Portfolio

Editorial Leadership

Appalachian-today-2008-fall.pdf (appalachianmagazine.org) – One of many samples of Appalachian Today alumni magazine, for which I served as Editor from 1994-2008 at Appalachian State University. Responsibilities included writing stories, editing, hiring freelancers, writing the Chancellor’s Column, working with in-house graphic designer, and managing the budget and distribution. Review more past issues

Title IX Annual_Report_2020_0.pdf (appstate.edu) – Worked with Title IX Director Jeff Lamoreaux to edit and refine his rough draft into this final annual report, the first of its kind provided by Appalachian State University’s Title IX Office.

Journal of Contemplative Inquiry – Served as peer reviewer for issues 8 (1) and 5 (1), with versions of record at https://journal.contemplativeinquiry.org/index.php/joci/issue/archive

Higher Education Recruitment Materials

Viewbook 2014-15 by Appalachian State University - Issuu – Sample of the Viewbook I wrote for the Office of Admissions for prospective students for several years. Mailed to high-achieving students to introduce them Appalachian State University, which consistently is ranked highly by national publications.

Student Guidebook 2014 by Appalachian State University - Issuu – Sample of the New Student Guidebook I wrote for the Office of Admissions at Appalachian State University for prospective students and their parents. Purpose was to move “accepted” students to “enrolled” students.

Appalachian State University / Undergraduate Majors (appstate.edu) – Organized and led a team of writers to craft marketing copy with search engine optimization (SEO) to explain academic degree programs and their career potential to prospective students and their parents; also wrote many of the pages' copy.

First Destination Success / Appalachian State University (appstate.edu) – Conceptualized this project and wrote the introductory copy and feature stories to emphasize where Appalachian State University graduates get their career start.

Where can an Appalachian degree take you? / Appalachian State University (appstate.edu) –Conceptualized this project and wrote the introductory copy and feature stories to emphasize the life and career success of Appalachian State University alumni.

Blog on Study Abroad in Ethiopia - Created and wrote a blog during my study abroad experience as a doctoral student at Appalachian State University. The blog was used by the Office of International Education to inform students, alumni and friends about Ethiopia and the benefits of study abroad.

News Stories and Features

Christian Torres-Trujillo ’20 pursues his ‘dream career’ in digital marketing | Appalachian Today (appstate.edu) – Interviewed alumnus and wrote profile for marketing his academic degree program to prospective students.

A Road Most Traveled: Like good neighbors, Appalachian and the Blue Ridge Parkway take care of one another – Interviewed multiple people and wrote feature-length story on the App State-Blue Ridge Parkway connections.

Film about Mountaintop Removal Mining to be Screened July 11 in West Virginia – Interviewed filmmakers for this freelance article for The Appalachian Voice newspaper.

Proposed Water Intake Facility Near New River: Headwaters Concerns Downstream Residents – Interviewed multiple people and wrote feature-length story for this freelance article for The Appalachian Voice newspaper.

Revealing Earth’s story through the geologic record: Q&A with Dr. Andy Heckert | Appalachian Today (appstate.edu) – Interviewed professor about his research and teaching and compiled a Q&A format to engage prospective students in geology and highlight the quality of research at App State.

Tips for staying physically active this winter — advice from App State’s Dr. Rebecca Battista | Appalachian Today – Interviewed professor and wrote this seasonal “news you can use” article.

Sociology major begins career with AmeriCorps before heading to graduate school | Appalachian Today (appstate.edu) – Interviewed student and wrote profile for marketing her academic degree program to prospective students.

Maintaining wellness in uncertain times — tips from a public health major and peer educator | Appalachian Today (appstate.edu) – Interviewed student and wrote profile for marketing her academic degree program to prospective students.

Websites and Webpages

Appalachian State University (appstate.edu) – Served as key member of website redesign team. Strengthened the student recruitment focus of the appstate.edu domain--specifically, shifted the home page from an information-based format that tried to please all audiences to an “apply, visit, connect, and find a program” format targeting prospective students.

Appalachian Today | Appalachian State University (appstate.edu) – Served as key member of content strategy/web design team to create this online news magazine for news, features, and other assets marketing Appalachian State University.

Still Point | Appalachian State University (appstate.edu) – Conceptualized project and wrote all copy for this website to promote the faculty/staff contemplative organization Still Point and educate others about mindfulness and contemplative education.

Resilience Toolkit / Diversity and Inclusion at Appalachian / Appalachian State University (appstate.edu) – Conceptualized project and wrote copy to support students in becoming more resilient during challenging times. This webpage earned three awards:

• A 2017 Gold Award for Digital Media/Web Content from Marcom Awards, administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP)

• A 2017 Silver Award in the General Website/Education category from W3 Awards, sanctioned and judged by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts

• A 2017 Bronze Award in New Media Content in the 5th Annual Education Digital Marketing Awards, sponsored by Higher Education Marketing Report

Appalachian’s Future | Appalachian State University (appstate.edu) – Created web content and navigation to explain Appalachian State University’s master plan for growth and its strategic goals for student success, economic impact, community engagement, and leadership.

Appalachian Cares / Appalachian State University / Boone, North Carolina (appstate.edu) – Led team of Student Affairs professionals in organizing health and safety resources for students and worked with the web development team in University Communications to redesign the site’s navigation for improved readability and understanding.

Expert Pitches

Speakers at Appalachian State University - SelectedWorks (bepress.com) – Conceptualized faculty experts guide to pitch their knowledge to the news media; included writing and leading an team of other writers, as well as reviewing vendors to select a platform that best fit Appalachian State University’s needs.

8 tips for a happy healthy heart during the holidays, from an Appalachian expert | Appalachian Today (appstate.edu) – Identified and worked with faculty member to craft a newsworthy, seasonal article to highlight her research.

10 tips for staying healthy through winter — advice from App State’s student health medical director | Appalachian Today – Identified and worked with campus physician to craft a newsworthy, seasonal article to highlight his research.

Social Media