Experience

Delivered keynote address on "Creating a More Mindful Campus" at the 2022 Conference on Meaningful Living and Learning in a Digital World in Savannah, Georgia.

Professional Experience

Staff Writer, August 2022 to Present

National Parks Conservation Association, Washington, D.C.

Manage the organization's news blog and coordinate the monthly e-newsletter distributed to NPCA's members and supporters.

Freelance Consultant, Writer and Editor, July 2021 to August 2022

Serve as consultant, writer and editor for private educational organizations and private companies; serve as peer-reviewer for academic journals.

Senior Writer/Editor/Public Information Officer, June 2017 to June 2021

University CommunicationsAppalachian State University, Boone, N.C


Senior Writer, Editor, and SEO Specialist, 2015 to June 2017

University Communications

Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C.


Editor, Campaign for Appalachian e-newsletter, 2011 to 2014

Division of University Advancement

Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C.


Communications Director, 2010 to 2014

One World Everybody Eats, Bend, Oregon

F.A.R.M. Cafe (Feed All Regardless of Means), Boone, N.C.


Primary Writer of Admissions Materials, 2008-2010

University Communications

Appalachian State University, Boone, NC


Editor, Appalachian Today magazine, 1995-2008

Office of Public Affairs

Appalachian State University, Boone, NC


Producer, Appalachian Perspective cable television program, 1995 to 2008

Office of Public Affairs

Appalachian State University, Boone, NC


Assistant Director, News Bureau, 1994 to 1998

Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C.


General Assignment Reporter, 1989 to 1994

Johnson City Press, Johnson City, Tenn.


Teaching Experience


Certified Teacher, Koru Mindfulness curriculum, 2016 to Present

The Center for Koru Mindfulness, Durham, NC


Adjunct Professor, 2008-2012, 2017 to Present

Department of Communication

Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Education


Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

With a focus on contemplative pedagogy and organizational structures/cultures in higher education

Appalachian State University

M.A. in Educational Media

Appalachian State University

B.A. in Mass Communications

Emory & Henry College


Certifications

Forest Therapy Guide Certification Program, beginning April 2022

The Forest Therapy School

Will participate in the 16-week signature program accredited by the International Mindfulness and Meditation Alliance.

Title IX Hearing Officer and Decision-Maker Training, September 2020

Association of Title IX Administrators

Successfully completed the two-day training to hear Title IX cases. Certification is valid through September 2022.

Employment Mediation Training, August 2018

Office of State Human Resources, North Carolina

Completed the 40-hour, in-person course required to become an employment mediator.

Public Information Officer Course, April 2018

North Carolina Emergency Management

Achieved essential knowledge and skills to support proper decision-making by delivering the right message,

to the right people, at the right time per FEMA standards. 2-day course with numerous FEMA prerequisites.

Certified Teacher, Koru Mindfulness curriculum for emerging adults, Jan. 2016 to Present

The Center for Koru Mindfulness, Durham, NC

Achieved certification in curriculum that teaches mindfulness, meditation, and stress management to emerging adults.

The one-year process included a three-day on-site training and leadership of three, four-week Koru workshops; plus,

participation in a four-day silent retreat.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)-certified web copy writer, 2014

SEO Success Works

Trained to maximize effectiveness of word choice and word placement in web writing to improve search engines’

ability to find client sites.

Presentations and Publications


Communication:

“Clear Communication" - July 16, 2020

For Virtual Leadership Seminar hosted by Human Resources, Appalachian State University.

“SEO and Writing for the Web" - Spring 2020 and Fall 2016

For faculty/staff professional development workshop, Appalachian State University.

“Writing and Editing for Appalachian" - Fall 2018

For faculty/staff professional development workshop, Appalachian State University.

“Editing Tools and Tips” - Spring 2018

For faculty/staff professional development workshop, Appalachian State University.


“Communicating mindfulness: Tools for explaining contemplative practices and their value” - March 9, 2018

Contemplative Practices for 21st Century Higher Education Conference

“Communicating Beyond Your Silo: Strategic Tips” - Oct. 6, 2018

Selected presenter, Women in Educational Leadership Symposium (WIELS).

“The Undergraduate Admissions Process in U.S. Higher Education” - May 2015

For Bahir Dar University administrators and faculty during a doctoral-level study abroad in Ethiopia.



Mindfulness:


"Creating a More Mindful Campus" - Feb. 28, 2022

Keynote address at the 2022 Conference on Meaningful Living and Learning in a Digital World, sponsored by The Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration and the University of West Georgia.

Reviewer, The Journal of Contemplative Inquiry, 8 (1).

