Adjunct Faculty

• Jan 2023 - Present

English as a Second Language/ Adult Basic Education English as a Second Language/ Adult Basic Education

English Language Teacher

• Oct 2022 - Present

Teaching adults and children in private lessons, remotely and in-person. Teaching adults and children in private lessons, remotely and in-person.

Early Literacy Coordinator

• Oct 2021 - Oct 2022

Communications and Events Manager

• Mar 2021 - Oct 2021

Writer/Editor

• Sep 2019 - Sep 2020

• Wrote, edited, fact-checked and shared news and feature stories for internal and external communication channels, including news site and top-level marketing pages • Served as liaison between OSC and a variety of colleges, departments, and news media/ conducted successful media pitches • Collaborated with Media Relations and Social Media teams to target content for a variety of audiences • Wrote, edited, fact-checked and shared news and feature stories for internal and external communication channels, including news site and top-level marketing pages • Served as liaison between OSC and a variety of colleges, departments, and news media/ conducted successful media pitches • Collaborated with Media Relations and Social Media teams to target content for a variety of audiences

Public Information Specialist

• 2017 - 2019

As the public relations professional for the WIU-Quad Cities campus, I worked to advance the University and the Quad Cities branch campus’s mission through print and digital marketing, generating and garnering publicity for events and programs, and serving as a representative and liaison with main-campus administration. • Developed and implemented online marketing efforts for Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube, as well as print publications • Improved frequency and quality of social content on existing pages/platforms (Facebook and Instagram); created branch-campus LinkedIn page; moderated and responded to user comments/messages • Wrote, edited and disseminated press releases and feature articles; successfully pitched stories to media and served as point person/ information source for local media • Created, launched, edited, posted and promoted WordPress blog • Wrote scripts, tag lines, and marketing copy for radio ads, TV commercials, billboards, and more • Collaborated on Quad Cities Chamber’s QC Colleges marketing campaign, a 2018 Collegiate Advertising Gold Award recipient • Took photos at campus events to improve visual presence on social media and create branch-campus photo library. Show less

Adult Basic Education/ESL/HSE instructor (with additional duties as Literacy Volunteer Coordinator)

• Oct 2011 - Jul 2015

In addition to teaching students in the ESL and Adult Basic Education programs, I was offered extra hours/responsibilities to fill in for the departing Lead Teacher by coordinating and promoting the Adult Literacy Volunteer program at the West Davenport Center. In addition to teaching students in the ESL and Adult Basic Education programs, I was offered extra hours/responsibilities to fill in for the departing Lead Teacher by coordinating and promoting the Adult Literacy Volunteer program at the West Davenport Center.

Public Information Specialist

• 2009 - Oct 2011

Promoted the University's image and mission through writing, proofreading, fact-checking and editing publications (including Campus Connection internal newsletter; quarterly Western News alumni newspaper; viewbooks; news releases; website and many other publications) for distribution to the University community, prospective students and parents, alumni, and the general public. • Produced publications from initial creative conception to final proof stage, collaborating closely with designers, marketing and public relations directors• Coordinated/responded to news-media queries and crisis contacts• Created engaging content for the University’s print and digital media, including launch of WordPress blog, "Beyond the Bell Tower"• Represented University Relations in University Marketing Working Group• Launched redesign of internal newsletter from printed publication e-newsletter format• Mentored student-workers and provided instruction on editing and AP Style Show less

Editorial Writer

• Mar 2006 - 2009

• Wrote, proofread, factchecked and edited publications, including internal newsletter; quarterly alumni newspaper; viewbooks; news releases; website and many other publications) for distribution to the University community, prospective students and parents, alumni, and the general public.• Adhered closely to AP Style guidelines and internal/University style rules, and ensured consistency of tone, messaging, and branding across multiple platforms.• Produced publications from initial creative conception to final proof stage, collaborating closely with graphic designers and webmasters Show less

Marketing Communications Coordinator

• Jan 2002 - Mar 2006

• Wrote and edited news and feature stories, as well as marketing copy, for college publications (including website, viewbook, alumni magazine, and e-newsletter) distributed to prospective students and parents, alumni & friends of the college, and local and national media • Served as a liaison between the college and local & national media by responding to reporters' queries, pitching feature stories, and writing and releasing feature stories for direct placement. • Lead and managed hometown news program detailing students' accomplishments • Wrote, edited, created and/or uploaded articles, photos, and links via web CMS • Collaborated on writing and creative conception for viewbook and other publications that were recognized for excellence twice by Council for Advancement and Support in Education. Show less

Education Reporter

• Mar 2000 - Feb 2002

• Conceived, researched, and wrote weekly "Six Degrees from Galesburg" column (Illinois Associated Press Editors’ Association Contest for Editorial Excellence) • Generated daily news coverage as well as independently produced, in-depth reportage and story-and-photo feature packages • Provided beat coverage on issues relating to regional public and private schools, as well as reportage of hard news and human interest stories, (assisting in police, fire, & courts coverage/breaking news) • Fostered relationships with sources/contacts in tri-county region. Show less

Staff Writer

• May 1999 - Mar 2000

• Generated daily news coverage and human interest stories, weekly column • Wrote stories and took all photographs for weekly Business section and bimonthly Lifestyles section • Provided proofreading, layout, and photography assistance for entire publication. • Generated daily news coverage and human interest stories, weekly column • Wrote stories and took all photographs for weekly Business section and bimonthly Lifestyles section • Provided proofreading, layout, and photography assistance for entire publication.