Stevie Mae Scott
City of Reno - Office of Policy & Strategy
Strategic Initiatives Internship
As a Strategic Initiatives Intern with the City of Reno, I contributed to projects that advanced the city’s long-term planning and community engagement goals. I played a key role in executing the 2025 Community Survey, supporting outreach at public events and developing strategies to engage underrepresented groups. In parallel, I helped gather, analyze, and summarize stakeholder feedback—including insights from residents, staff, and city leadership—to inform the city’s next five-year strategic plan. My work supported data-driven decision-making, inclusive engagement, and cross-department collaboration.
City of Reno
Office of Policy & Strategy
The Office of Policy and Strategy operates within the City Manager’s Office, supporting strategic planning, policy development, performance measurement, and special initiatives that guide Reno’s long-term vision. OPS collaborates cross-functionally to ensure alignment with leadership priorities and supports data-informed decision-making. Through this work, the office helps shape a more responsive and resilient future for the City of Reno.
Community Survey
To support the City's 2025 Community Survey, I played an active role in public engagement by presenting at and tabling five outreach events. I helped raise awareness of the survey and encouraged participation across diverse groups. I also developed and implemented tailored engagement strategies to reach key subgroups—such as young adults and underserved populations—ensuring broad and inclusive community input.
Strategic Planning
During my internship, I contributed to the development of the City of Reno’s five-year strategic plan by supporting the collection and analysis of stakeholder input. I helped gather insights from community members, city staff, and councilmembers through workshops and discussions. I performed trend analysis and synthesized qualitative feedback to prepare clear, actionable summaries that supported informed decision-making and long-term planning.
Insights & Reflections
This internship offered an incredible opportunity to apply my academic background in a real-world environment. I honed my skills in communication, cross-functional collaboration, and strategic planning. One of the most impactful experiences was participating in outreach strategy development—seeing how data, community feedback, and long-term vision come together in policymaking. I also learned how to translate complex information into clear, actionable formats for both internal stakeholders and the public. This experience has given me a deeper appreciation for public service and the role strategy plays in creating meaningful, equitable change.
Looking Ahead
This internship reinforced my interest in innovation, data-driven strategy, and cross-functional collaboration to solve complex challenges. I plan to pursue a dual Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) at the University of Nevada, Reno to deepen my expertise in business leadership and technology integration. My long-term goal is to lead initiatives that drive organizational growth, adaptability, and innovation in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Let's Connect
I'm passionate about building meaningful connections and exchanging ideas—let’s connect and collaborate!
Resume
If you’re interested in learning more about my background, experience, and skills, feel free to check out my resume.
With Gratitude
This internship experience would not have been possible without the support of the Nevada Career Studio and ASUN. Thank you for championing student success and creating impactful opportunities for professional growth and community connection.
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A heartfelt thank you to Carissa Bradley, my supervisor and mentor throughout this experience. Your guidance, encouragement, and trust in me have meant the world. Thank you for challenging me, advocating for me, and for being a model of thoughtful leadership. I am beyond grateful to have learned from you.
