Experience

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  Lincoln University

  • Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, United States

  • Member Board of Trustees

    • Sep 2023 - Present
    • Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, United States

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  Mennonite Mission Network

  • United States
  • Religious Institutions
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Senior Executive, Advancement

    • Jul 2017 - Present

    Vice president reporting to agency CEO, provides leadership to Advancement Division, comprised of Donor Relations and Marketing & Communications departments.

  • Marketing Managing Editor for Multimedia

    • Feb 2011 - Jun 2017

    Travel domestically and overseas to manage and direct multimedia projects and produce stories regarding organization's international service programs. Develop collaborative digital media strategies that enhance agency's ability to market and promote its programs to potential volunteers, donors and the news media.

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  University of Maryland Global Campus

  • Largo, MD

  • Professor

    • 2015 - Present
    • Largo, MD

    Journalism and communications professor, media scholar

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  LAVEIST ENTERPRISES -- www.willaveist.com

  • Hampton, Va

  • Founder/CEO

    • Jan 2003 - Present
    • Hampton, Va

    Founder of multimedia communications firm, specializing in multimedia marketing and community outreach strategies, content editing, book authoring, and professional speaking. Emphasis on health and science information dissemination to the general public. Major clients include: Riverside Health Systems, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions, Kennedy Krieger Institute, The Channel Company, National Children's Center.

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  Mennonite Church USA

  • Elkhart, Indiana Area

  • Chief Communications Officer (CCO)

    • Aug 2019 - Jul 2022
    • Elkhart, Indiana Area

    Oversee, strategize and coordinate communications operations across the denomination, including with communication directors across agencies for a comprehensive plan that results in a seamless internal and external communication model.

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  The Wil LaVeist Show

  • Hampton, VA

  • Host

    • Sep 2010 - Jun 2018
    • Hampton, VA

    Media personality and host of provocative podcast and talk radio show that explores how pop culture, science, technology and medicine intersect and impact every day life. Special emphasis is on making science info more accessible to the general public and improving health literacy. Podcast: www.willaveist.com; Radio: Weds. from Noon to 1 p.m. live on 88.1FM WHOV; www.whov.org via www.iheartradio.com.

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  Old Dominion University

  • Norfolk, Virginia Area

  • Doctoral Student/Graduate Teaching Assistant

    • Aug 2011 - Dec 2015
    • Norfolk, Virginia Area

    Instructor of rhetoric and composition, science and tech writing, journalism and digital media.

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  Urban League of Hampton Roads, Inc.

  • Norfolk, VA

  • Director Public Relations, Community Outreach

    • Apr 2010 - Jun 2011
    • Norfolk, VA

    Developed organization's digital media strategy, including website relaunch. Managed all media relations, including writing and distributing press releases, grants, and representing the organization as a spokesman and public speaker at community events and media broadcasts.

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  Hampton University

  • Hampton, VA

  • Adjunct Professor, Scripps Howard School Of Journalism And Communications

    • Aug 2004 - 2011
    • Hampton, VA

    Professor of media criticism and online journalism

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  Virginian-Pilot Media Company

  • Norfolk, Virginia Area

  • Publisher/ Editor, MIX Magazine

    • Jun 2007 - Feb 2009
    • Norfolk, Virginia Area

    Led Virginia's first multicultural monthly magazine, which captured the rich diversity in Norfolk/Virginia Beach area. Conceived, created and responsible for all editorial contentacross multimedia platforms: print, Web and television. Host of MIX11 cable talk show; conducted interviews with news makers. Among traveling press that covered historic election of President Barack Obama, including 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. Edited stories, hired and managed freelance writers, designers and entire production process while under deadline pressure. Developed revenue generating advertising sales presentations. Managed client and community outreach relationships. Represented the company as a public speaker and community leader.

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  Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University

  • Evanston, IL

  • Lecturer

    • Jan 2007 - May 2007
    • Evanston, IL

    Media Management Project: Facilitated graduate student course project involving the enhanced communications of offline community organizations via online through the use of Yahoo! applications and tools.

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  Tribune Company/ The Daily Press

  • Newport News, VA

  • Metro News Columnist

    • Mar 2004 - Mar 2006
    • Newport News, VA

    Wrote thrice weekly column on local, regional and national news.Conducted in-depth interviews with news makers. Researched and analyzed major issues and offered opinion while under deadline pressure. Represented the company as a public speaker and community leader.

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  Tribune Interactive/Black Voices

  • Greater Chicago Area

  • Executive Producer/Alliance Manager

    • Nov 1997 - Mar 2004
    • Greater Chicago Area

    Member of the executive teamed that launched the Internet startup. Responsible for all website multimedia editorial content production. Managed General Motors partnership, a ground-breaking multimillion dollar editorial and advertising content initiative. Developed editorial content plan and collaborated on sales proposals. Hired, supervised 10-member Web production staff.

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  The Arizona Republic | azcentral.com | La Voz

  • Copy Editor/Reporter/Online Editor

    • Jan 1992 - Nov 1997

    - Online Web Editor: Member of the original team that launched AZCentral.com. Responsible for posting editorial content to the Web,especially breaking news under deadline pressure. Attended news meetings and collaborated with editors on coverage as the liaison coordinating editorial produced by the print staff. Graduate, Maynard Institute for Journalism Education Cross-Media Journalism Program.- News Reporter: Conceived and was assigned stories in the areas of publicsafety, education, religion, health, city government andentertainment for daily newspaper. Collaborated with team of reporters. Wrote on deadline. Winner of Arizona Press Club Award for Creative Writing.- Copy Editor: Edited major news stories for grammar and factual errors for daily newspaper on deadline. Wrote headlines for stories and photo captions. Graduate, Maynard Institute for Journalism Education Editing Program for Minority Journalists.