RESUME
HONORS AND AWARDS
Iowa State University College of Engineering Inclusive Excellence Award
In recognition of Iowa State University faculty and staff who have exhibited dedication and superior service toward enhancing diversity and inclusion. Received in September 2020
Iowa State University Cardinal Women* Selection
Named to the 2020-21 cohort of Cardinal Women*, a growth and leadership opportunity for professional women* of ISU. Named in September 2020
Central College Calliope Award
The Calliope Award is named for Muse Epic poetry and is awarded annually to the student English major who has demonstrated creativity and intellectual curiosity. Received in May 2008
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
CONFERENCES ATTENDED
National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) Strategic Communications: H2O Workshop
Santa Fe, New Mexico - June 2023
Growing Sustainable Communities
Dubuque, Iowa - October 2022
US Water Alliance: One Water Summit
Milwaukee, Wisconsin - September 2022
National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) Strategic Communications: H2O Workshop
Milwaukee, Wisconsin - June 2022
American Marketing Association - Higher Education
Las Vegas, Nevada - November 2019
Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Heads Association (ECEDHA) - Communicators Group
Monterey, California - March 2018
CASE Multimedia Workshop for Higher Education
Los Angeles, California - June 2017
EXPERIENCE
City of Cedar Rapids: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Communications Specialist, February 2022 - present
Serve as main communications liaison for several divisions, including Utilities (drinking water, wastewater and solid waste management) and Sustainability
Develop and implement data-driven communication strategies for several divisions
Provide critical and time-sensitive information and educational programming to City residents and customers via social media, news releases and WENS text/email alerts
Partner with staff to create and send email newsletters using Constant Contact
Plan and host City events for resident engagement
Develop and edit website content, documents, presentations, reports, newsletters, magazine stories, resident communications and more
Create, edit and maintain content for City website and webpages using Revize
Administer social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube) and track engagement data
Create and oversee production and distribution of annual Consumer Confidence Report (Water Quality Report) to ensure the report meets and exceeds all federal and state regulations
Write media releases; respond to media inquiries and coordinate requests
Partner with local and state governmental departments, organizations, and media for communications initiatives
Prepare budget for community outreach events and educational activities
Serve on various internal organizational committees, including for City-wide Sustainability and Equitable Engagement
Iowa State University College of Engineering: Ames, Iowa
Communications Specialist, August 2016 - February 2022
Strategically planned marketing campaigns using print and digital media for multiple academic departments at ISU
Created content for various audiences: Prospective students and families, current students, peer institutions, alumni, donors, industry members, general public
Promoted students, faculty, staff and alumni through writing, publishing and sharing print and digital content
Planned, executed and promoted events for faculty, staff, alumni, and current and prospective students
Compiled data, wrote and designed for annual department Impact Report, distributed to peer institutions nationwide
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
Implemented Iowa State University branding for all graphics, publications and promotional items
Attended trainings on Digital Accessibility and SiteImprove
Supervised undergraduate student interns
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