Full CV at the link below:
Abbreviated version of CV below:
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Teaching Associate Professor, West Virginia University Reed College of Media, August 2011- Present
Teach courses in audio and video newswriting and audio, video and multimedia reporting and production. Also teach experimental journalism courses that have focused on using sensors to gather data and report on water and air quality in West Virginia.
These upper-level courses include teaching fundamental journalism concepts including news judgment, interviewing, writing and technical skills, as well as digital journalism skills and concepts. Also advise the WVU student chapter of the Radio Television Digital News Association. Serve on college committees and graduate student committees. Promoted from Teaching Assistant to Teaching Associate Professor in May 2017.
Freelance Journalist, August 2011- Present
Report, write and produce news and feature stories for various mediums.
Consultant, Traveling 219 Project, December 2013 – June 2014
Provided feedback and guidance to reporters working on the “Traveling 219” cultural radio program, specifically on focusing their stories and formulating ideas into “pitches” for national radio programs.
Assistant News Director, West Virginia Public Broadcasting, March 2009 – June 2011
Oversaw the production of news stories from reporters across the state. Discussed story ideas and story development with reporters and edited scripts. Created and uploaded content to the station’s website. Reported on stories that involved requesting and researching public records. Used sources in the community to stay on top of developing stories and breaking news and covered or assisted in the coverage of breaking news and investigative stories in the state. Hosted radio and television news programs. Occasionally filed stories for NPR.
Senior Producer, West Virginia Public Broadcasting, March 2008 – March 2009
Produced stories about north central West Virginia for WV public radio, while also working on longer format radio and television stories. Occasionally appeared live on WV public TV and public radio to discuss developing or breaking news stories. Edited others’ stories. Advised the WVU campus radio station’s student news team. Occasionally filed stories for NPR.
RELATED EXPERIENCE
Feb. 2017 Moderator, “Truth and Consequences: Fake News, Filter Bubbles and Democracy”
Five experienced panelists shared insights on the recent proliferation of online fake news. This panel event was webcast live and broadcast at a later date on West Virginia Public Radio.
October 2016 Moderator, “Seafood from Slaves: From Investigation to Pulitzer Prize”
Four Associated Press journalists who won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for their reporting on slave labor used in the Southeast Asian fishing industry talked about their investigation and reporting.
Aug. 2015 Moderator for panel discussion on American Pain, Morgantown, WV.
This public event covered prescription pain pill abuse, the topic of a book by my colleague John Temple. The event was later broadcast on WV Public Radio.
June 2015 Adventure Film School at the Go Pro Games.
Participated in the immersion workshop and created a short film: “Baby on Board.”
Sept. 2014 Banquet Speaker, West Virginia Library Association.
Presented talk on “The Freedom to Report: Investigative Journalism and the importance of a media-literate public that supports it.”
March 2014 Moderator, “From Beats to Tweets: Media Coverage of the WV Chemical Spill”
This public event at WVU featured journalists involved in covering the 2014 chemical spill in WV and focused on the role of social media in their coverage. This event was later broadcast on WV Public Radio.
Publications and Academic Presentations
April 2017 Presenter and Moderator, Broadcast Education Association Convention. Presented on sensor journalism for a panel on innovation in teaching news. Also organized and moderated a panel about innovations in sports storytelling.
March 2017 “Halting the Hoax: WVU Event Spotlights Fake News to Promote Transparency,” West Virginia Executive
Sept. 2016 “Sensing the Environment: Investigating Water Pollution with Sensor Journalism at WVU,”PBS MediaShift
April 2016 Workshop Organizer and Moderator, Sensing the Environment: Investigating Community Water Stories
Dec. 2015 “Blackwater Falls State Park – Cross Country Skiing,” RootsRated.com
April 2015 “An Outdoor Program that Redefines Boundaries,” Adventure Programming and Travel in the 21st Century. Co-author, case study.
Nov. 2014 “Finding Success at the Women’s Hackathon for Wearables at WVU,” PBS Media Shift
March 2014 “How Social Media Changed the Equation on the WV Chemical Leak Story,” PBS Media Shift. Co-wrote and produced a multimedia article.
February 2014 National First Year Experience Conference, San Diego, CA. Co-presented on the WVU “Adventure J-school” freshman orientation program.
EDUCATION
May 2009 Masters of Science, Journalism, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV. Public and community radio was area of study. Researched news-training approaches and created a reporter training manual for Allegheny Mountain Radio. The National Association of Community Broadcasters shared the manual with its members on its website.
May 2001 Bachelor of Arts Degree, Media Studies and Honors Program, Valedictorian of Media Studies, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC.
Jan. 1997 Advanced Studies Diploma, Lafayette High School, Williamsburg, VA.
AWARDS
April 2015 Online News Association Challenge Fund for Innovation in Journalism Education
Co-authored a grant application for WVU Stream Lab that was awarded $35,000 from ONA. The project included creating an experimental journalism class on sensor journalism; conducting sensor journalism work with students; and hosting a sensor journalism workshop for journalists, scientists and interested community members.
April 2014 Broadcasters Education Foundation. “Best of Festival,” Faculty Audio Competition.
February 2014 West Virginia Broadcasters Educational Foundation. Received $5300 grant to create and implement a video journalism workshop for West Virginia high school students participating in the PBS Student Reporting Lab program.
April 2011 West Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters Association. Best Enterprise Reporting, 2010
April 2009 West Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters Association. Best Reporter, 2008; Best Continuing Coverage, 2008
August 2008 Knight Center for Environmental Journalism, Michigan State University. Received a fellowship to attend a workshop on the effects of climate change in Alaska and to receive training on covering climate change.
April 2007 West Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters Association. Best Breaking News Coverage, 2006
March 2007 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award, Best Newscast. Produced a story on the Sago Mine disaster that aired during West Virginia Morning, and this newscast episode won a regional Edward R. Murrow award.
April 2005 West Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters Association. Best Feature Story, 2004; Best Enterprise Reporting, 2004; Best Reporter, 2004
April 2003 Radio and Television News Directors Foundation. Received a fellowship for reporting on science and the environment.
