RESUME

EDUCATION

Drake University: 2008 - 2010
Master of Arts in Teaching: Secondary Education, English, Reading, Journalism (+9 credits toward English as a Second Language [ESL] endorsement)

Central College: 2004 - 2008
Bachelor of Arts in English with a Writing Emphasis

Additional Coursework:

• Drake University, TESL 215: Teaching Reading & Writing to English Language Learners, Summer 2021

• Iowa State University, HPC 582: Histories of Public Schooling in the United States, Spring 2019

• University of California at Santa Barbara, Summer Sessions in Spanish I-II, Summer 2007

• Semester Abroad in London, Fall 2006

EXPERIENCE

Kirkwood Community College: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Operations Coordinator, September 2023 - present

• Plan, promote, and coordinate logistics for 80+ events annually, including ceremonies, art exhibits, lectures, and performances

• Collaborate with faculty and staff to plan and execute campus visits, tours, and orientations

• Serve as the point of contact for Kirkwood Marketing to facilitate website updates and create print and digital pieces

• Manage social media strategy: Increased Facebook reach by 110% and content interactions by 86% through strategic planning and audience engagement

• Expand Instagram presence: Boosted reach by 7,000%, generating over 167,000 post views and 18,000 story views

• Hire and supervise teams of student workers

• Coordinate internal and external entertainment and contract requests for events and payments

• Work closely with the Kirkwood Foundation to award discipline-specific scholarships

• Serve as program advisor to Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society

City of Cedar Rapids: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Communications Specialist, February 2022 - September 2023

• Acted as the communications lead for Utilities (drinking water, wastewater, and solid waste management) and Sustainability

• Designed and executed data-driven communication strategies to enhance public awareness and engagement

• Collaborated with local and state government entities, organizations, vendors, designers, and media 

• Planned and hosted resident engagement events, reaching hundreds annually and fostering community involvement

• Drafted and refined speeches for City leadership to effectively communicate with public audiences and media outlets

• Produced and edited web content, social media posts, documents, presentations, newsletters, white papers, and magazine stories to ensure consistent messaging

• Produced and disseminated the annual Water Quality Report to meet regulatory requirements and inform the public

• Wrote media releases; responded to media inquiries and coordinate requests

• Prepared budget for community outreach events and educational activities

• Served on committees: Sustainability and Equitable Engagement

Iowa State University College of Engineering: Ames, Iowa
Engineering Communications Specialist, August 2016 - February 2022

• Planned and executed marketing campaigns across print and digital media for diverse audiences

• Organized and promoted events for faculty, staff, and students

• Created annual Impact Reports and wrote speeches for leadership

• Ensured consistent branding across all promotional materials

• Served on department committees for Strategic Planning, Outreach, and Diversity & Inclusion

• Collaborated with other offices to update recruitment letters and brochures and campus tour scripts for prospective students

• Partnered with other departments and offices to promote events and share relevant information with current students, including monthly student email newsletters using Mailchimp

• Used Adobe InDesign and Photoshop to create graphics and layouts

• Collaborated with Web Developer to oversee transition to new department website organization and template within WordPress

• Created and posted content for multiple websites and social media accounts, using WordPress, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

• Partnered with faculty on creating a departmental podcast webpage

• Attended trainings on Digital Accessibility and SiteImprove

• Recruited, hired, and supervised student interns

• Collaborated remotely with cross-functional teams for 2.5 years, leveraging virtual tools to execute campaigns and events

• Member of department Strategic Planning Committee for Outreach and Diversity and Inclusion teams

PCM Community School District: Monroe, Iowa
English and Journalism Teacher; English Department Head, July 2010 - June 2016

• Taught high-level reading, writing, and media skills to students grades 9-12

• Worked with teachers and associates across content areas and grade levels to create tailored lesson plans

• Assessed and evaluated student data in reading comprehension success

• Advised, edited and promoted PCM’s award-winning weekly student print and digital newspaper

• Served as a member of student IEP teams and regularly met with students and families on these teams

• Attended and presented at various education conferences around Iowa 

• Led staff trainings on teaching trends and best practices

American Campus Communities at Drake University: Des Moines, Iowa
Resident Director, June 2008 - December 2009

• Designed marketing materials; planned and hosted events for prospective and current residents

• Supervised undergraduate and graduate student staff

• Created training materials; led training sessions for staff members

• Conducted competitive market survey research on area apartment homes; compiled and analyzed leasing data

Central College Marketing and Media Relations: Pella, Iowa
Writing Assistant, August 2005 - May 2008

• Wrote and edited press releases and stories for local newspapers and magazines

• Assisted with writing and editing of the college alumni magazine

• Interviewed students and alumni on campus and around the world

Central College Ray: Pella, Iowa
Editor in Chief, August 2005 - May 2008

• Led weekly staff meetings and assigned all newspaper coverage

• Write and edited stories; took and edited photos; designed page layouts

• Sold advertisements to local businesses

Pella Chronicle: Pella, Iowa
Correspondent Reporter, March 2007 - June 2007

• Covered school board meetings and community events

• Wrote articles and took photos for the newspaper

This is London Magazine: London, England
Writing, Editing and Reporting Intern, September 2006 - December 2006

• Attended press events around London during a semester abroad

• Wrote and edited articles and ads; took and edited photos; designed page layouts

Upward Bound: Pella, Iowa
Tutor Counselor, June 2006 - July 2006

• Worked with future first-generation college students and low-income high school students

• Helped students to discuss and develop college and career goals as well as personal and social goals

• Taught high school students in extracurricular summer courses

• Was responsible for 10 high school students in a college dorm setting

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge: Prairie City, Iowa
Educator, June 2005 - July 2005

• Created historical museum displays about prairie life

• Led tours of the museum’s learning center and the prairie landscape

• Taught students ages 3-18 about the history of the Iowa prairie

• Wrote articles for the refuge newsletter

Knoxville Public Library: Knoxville, Iowa
Librarian Assistant, May 2002 - May 2005

• Led children’s activities and summer reading programs

• Assisted patrons with searches for resources and information

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Iowa Public Radio
Table Marketing, October 2019

Iowa State University
Engineering International Programs Volunteer, October 2017 - April 2018

Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau
Special Events Volunteer, October 2016 - October 2017

Reiman Gardens
Special Events Volunteer, October 2016 - October 2017

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa
Mentor, June 2015 - August 2016

Blank Park Zoo
Zoo Brew Guest Services, June 2013 - July 2016

Des Moines Arts Festival
Guest Surveys and Information Booth, June 2013 - June 2016

Central College Organic Garden
Gardener, July 2010 - May 2015

Des Moines Winefest
Assistant, July 2006 - July 2009

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Photographer, July 2008 - August 2008