I am Isiah Niles Watson, a dedicated political science graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lycoming College. Throughout my academic and professional journey, I have developed a strong passion for public service, community engagement, and strategic communications. I thrive in fast-paced environments where I can contribute to meaningful civic initiatives and foster positive relationships between government and constituents.
Currently, I serve as the Special Assistant to the Mayor of Scranton, where I draft official proclamations, coordinate community events, and manage constituent services including the city’s 311 non-emergency hotline. My role involves collaborating with various action groups and leading outreach campaigns to support vulnerable populations, which has strengthened my skills in event planning, public relations, and government transparency.
Previously, I gained valuable experience in political campaigns and grassroots organizing, managing volunteer teams and executing voter engagement strategies that contributed to successful election outcomes. These roles enhanced my leadership abilities and my capacity to coordinate complex field operations.
In addition to my political and governmental work, I have experience in customer service and social media management, having worked as a crew member at Dunkin’ and as a Social Media Ambassador for Lycoming College. These experiences have honed my communication skills and my ability to engage diverse audiences effectively.
I am committed to leveraging my skills in constituent services, strategic communications, and event coordination to support public administration and community development. I am eager to continue growing professionally in roles that allow me to make a positive impact through collaborative leadership and innovative outreach.
Honors & Awards: Iruska (Leadership Honors Society) May 2020, Black Leader of the Future Award (Nominated by Lycoming College Senators) February 2020
Draft and coordinate official proclamations and letters of support on behalf of the Mayor’s Office for grant applications, elected officials, and community organizations. Co-authored three legislative resolutions establishing and honoring Scranton’s sister city relationships. Serve as a primary point of contact for constituent services, managing high-volume calls and emails, and operating the city’s 311 non-emergency hotline. Represent the Mayor’s Office on four action groups focused on the Arts, Hunger, Youth, and Unsheltered Populations. Plan and execute large-scale city events including State of the City, off-site cabinet meetings, regional mayoral summits, and intergovernmental collaborations. Lead the coordination of Monthly Mingle with Mayor Paige, a recurring community engagement event that fosters open dialogue between residents and city leadership. Organize and implement major community initiatives such as Pop-Up City Hall, Sprucin’ Up Scranton, and Beat the Heat — a summer outreach campaign co-developed to serve unsheltered residents. Curate rotating public art installations in City Hall’s vestibule to highlight local artists and foster civic pride. Manage the Mayor’s digital presence by serving as liaison to her social media accounts, helping shape tone, messaging, and engagement strategy. Created and launched Mayor’s Minute, a short-form civic update series designed to enhance government transparency and community connection using modern communication tools. Provide strategic and logistical support for citywide events, public forums, and collaborative projects with community partners.
Helped design and implement the campaigns field strategy, focusing on high-impact voter engagement. Led canvassing efforts, coordinated phone banking, and managed volunteer outreach across Scranton. Tracked voter contact data, ensured goals were met, and adjusted field tactics based on need. Collaborated closely with campaign leadership to align outreach with messaging priorities. Supported get-out-the-vote (GOTV) efforts and provided logistical support during public events and forums.
Managed an intern and led a grassroots team of 30+ active volunteers in Lackawanna County who knocked over 23,000 doors. Led weekly virtual strategy meetings that empowered volunteers for the upcoming week. Coordinated canvasses, office openings, phone-banks and text-banks with local county parties to build positive relationships. Organized a Get Out the Vote effort in Lackawanna County that outperformed 2020 election results for Senator elect John Fetterman and Governor elect Josh Shapiro. Conducted 10,000 targeted recruitment calls and 1,500 in person outreach visits to drive candidate engagement and program awareness.
Prepared and served food and beverages efficiently in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. Delivered excellent customer service by accurately fulfilling orders and addressing guest needs. Maintained store cleanliness and complied with health and safety protocols, including COVID-19 guidelines.
Represented Lycoming College as a Social Media Ambassador, promoting campus life on Instagram, and Facebook. Created engaging content by photographing student activities and events. Increased online engagement by scouting relevant stories and maintaining a consistent posting schedule. Posted on social media sites, including Facebook and Instagram on behalf of Lycoming College.
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