Experience

North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

• United States
• Government Administration
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Digital Engagement Manager

  • Mar 2020 - Present

  Lead conceptual and technical development of the North Carolina Moonshine and Motorsports Trail, an internationally recognized cultural trail highlighting the significant intersection of distilling and stock car racing in North Carolina. Guide focus on rural areas and economies, utilizing this unique legacy to advocate for and highlight the unsung stories within this topic. Includes marketing and budgeting decisions, content writing and guidance, sourcing archival and contemporary images, and synthesizing broad narratives for media outlets. Act as point and outreach lead on Come Hear North Carolina, initiative of DNCR that supports North Carolina music and music history through sponsorships, blogs, rich imagery, and dialogue. Present at Folk Alliance International, arrange private and official showcases, including logistical and interpersonal work with artists. Maintain consistent on-brand language and narrative as official representative for the state of NC. Present and table at numerous festivals, and act as guide for brand and content presence at those festivals. Interview for and produce a breadth of blogs, while maintaining an eye for diversity, unsung stories, and challenging viewpoints. Source story content for North Carolina, with a focus on rural matters and outreach. Build on background in rural outreach and studies to highlight the relevance of rural spaces in NC. Research, develop, interview, produce, and write for the podcast Hello NC: Stories from Rural NC. Drive focus towards stories from underrepresented communities. Maintain consistent knowledge of and contacts with various divisions and sites in North Carolina, both under and outside of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, including with media partners in print, radio, and television platforms. Guide ecosystem of partners and initiatives to maximize resources and minimize silo effect in large government organization. Review contracts, RFQ's and proposals for department needs. Show less



Alabama Bicentennial Commission

• United States
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Cultural Resource Specialist

  • Feb 2019 - Feb 2020

  Developed press releases, social media content, and copy for publications. Coordinated and implemented public programming and two Bicentennial traveling exhibits, including "Alabama Justice: The Faces and Cases that changed the Nation" and an exhibit of the work of P.H. Polk, Tuskegee-based photographer. Guided assembly crews and contacts across the state to ensure efficient delivery and pick-up. Guided intern activity, acted as liaison between state organizations and local Alabama communities, building on rural and small-community based work from graduate program. Show less



Auburn University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research Assistant

  • Jan 2017 - Dec 2018

  Research completed on Alabama Right-to-Farm laws Designed and conducted qualitative study on State and Market pressures on rural immigrant population in Northeast Alabama, including poultry processing labor dynamics. Work included extensive fieldwork (7 months), developing interview scripts, performing 30+ interviews in English and Spanish, maintaining relationships in a rural area, and data analysis and coding. Collected data followed Human Subjects Research guidelines and were sensitive to questions of confidentiality and identity protection. Products of research included academic Master's thesis and community photo-essay, designed for public and community consumption and developed in partnership with participants in study. Show less



Exchange Program

• Cuba (Havana, Mayajigua)

• Language Assistant

  • Apr 2016 - May 2016

  Provided Spanish language support for faculty and researchers engaged in cultural bridge-building. Visited La Picadora, one of Cuba's first agri-tourism ventures in Mayajigua. Assisted in logistical planning and support. Provided Spanish language support for faculty and researchers engaged in cultural bridge-building. Visited La Picadora, one of Cuba's first agri-tourism ventures in Mayajigua. Assisted in logistical planning and support.



Self Employed

• United States
• 700 & Above Employee

• Traveler

  • Sep 2014 - Sep 2015

  Over the course of a year I traveled between Spain and Turkey, and many points in between, participating in agri-tourism initiatives and supporting rural business ventures. In addition to this, I was able to better my Spanish skills, begin learning French, and gain novice-level proficiency in Turkish. I gained a sense of history and global social context that has informed my subsequent pursuits and passions, including rural sociology and supporting innovative cultural resource management. Over the course of a year I traveled between Spain and Turkey, and many points in between, participating in agri-tourism initiatives and supporting rural business ventures. In addition to this, I was able to better my Spanish skills, begin learning French, and gain novice-level proficiency in Turkish. I gained a sense of history and global social context that has informed my subsequent pursuits and passions, including rural sociology and supporting innovative cultural resource management.



Family-based

• Sevilla Area, Spain

• Au Pair/English Professor

  • Sep 2014 - Nov 2014

  Provided attentive care and language classes for children aged 3-9. Used Spanish language skills to coordinate between family members, local schools, and daycares. Provided attentive care and language classes for children aged 3-9. Used Spanish language skills to coordinate between family members, local schools, and daycares.



Four Points by Sheraton

• Hospitality
• 700 & Above Employee

• Guest Service Representative

  • May 2014 - Sep 2014

  Acted as first point of contact for guests and professionals. Acted as liaison between hotel departments, often utilizing language skills to do so. Improvised to manage crises and high stress situations, while maintaining efficient and calm manner. Provided guidance and advice to guests, drawing on regional knowledge of Asheville and Western North Carolina. Acted as first point of contact for guests and professionals. Acted as liaison between hotel departments, often utilizing language skills to do so. Improvised to manage crises and high stress situations, while maintaining efficient and calm manner. Provided guidance and advice to guests, drawing on regional knowledge of Asheville and Western North Carolina.



Faith Action International House

• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Intern

  • Jan 2013 - May 2013

  Provided support and assistance in class planning, translation (Spanish to English and vice versa), and various administrative duties. Provided support and assistance in class planning, translation (Spanish to English and vice versa), and various administrative duties.



University of North Carolina Exchange Program

• Greensboro/Winston-Salem, North Carolina Area

• Student Employee with UNCEP Office, UNC-Greensboro

  • Aug 2008 - Aug 2009

  Managed exchange student profiles and offered counseling and guidance to program participants. Managed exchange student profiles and offered counseling and guidance to program participants.