Professional Experience
Education
Master of Arts, communication studies, New Mexico State University, 1997
Worked with high school class on communication campaign during yearlong master’s project.
Thesis was NMSU’s entry in the distinguished master’s thesis competition sponsored by Western Association of Graduate Schools.
Bachelor of Science, print journalism and radio/television, Eastern New Mexico University, 1988
Franklin-Covey in-depth leadership seminar, management and focus training, 2006-2007
Experience
Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, N.M.,
January 2006-present
Publications director:
- Lead creative team responsible for more than 600 publications annually
- Oversee production of printed university recruiting materials, ENMU Web site
- Advise university clients on effective communication and marketing strategies
- Develop and edit content for Web site redesign involving more than 8,000 pages
- Provide branding materials and editorial standards for campus and external vendors
- Serve as editor of Eastern Magazine and electronic Eastern Update
- Present training to campus audiences, statewide and national conferences
New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, N.M.,
1990-2005
Assistant director/media relations:
- Managed news staff of writers and photographer on campus and in two field offices
- Directed statewide media relations and publicity for national conferences
- Served as periodicals editor for four-color magazine and alumni tabloid
- Managed content for online News Center
- Presented communications training for faculty, students, field staff and county officials
Assistant editor:
- Wrote magazine features, newspaper articles and radio scripts
- Created weekly video news releases for 10 regional television stations and two national networks
- Designed media relations campaigns and wrote promotional brochure copy
Media specialist:
- Produced daily and weekly radio programs for 40 stations in New Mexico and West Texas
- Wrote magazine features, news releases, video scripts and promotional copy
- Developed special projects such as “FoodStuff” radio program
The Associated Press state bureau, Albuquerque, N.M., 1990
Newswoman
- Disseminated news to media outlets statewide
- Wrote breaking news, enterprise features and high school sports stories
- Compiled morning broadcast news report
Clovis News-Journal, Clovis, N.M.,
1988-1989
Reporter
- Covered elementary, secondary and higher education; courts; city and county government
- Received Associated Press instant news citation for breaking murder trial coverage
- Wrote multiple features distributed statewide to Associated Press member newspapers
Awards
Grand award, magazine (one- to three-color), Council for Advancement and Support of Education, 2006
Gold award, newsletter (editor), Association for Communication Excellence, 2002, 2003, 2004
Western Region Pioneer Award for exceptional leadership and technical skills, ACE, 2001
Outstanding professional skill awards in publishing, audio, ACE, 2000
National second place, feature news release, National Federation of Press Women, 1999
Outstanding professional skill award in writing, ACE, 1996
First place, promotional materials, National Association of Extension 4-H Agents, 1994, 1995
Publications
Author, full-length magazine features, New Mexico, Fiery Foods, Hello New Mexico, New Mexico Resources
Co-author, “Television News” chapter, The Communicator’s Handbook, Maupin House, 2000
Contract writer, science and feature articles, national yearbook, Ten Years of SARE, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Community
Participant, Advancing Leadership class, ENMU, 2006-2007
Member, ENMU University Singers, 2006
President, Las Cruces Press Women, 2004-2005, 1998-1999
Advisory board member, Salvation Army, Las Cruces, 2003-2005
Committee chair, Ruth Sneed communications scholarship, 1999-2005
School volunteer, 2005-2007; volunteer preschool teacher, 2004-2005
President, Extension Specialists Association, N.M. State University, 2003-2004
Chair, Writing Special Interest Group, Association for Communication Excellence, 2002