Professional Experience
Writing and Public Relations
- Jan. 1997–Present
- Freelance Writer and Editor, Urbana, Ill.
- June 1996–Feb. 1999
- Content Coordinator, Phoenix Publishing, Tolono, Ill.
- Oversaw all writing aspects of small “new media” company that designs and programs Web sites and CD-ROMs for a wide variety of businesses.
- 1994–1996
- Senior News Editor, Washington University, Office of Communications.
- Managed media relations for the School of Law, School of Architecture, departments of anthropology and psychology. Helped coordinate major special events for University, including commencement.
- Wrote news releases for national and international law publications; national newspapers and magazines; wire services; regionally important newspapers outside the St. Louis area; and broadcast media.
- Wrote articles for the Washington University Record, and the Washington University Magazine.
- Developed and implemented a long-range public relations plan for the School of Law.
- Placed more anthropology stories in the national media for the University over the past three years than any previous writer. One story generated more than 45 clips and reached approximately 17 million readers.
- 1989–1993
- Hired in 1989 as news writer for the arts, promoted in 1993 to senior news writer and promoted one year later to senior news editor
- 1988
- Freelance feature writer. Washington University, Office of Publications.
Special Projects
- 1994
- Olympic Festival. Served as a media liaison for the Olympic village, housed at Washington U.
- 1993
- Council for the Advancement of Science Writing Conference. Planned and organized meeting details for part of conference attended by 150 science writers from major publications nationwide.
- 1992
- First Presidential Debate. Assisted the more than 1,000 national media representatives covering the event.
- 1992
- Edison Theatre Marketing Analysis. Chaired marketing subcommittee for Edison Theatre that analyzed Edison Theatre’s image, as part of a National Endowment for the Arts grant. Wrote final report about research findings and suggestions for future marketing strategies.
- 1989
- President George Bush visit to Washington University. Helped national media accompanying President Bush
Awards
- Writer’s Digest Writing Competition: honorable mention, personal essay
- Master Communicators Award of Excellence and Award of Merit for feature writing, International Association of Business Communicators, Public Relations Society of America and Association for Women in Communications, central Illinois chapters.
- Champaign-Urbana Ad Club CHAAMP competition: second place best-of-show and winner in category “not-for-profit printed piece”
- Master Communicators Award of Excellence and Award of Merit for feature writing, International Association of Business Communicators, Public Relations Society of America and Association for Women in Communications, central Illinois chapters.
- Bronze Quill Award for feature writing, International Association of Business Communicators, St. Louis chapter.
Professional Organizations & Committees
- 1999–Present
- Member, National Association of Science Writers
- 1999–Present
- Member, Ad Club of Champaign-Urbana
Education
- 1988
- Yale University, New Haven, Ct. Master’s degree in Middle Eastern Archaeology.
- 1983
- Harvard University, Cambridge, Ma. Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, cum laude.