Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Websites
PUBLICATIONS
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
ACCEPTED CONFERENCE PAPERS
ACADEMIC SUPERVISION
ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES
LANGUAGES
ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES
REFERENCES
Timeline
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Alana Smith

St. Augustine

Summary

Skilled Communications professional with experience in strategic messaging, media relations, and content creation. Effective in managing internal and external communications, supporting brand reputation, and engaging diverse audiences. Strong interpersonal and presentation skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments and communicate effectively with diverse audiences.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience

Work History

Lecturer

UWI Global Campus
09.2024 - Current
  • Planned and delivered lectures on key communication topics to enhance course effectiveness.
  • Liaised with administrative staff to ensure smooth course delivery within department.
  • Developed grading rubric for student assignments to standardize evaluation criteria.
  • Provided feedback to students based on performance, addressing concerns and questions.
  • Facilitated discussions on communication concepts to promote engagement among students.
  • Graded student assignments promptly to support academic progress.

Lecturer

UWI Roytec
09.2024 - Current
  • Liaise with administrative staff and communications studies and literature in education lectures to ensure the effective delivery of all courses within the department
  • Plan and deliver lectures on salient communication topics
  • Generate discussion on communication concepts
  • Develop grading rubric for students' assignments
  • Give feedback to students based on their performance, concerns, and/or questions
  • Grade students' assignments

Lecturer & Tutor

UWI St Augustine Campus
09.2017 - Current
  • Liaise with administrative staff and communications studies and literature in education lectures to ensure the effective delivery of all courses within the department
  • Plan and deliver lectures on salient communication topics
  • Generate discussion on communication concepts
  • Develop grading rubric for students' assignments
  • Give feedback to students based on their performance, concerns, and/or questions
  • Grade students' assignments

Internal Communications Officer

UWI Marketing & Communications Office
03.2025 - 03.2025
  • Authored press releases to enhance organizational visibility.
  • Spearheaded weekly internal communication updates for improved staff engagement.
  • Supervised administrative staff to ensure efficient operations.
  • Updated digital screens with relevant information and announcements.
  • Composed speeches for senior staff, aligning messaging with strategic goals.

Internal Communications Officer (Ag.)

UWI Marketing & Communications Office
10.2024 - 11.2024
  • Authored press releases to effectively communicate key organizational updates.
  • Spearheaded weekly internal communications to enhance team engagement and information flow.
  • Supervised administrative staff, ensuring efficient operations and task execution.
  • Updated digital screens with relevant information to maintain visibility of important announcements.
  • Composed speeches for senior staff, aligning messaging with strategic objectives.

Internal Communications Officer (Ag.)

UWI Marketing & Communications Office
06.2024 - 06.2024
  • Drafted and formatted internal communications for staff dissemination.
  • Composed external communications, including speeches, website content, articles, and press releases.
  • Supervised clerical assistant duties to ensure efficient operations.

Communication and Information Specialist

Family Court of Trinidad and Tobago
04.2013 - 08.2016
  • Supervised departmental staff to enhance operational efficiency within the Unit.
  • Developed informational literature aimed at stakeholders to facilitate understanding.
  • Planned and hosted company events for regional delegations and local dignitaries.
  • Executed outreach programs to strengthen community engagement efforts.
  • Guided development of company policies and procedures to ensure compliance.
  • Authored press releases and speeches to effectively communicate key messages.
  • Updated Court's webpage with relevant information to maintain current resources.
  • Advised Section Heads on communications-related issues to improve strategic messaging.

Corporate Communications Officer/ Corporate Communications Manager (Ag.)

Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA)
10.2010 - 03.2013
  • Supervised departmental staff to ensure timely completion of daily tasks.
  • Executed media monitoring and marketing strategies across traditional and social platforms.
  • Drafted speeches for CEO and Chairman of the Board to convey key messages.
  • Planned and hosted company events to enhance employee engagement.
  • Formulated and executed public relations strategies to strengthen stakeholder relationships.
  • Liaised with media representatives to manage communications effectively.
  • Drafted budgetary estimates and departmental policies related to corporate social responsibility.
  • Submitted reports to CEO highlighting concerns within health facilities.

Part-time Tutor (Communications Research Methods)

The University of the West Indies (Mona Campus), Jamaica
01.2010 - 05.2010
  • Provided instruction on communication theories and practices to enhance student understanding.
  • Collaborated with senior lecturers to refine course content and structure.
  • Evaluated in-class and take-home assignments to measure student comprehension.

Project Assistant

UWI Harp Mona, Jamaica
09.2009 - 05.2010
  • Researched regional and national HIV and AIDS strategies to inform program development.
  • Participated in meetings to generate ideas for HIV-related programs at The University of the West Indies.

Part-Time Tutor (Managerial Communications)

University of The West Indies (Mona Campus), Jamaica
09.2009 - 12.2009
  • Educated students on communication's role in business management effectiveness.
  • Collaborated with senior lecturers to improve course content and structure.
  • Evaluated in-class and take-home assignments to assess student performance.

Political Reporter

WIN TV
06.2008 - 09.2008
  • Attended press conferences to gather information on significant social issues.
  • Interviewed key individuals to obtain insights for news coverage.
  • Wrote accurate news stories broadcasted during major newscasts.
  • Voiced stories for live newscasts, ensuring clarity and engagement.

News Reporter

Radio Vision Limited (Power 102 FM)
05.2007 - 06.2008
  • Covered press conferences to gather firsthand information on social issues.
  • Conducted interviews with key individuals to provide in-depth analysis.
  • Wrote accurate news stories and headlines for major updates and hourly broadcasts.
  • Reviewed hourly headlines and major newscasts to ensure accuracy and relevance.

