Marcia J. Towers

Marcia J. Towers

Current Address: Permanent Address:

4035 Howley St., Apt. 2 2010 Old Rothsville Rd.

Pittsburgh, PA 15224 Lititz, PA 17543

[phone] [phone]

[e-mail]

Summary of Qualifications:

A flexible, dedicated professional with exceptional cross-cultural adaptability, a strong technical background, and fluency to conduct business in Spanish. A confident individual adept in writing, presentations, and quantitative analysis. Areas of knowledge include:

 Project Management  Disaster Recovery

 International Development  Latin American context

Education:

Master of Public and International Affairs: International Development

University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.

Expected Graduation: April 2003; Current GPA: 3.8/4.0

• 
  Relevant classes: Latin America in the Global Economy; Economics of Development; Micropolitics of NGOs and Civil Society; U.S. Policies in Latin America; Political Economy of Development.
  

Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering

Virginia Polytechnic & State University, Blacksburg, VA

Graduation: May 2000; Overall GPA: 3.9/4.0

Experience:

Development Intern; ALFALIT* and Reformed Church of El Salvador

San Salvador, El Salvador, September 2000 – August 2001

• 
  Participated in grassroots development programs such as micro-credit lending, community education, environmental restoration, community organizing, agricultural cooperatives, and eco-tourism.
  
• 
  Contributed integrally to ALFALIT^* efforts in the emergency and reconstruction after experiencing two devastating earthquakes in January and February 2001.
  
• 
  Worked as primary planner and coordinator for a program to receive North American groups to help in reconstruction efforts. Returned to El Salvador in December 2001 at request of the director of ALFALIT to conduct a workshop about this program.
  
• 
  Served as Communications Director, informing international supporters about ALFALIT’s emergency and reconstruction activities during the earthquake aftermath.
  
• 
  Learned indispensable need for community ownership and leadership in community projects.
  
• 
  Received plaque of appreciation for “invaluable support,” dedication, and cultural understanding.
  

Independent Research on Dollarization in El Salvador, San Salvador, June-August 2002

• 
  Examined the effects of the recent dollarization (implemented in January, 2001) on the lives of the poor in El Salvador, particularly street vendors and small businesses owners.
  
• 
  Conducted interviews in five communities around the country as well as with local organizations with knowledge in this area.
  
• 
  Processing the information to publish a report and to give back to the interviewed communities.
  

Marcia Towers, Page 2

Experience (cont.)

Research Assistant for Study on Management Issues in Non-profits, October 2001 – May 2002

Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA), University of Pittsburgh

• 
  Investigated factors affecting recruitment and retention of professional staff in nonprofit human service and community development organizations.
  
• 
  Conducted two focus groups and seventeen interviews with directors and professionals from local nonprofit agencies; processed data and wrote final report to be published.
  

Mexican Border Volunteer through Presbyterian Church USA

Reynosa, Mexico, May - August 1999

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  Became familiar with U.S.-Mexican border issues, especially immigration and maquiladoras.
  
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  Worked with local community by leading activities in girls’ support club to encourage continued education and build self-esteem.
  

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  Coordinated plans and led educational activities for U.S. groups who visited each week.
  

IBM Personal Systems Group, Industrial Engineering Co-op

Research Triangle Park, NC, January 97 - May 97 and May 98 - December 98

• 
  Defined project goals, tasks and schedules; calculated project budgets; and presented plans to management.
  
• 
  Managed installation of a new manufacturing line automated packing system.
  
• 
  Participated in teams and interacted daily with various engineering departments, engineers from Scotland, construction contractors, and manufacturing employees.
  

Other Skills:

Spanish Fluency

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  Professionally translated 300 page doctoral dissertation from Spanish to English, June-August 2002
  
• 
  Worked in a purely Spanish-speaking setting in El Salvador, frequently writing and translating in a business context, Sept 2000-Aug 2001 and June-August 2002.
  

Computer Skills

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  Extensively used AutoCAD, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Project, Microsoft PowerPoint, Lotus Smartsuite, C++, and Microsoft Frontpage (webpage program).
  

Awards and Publications:

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  Alumni Fellows Award, Fellowship from GSPIA, University of Pittsburgh, 2001-2003
  
• 
  Publication: “Human Resource Challenges Of Human Service And Community Development Organizations: Recruitment And Retention Of Professional Staff” by Carolyn Ban, Alexis Drahnak-Faller, and Marcia Towers, currently awaiting responses for publication.
  

Community Involvement:

Reconciliation and Mission Program of Presbyterian Church, USA

Santa Fe, New Mexico, August-September 2000

• 
  Shared in five-week cross-cultural experience with Central and North Americans in community.
  
• 
  Explored cultural differences, Central-North American relations, globalization and social justice.
  

Virginia Tech Habitat for Humanity, 1997-2000

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  Vice President of Construction, 1999-2000, Fundraising Committee Head, 1999
  

Cooper House Board Member, 1996-2000

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  Cooper House organizes educational lunches on local, global, and human rights issues.
  

Presbyterian Student Fellowship, 1995-2000; President, 1996-97; Study/work trip to Mexico, 1998.

YMCA Tutor for High School students, 1999

* ALFALIT is a locally based non-governmental organization that works in various grassroots community development efforts