors and liability within memoranda documents.
Collaborative Online International Learning Program. January 2015 - Present
Global Collaborative Classroom (GCC) http://cgs.gmu.edu/gcc
Designed new model for internationalizing classrooms by researching and
identifying best practices from peer institutions, analyzing gaps and feasibility at
Mason, setting GCC program structure based on advice from experts and future
stakeholders and developing implementation and five-year plan. Integrated industry
standard Global Learning rubrics and assessment tools into course requirements.
Manage program outreach by targeting relevant faculty, creating marketing
materials and copy and presenting on GCC in various meetings and events. Manage

proposal and award process and budget for overall GCC program.
Developed training and workshops for GCC faculty. Support faculty with
operational needs related to their course delivery including developing instructions
for use of technology tools, ordering equipment, obtaining account accesses for
international partners and other needs as they arise. Work closely with faculty to
monitor adherence to GCC pedagogical best practices for each course and track
budgets.

Travel risk management software implementation and campus-wide travel procedures

development/writing team. January 2015 December 2015
Developed work flow for new campus-wide travel management mandate by
identifying Masons multiple current practices, integrating industry standard
operating procedures and liaising with stakeholders and end users.
Gathered and aligned highly disparate expectations of campus stakeholders and
project partners by negotiating scope of work and budget, educating on capability of
the software and suggesting alternatives when needed. Created and monitored
multipronged work plan (shared with team on Google drive) that included roles and
responsibilities, progress trackers and work product deadlines. Managed budget and
the close out process for the project.
Managed communications between software company (Terra Dotta) and internal
technical experts. Trained users and led implementation teams.
Used work of peer institutions and personal international knowledge to co-create a
new handbook for university-mandated procedures for international travel.
Masons global activities database and partnership tracker, the Global Register. 2012-2014
Designed and managed creation of the Global Register which has resulted in better
coordination of Masons global activities. https://globalregister.gmu.edu/
Synthesized existing soft and hard copy data to determine database categories.
Identified field type and name requirements. Met with faculty and administrators to
ascertain needs and solicit information. Negotiated agreements for long-term data
updates to ensure long-term viability.
Created marketing materials and communications plans. Presented the database at
meetings of all levels and sizes to incentivize use, data sharing and awareness.
Guided work of web developer by seeking and integrating his expertise into
requests. Tested tool through every stage for functionality and usability.
Maintain tool by creating, soliciting and editing content. Market the database to
potential users/stakeholders.
Additional Projects
Manage $50,000 grant from CISCO Systems Inc. for the Global Collaborative
Classrooms program. Maintain relationship with corporate donor.
Represent the Global Offices interests on university committees and at Masons
internal and external educational events. Make presentations and summary reports.
Conducted long-range research project reviewing the global administrative
structures and initiatives of peer institutions in support of benchmarking Masons
global planning and restructuring efforts. Developed research questions, completed
research, synthesized and analyzed findings and drafted report. 2015
Initiated, planned and directed creation of new Global Office website resulting in a
greatly improved web presence. 2014. Currently manage website submissions,
editing and analytics. http://masonglobal.gmu.edu/
Office Management:
Managed day-to-day operations for office of 12-15 faculty and staff, handled all maintenance

requests, allocated workspace, liaised with telecomm office, coordinated hiring and training
and other office needs and requests as they arose.
Supervised administrative assistant and student assistants.
Led office meetings and prepared background materials and agendas.
Managed procurement, monitored monthly expenditures, prepared financial
reconciliations and supported budgeting for proposals.
Managed internal human resource functions including drafting position
descriptions, advising on HR policies, serving on search committees, overseeing the
onboarding of new employees, supporting supervisors work on performance
management and managing annual evaluation process. Hired, trained and
supervised interns.
Designed new or enhanced existing key processes, presented proposals to Vice
President and managed implementation after approval. Supported strategic
planning. Communicated information to external and internal audiences.
International Experience:
Two-week student recruitment trip to Moscow, Russia for Masons Dual Degree
Program with Moscow State University. Created marketing material, managed table
at student registration events and collaborated with Moscow State Administrator to
design program improvements and solve issues of existing students. 2011
India Steering Committee Operationalized faculty exchange partnership with
FLAME University, developed meeting agenda, advised on and managed logistics
for thematic events. 2015
Study Abroad, Economic Reforms and Private Business in Cuba, University of
Havana. 2014
Independent Learning Abroad - Spanish Language, Academa Columbus Costa Rica.
2013
Student Exchange Abroad - Mid Sweden University. Fall 2006
International scholar and delegation support provided close support to visiting
scholars and multi-week training groups from India, Kurdistan, China, Russia,
Ukraine and South Korea. Utilized a range of cross-cultural communication skills to
organize and attend meals, find housing, give campus tours, set-up offices and
troubleshoot technology. 2010 2013
Outreach:
Committee Service
University website resources working group. Current
Chaired two classified staff search-committees and member of three others.
Serve on staff exchange final selection committee. 2013-present
Presentations
Poster at Innovations in Teaching and Learning Conference, Fairfax, VA. September
2015
Presented at NAFSA (International Education) regional conference in 2011, 2012 and
2013 and COIL (Online International Learning) conference in 2016
Administrative Support, 2010-2014

Served as Vice Presidents executive assistant by managing the VPs calendar and
organizing meetings on the VPs behalf. Other VP support included taking meeting
minutes, researching, drafting and editing reports and presentations.
Coordinated international travel for office personnel including flight, hotel and
transportation arrangements. Supported personnel abroad as needed by covering

duties, attending meetings as representative and handling unexpected logistical

requirements. Provide administrative support for conferences, trainings and
workshops.
Created and maintained physical and electronic files regarding potential, past and
current international opportunities and partnerships.
Carried out fiscal responsibilities including preparing approval requests for VP and
Global Office staff, processing invoices and other purchasing for the Global Office
and auditing requests.

Home Depot Import Distribution Center, Winchester, VA

Administrative Assistant, 2007-2010

Coordinated travel arrangements and reservations, including airfare, car rentals and
accommodations.
Created and maintained file and record system. Wrote and edited communications
for the management team. Prepared spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations and
marketing materials for eight managers.
Served as liaison between HR and associates. Implemented new employee
orientation scheduling, application process, interviews and training. Tracked
associate attendance and assisted with payroll.
Planned and organized events for up to 150 associates. Selected menus, tracked
budgets and coordinated events.
Processed requisitions, purchase orders, receipt of goods/services, monitored and
reconciled internal accounts.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT and AWARDS

Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, 2014, Global Affairs Masters Program,
George Mason University
Supervisor Series Certificate, 2014, George Mason University
Third Place in Toastmasters Area 21 Humorous Speech Contest, October 2014
Toastmasters International, Member, 2013-Present, George Mason University
Outstanding Support Award Recipient, October 2012, George Mason University

EDUCATION
Project Management MOOCs
2015
Project Management: The Basics for Success, University of California, Irvine
Fundamentals of Project Planning and Management, University of Virginia
George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
2012- 2014
MA in Global Affairs, Global Governance and Public Management Concentration. GPA: 3.97
Academic Work: http://richena.weebly.com/
Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN
20032007
BA in Music. Minor: International Relations. GPA: 3.69
Internship: The Documentary Channel, Nashville, TN