Laura Pagani

Student Services Specialist | Program & Operations Lead – CGLL

Design, coordinate, and deliver high-impact graduate programs and initiatives that enhance student experience, professional development, and industry engagement.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the planning, coordination, and promotion of large-scale graduate events, professional development programs, and signature ceremonies, ranging from small workshops to events with 400+ attendees.
• Co-manage employer outreach and strategic partnerships through the Accelerate to Industry (A2i) initiative, connecting graduate students with regional and international employers through career-focused programming.
• Contribute to the development of a new alumni engagement strategy, integrating alumni into programs, events, and mentorship initiatives.
• Manage the Graduate Life Ambassadors (GLA) Program, supervising and coordinating a team of student leaders supporting campus-wide initiatives.
• Oversee academic course administration, including scheduling and processing Part-Time Faculty contracts.
• Track program data, metrics, and KPIs to assess impact, inform decisions, and drive continuous improvement.
• Serve as Business Services Coordinator for CGLL, managing purchasing, procurement, and budget tracking to ensure compliant and efficient operations.

Previous experience includes:

• Postdoctoral HR Administration: Managed end-to-end HR processes for ~60 postdoctoral scholars annually, including onboarding, contracts, benefits, compliance, salary actions, and background checks; trained and supported departmental administrators across the university.
• Graduate Academic Support: Co-facilitated thesis and dissertation submission processes, providing training and guidance on formatting and compliance for graduate students and faculty.
• Adjunct Instructor – Italian Language & Culture | UNC Charlotte
  Taught Italian language and cultural studies within the Education Department, designing and delivering engaging, student-centered instruction in a university setting.

Professional Engagement:

• Member, Forty-Niner First-Gen Support (F1GS)
• Member, Event Planners Council

International Experience (Europe)

• HR & Organizational Development | Volvo Group
  Developed experience in core HR functions with a focus on people development, talent support, and organizational effectiveness. Expanded into business-facing roles, contributing to dealer and workshop development strategies, training programs, and international initiatives supporting business growth.
• Professional Journalist (since 2006)
  Member of the Order of Journalists of Italy, with experience in content development, media communication, and event-related storytelling, strengthening strategic communication and stakeholder engagement skills.