Melinda Rogers

About Melinda Rogers

I work in community relations with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Our team members host a variety of external stakeholder events across the country in which we share information and obtain feedback on USCIS programs, policies, and initiatives. As the federal government agency that administers immigration benefits, USCIS works to make a meaningful impact on the country as a nation of welcome and possibility with fairness, integrity, and respect for all who seek out services. I work in the southeast region with field offices in Tennessee, Arkansas and South Carolina. Prior to joining the federal service and public administration field, I spent years developing communications strategies for higher education and healthcare organizations in various public affairs roles. I’m also a skilled storyteller with experience in journalism and media relations. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ABOUT ME: » Especially skilled at building effective, productive relationships in community and media. » Passion for public service and organizations that seek to make a difference in communities. » Ability to plan strategically and execute multiple complex projects on tight deadlines. » Fosters creative ideas and launches new integrated communication and digital platforms designed to connect communities. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • WHAT I BRING: »Ability to drive visibility of organizations by collaborating on communications planning, strategy, and content creation. » Leader who built and grew a department from the ground up at top-ranked university. » Passion for nonprofits and organizations designed to foster positive social change. » Experience integrating marketing/ philanthropy initiatives into communication strategy. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CORE COMPETENCIES: Leadership | Writing | Editing | Community Relations | Research | Reporting | Communications | Print Production | Strategic Communication | Public / Media Relations | Problem Solving | Social Media Marketing | Cross-Functional Collaboration | Advertising | Project Management

Experience

1. Community Relations Specialist, Southeast Region

   Uscis

   Jul 2024 — Present · Nashville, TN, US

   Collaborates in supporting federal agency’s mission, creating and executing engagement plans. Specializes in bridging gaps between organizations and the communities they serve through building trust, fostering relationships, enhancing stakeholder engagement and driving initiatives that create lasting impact.Served as the public face for a portion of the federal government’s S22 region of USCIS.o Developed new presence in Nashville, Tenn. to reach one of the nation’s highest populations of immigrants eligible to naturalize and cultivated relationships with stakeholders encouraging them to pursue citizenship.o Managed the Southeast Region’s public outreach program for the states of Tennessee, Arkansas and South Carolina to ensure effective delivery of USCIS programs and policies.o Researched and analyzed immigrant demographics, communities and programs of interest to inform future outreach plans and strategy.o Educated stakeholders about USCIS policies and programs by coordinating forums, community meetings and other special eventso Monitored regional inbox and elevated crisis issues related to field offices and headquarters. Served as initial agency contact for immigrant service providers, educators, legal advocates, government and inter-agency partners and immigrants themselves.

Education

• University of Utah

  Master of Public Administration (MPA)

• University of Minnesota

  BA

Skills

• Blogging
• Feature Articles
• Copy Editing
• Headline Writing
• Publications
• Editing
• Newspapers
• Newspaper
• Social Networking
• Social Media
• Newsprint
• Online Journalism
• Research
• Editorial
• Press Releases
• Public Relations
• Media Relations
• Storytelling
• Writing
• Strategic Communications
• Journalism