WORK SUMMARY:
My career began in newspapers where I won state and national praise for my ability to tell a story. I successfully made the transition from newspapers to the public relations field where I was first a public relations specialist in health care and then in higher education. I have a master’s in public administration and I understand how city government should work. I have worked at a television station where I managed news coverage and social media. Overall, I am a straight shooter with the ability to meet intense deadlines with grace. I also know how essential it is to make and maintain personal relationships to get any job done.
EXPERIENCE:
KTBS CHANNEL 3 SHREVEPORT, LA
••••• March to November
Assistant Content Manager
As the assistant content manager at KTBS Channel 3, I generated and assigned stories for multiple daily shows, constantly updated ••••• including writing dozens of articles for the web on an as needed basis as well as helping mentor and monitor journalists with various experience levels. Helping TV journalists write was the most satisfying part of my job at Channel 3 and one of the areas where I felt I truly made a difference. Responsible for bulk of social media updates including ••••• and •••••.
••••• SOUTHERN ARKANSAS UNIVERSITY MAGNOLIA, AR
University Editor
• Generated media coverage by distributing press releases and serving as a media liaison;
• Composed copy for monthly faculty/staff bulletin and the alumni office’s quarterly magazine, The Stater;
• Provided editing services for all campus communications, including the English department;
• Served as university photographer at majority of campus events;
• Managed additional photographers and student public relations intern each semester;
• Updated university Website with updated releases;
• Worked closely with the Arkansas Association of Public Universities, a group designed to create a stronger voice for higher education issues in the Arkansas Legislature.
••••• – ••••• TEXARKANA GAZETTE TEXARKANA, TX
“Active Age” Coordinator (newspaper circulation, about •••••,•••••)
• Oversaw all editorial content and produced news and feature articles for Active Age, a monthly magazine for Texarkana citizens age ••••• and older.
• Managed a staff of writers, photographers, graphic artists and advertising executives to ensure a perfect product.
••••• – ••••• GOOD SHEPARD HEALTH SYSTEM LONGVIEW, TX
Marketing Specialist
• Generated features and news stories for the bi-monthly newsletter, The Pulse;
• Developed news releases to pitch to the news media and established strong relationships with key reporters in the area;
• Managed Women’s Heart Advantage, ClassiCare Senior Program, Emergency/EMS, and Employee Relations;
• Event planning, from crafting the invitation to following up with participants.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
•••••
Reported for Longview News-Journal (estimated circulation of •••••,•••••), Tyler Morning-Telegraph (estimated circulation •••••,•••••), and Arkansas Democrat in Springdale, Arkansas, (estimated •••••,••••• circulation) the bureau for Arkansas’ flagship newspaper, the Arkansas Democrat in Little Rock.
EDUCATION:
Southern Arkansas University - Magnolia, Arkansas, December ••••• graduate
Master’s Degree in Public Administration
Stephen F. Austin State University - Nacogdoches, Texas, May ••••• graduate
B. A. Communications/Journalism
Texarkana College - Texarkana, Texas, May ••••• graduate
A. A. Journalism
PAST MEMBERSHIPS AND AWARDS:
• American Society for Public Administration
• American Heart Association board; Longview, Texas
• Council for Advancement and Support of Education (C.A.S.E.)
• Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority at Southern Arkansas University, •••••
• Associated Press Managing Editors Association of Texas
Sweepstakes, •••••
First Place, •••••
Second Place, •••••
National Barbara Jordan Award provided for coverage of Americans with Disabilities, •••••
Golden Heart Award, Longview Independent School District, Longview, Texas •••••