Accounting Clerk

CLICO Trinidad Limited
11.2006 - 04.2007
  • Maintained accurate accounting records to ensure financial integrity.
  • Verified received funds against disbursed funds for consistency and accuracy.

Communications Assistant

Ministry of Legal Affairs
05.2006 - 11.2006
  • Crafted press releases to communicate key messages effectively.
  • Planned and executed media events, including press conferences, to enhance visibility.
  • Assisted in implementing promotional programs and strategies to engage target audiences.

Education

Ph.D. - Human Communications

UWI St. Augustine Campus
12-2026

Bachelor of Arts - Linguistics (Honours)

UWI, St. Augustine Campus
05-2007

Master of Arts - Communication Studies (Honors)

UWI Mona Campus
05-2007

Skills

  • Digital & Social Marketing Management (Expected completion: May 2025)
  • Radio Broadcasting
  • Protocol
  • Event Management
  • Project Management
  • Administrative Management

Affiliations

  • UWI Postgraduate Scholarship Recipient (2020)

PUBLICATIONS

  • Dis/Articulating Ideological Norms in Jamaican HIV Reporting, Social Thought and Research, 37 (1), 2025.
  • HIV Reporting: A Quantitative Case Study of the Gleaner Media Co. Ltd., Tout Moun 8 (1), November 16, 2023.
  • Book Review: Media Freedom by Damian Tambini, London School of Economics, October 26, 2022.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

  • HIV, The Media & You One UWI Postgraduate Student Conference Preparing for the New Global Era: Voices of Future Leaders Online Conference, 2023 Won Best Oral Presentation
  • HIV Language: A Case Study of The Gleaner Company Limited CARIMAC Research Conference Kingston Jamaica, 2010

ACCEPTED CONFERENCE PAPERS

  • The Power of Our Words: HIV Reporting in Jamaica, Caribbean Studies Association (CSA) Conference, St. Lucia, 2024

ACADEMIC SUPERVISION

  • HUMN 3099 (Caribbean Studies Project), An Analysis of how journalists in Trinidad and Tobago communicate the rising cost of food prices, Sachell Harper (Undergraduate student)

ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

  • 2024 Summer School Coordinator, Department of Literary, Cultural and Communication Studies
  • 2023 Summer School Coordinator, Department of Literary, Cultural and Communication Studies
  • Examiner for COMS 3099 (Language and Communication Seminar), 2019 - Present
  • Examiner for HUMN 3099 (Caribbean Studies Project), 2023
  • Academic Advisor, 2017-present
  • Communication Studies Representative (UWI STA Open Day), 07/2022

LANGUAGES

English
First Language
Spanish
Intermediate (B1)
B1

ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

  • 2025 Summer School Coordinator: Department of Literary, Cultural and Communication Studies
  • 2024 Summer School Coordinator: Department of Literary, Cultural and Communication Studies
  • 2023 Summer School Coordinator: Department of Literary, Cultural and Communication Studies
  • Examiner for COMS 3099 (Language and Communication Seminar): 2019 – Present
  • Examiner for HUMN 3099 (Caribbean Studies Project) Students: 2023
  • Academic Advisor: 2017-present • Communication Studies Representative (UWI STA Open Day): July 2022

REFERENCES

  • Latoya Bartholomew (Ph.D.) Lecturer and Postgraduate Coordinator Communication Studies Program UWI, St. Augustine Campus (868) 317-0549 Latoya.Bartholomew@uwi.edu
  • Zuwena Williams-Paul (Ph.D.), Lecturer (UWI Roytec), Mediation, HR & Training Consultant (868) 346-8953 zuwenaw@gmail.com
  • Douglas-Wade Brunton (Ph.D.) Lecturer and Undergraduate Coordinator Communication Studies Programme UWI, St. Augustine Campus (868) 347-1587 Douglas-Wade.Brunton@.uwi.edu

Timeline

Internal Communications Officer

UWI Marketing & Communications Office
03.2025 - 03.2025

Internal Communications Officer (Ag.)

UWI Marketing & Communications Office
10.2024 - 11.2024

Lecturer

UWI Global Campus
09.2024 - Current

Lecturer

UWI Roytec
09.2024 - Current

Internal Communications Officer (Ag.)

UWI Marketing & Communications Office
06.2024 - 06.2024

Lecturer & Tutor

UWI St Augustine Campus
09.2017 - Current

Communication and Information Specialist

Family Court of Trinidad and Tobago
04.2013 - 08.2016

Corporate Communications Officer/ Corporate Communications Manager (Ag.)

Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA)
10.2010 - 03.2013

Part-time Tutor (Communications Research Methods)

The University of the West Indies (Mona Campus), Jamaica
01.2010 - 05.2010

Project Assistant

UWI Harp Mona, Jamaica
09.2009 - 05.2010

Part-Time Tutor (Managerial Communications)

University of The West Indies (Mona Campus), Jamaica
09.2009 - 12.2009

Political Reporter

WIN TV
06.2008 - 09.2008

News Reporter

Radio Vision Limited (Power 102 FM)
05.2007 - 06.2008

Accounting Clerk

CLICO Trinidad Limited
11.2006 - 04.2007

Communications Assistant

Ministry of Legal Affairs
05.2006 - 11.2006

Ph.D. - Human Communications

UWI St. Augustine Campus

Bachelor of Arts - Linguistics (Honours)

UWI, St. Augustine Campus

Master of Arts - Communication Studies (Honors)

UWI Mona Campus

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Alana Smith