Version of record to be published in December 2021 at https://journal.contemplativeinquiry.org/index.php/joci

“Mind, Body, and Spirit Matters: Mindfulness Strategies for a More Connected Community” - Sept. 13, 2021

One of 8 featured panelists introducing and exploring the concept of mindfulness with students at Emory & Henry College.

“Mindfulness at Work” - Nov.18 2020

For faculty/staff professional development workshop, Appalachian State University.

“Mindfulness on Election Day” - Nov. 3, 2020

For Sunrise Rotary in Boone, NC, as a calming topic and meditation exercise the morning of the national 2020 Election.

“Communicating mindfulness: Tools for explaining contemplative practices and their value” - March 9, 2018

Contemplative Practices for 21st Century Higher Education Conference


Reviewer, The Journal of Contemplative Inquiry, 5 (1).

Version of record at https://journal.contemplativeinquiry.org/index.php/joci/issue/view/8

Coutant, L., & Caldwell, K. (2017). The Mindful Campus: Organizational Structure and Culture.

The Journal of Contemplative Inquiry, 4 (1). Version of record at https://journal.contemplativeinquiry.org/index.php/joci/article/view/124

Coutant, L., Gray, E., & Sell, L. (2017). Appalachian State University’s Still Point: Who we are and what we do. Proceedings from 2017 Contemplative Practices for 21st Century Higher Education Conference. Version of record at https://texts.shanti.virginia.edu/content/still-point-who-we-are-what-we-do

“Meditations and Motivations” – Dec. 6 and 7, 2015

For de-stressing events held during finals week by Wellness and Prevention Services, Appalachian State University.

“Meditation and Mindfulness” - Nov. 18, 2015

For a staff retreat held by the Office of Advising and Orientation, Appalachian State University.

“Meditation and Mindfulness” - Nov. 12 and 19, 2015

For Human Resources’ Professional Development Workshop series, Appalachian State University.

“Mindfulness and Leadership” - Sept. 13, 2015

For students leaders at the Clubs and Organizations Resources and Education (CORE) Conference sponsored by the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, Appalachian State University.

“Communicating mindfulness: Tools for explaining contemplative practices and their value” - March 9, 2018

For educators attending the Contemplative Practices for 21st Century Higher Education Conference

“Case Study of a Mindful Campus: Organizational Structure and Culture” poster presentation

For educators attending the Creating a Mindful Campus Conference - April 15, 2017

For educators attending the 8th Annual Association for Contemplative Mind in Higher Education Conference - Oct. 8, 2016

“Still Point: Who we are and what we do” - April 8, 2017

For educators attending the Contemplative Practices for 21st Century Higher Education Conference

“Become a More Effective Leader through Contemplative Practices” - Oct. 1, 2016

For educators attending the inaugural Women in Educational Leadership Symposium (WIELS)


Awards


Writing/Editing and Web Architecture


Distinction – Appalachian’s Future microsite, The Communicator Awards, 2019


Gold Award – Appalachian State University’s Resiliency Toolkit, Marcom Awards, 2017


Silver Award – Appalachian State University’s Resiliency Toolkit, W3 Awards, 2017


Bronze Award – Appalachian State University’s Resiliency Toolkit, Education Digital Marketing Awards, 2017


Gold Award – Appalachian State Home Page Redesign, Hermes Creative Awards, 2016


Platinum Award – Appalachian Magazine, special edition, MarCom Awards, 2014


Honorable Mention – Diversity website, MarCom Awards, 2014


Gold Award – Viewbook, MarCom Awards, 2014


Gold Award – New Student Guidebook, MarCom Awards, 2014


Platinum Award – Admissions Materials, Hermes Creative Awards, 2013


Bronze Award – Student Viewbook, Higher Ed Marketing Report's Annual Educational Advertising Awards, 2013


Gold Award – Prospective Student Viewbook, MarCom Awards, 2012


Merit Award – Admissions materials, Higher Ed Marketing, 2012


Award of Excellence – Institutional Ad, Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), 2012


Special Merit Award – Undergraduate Student Recruitment Materials, CASE, 2010


Special Merit Award – AppDate e-newsletter, CASE, 2005


Award of Excellence – Radio PSAs, CASE, 2004


Special Merit Award – Appalachian Perspective cable TV program, CASE, 2004


Second Place/General News Writing, Society for Professional Journalists East Tennessee Chapter, 1994


Teaching

Nominated for Lambda Pi Eta’s Outstanding Faculty Award for Teaching, Department of Communication, Appalachian State University, 2011


Copyright 2022 by Linda Coutant. All rights reserved.