Education
- M.A. in English, 2005, from Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, Mo.
- B.S.Ed. in English (journalism minor), 1998, Northwest Missouri State University
Experience
Freelance graphic designer, 2005-present
- I provide graphic design and writing/editing services to clients that include Olathe Health Systems, WIN for KC, Best Graphics Inc., Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences, Eric’s Camp Fund, Governor Stumpy’s Grill House and others.
- I am the social media coordinator and Web site manager for Governor Stumpy’s Grill House
Enhance magazine, a health and wellness publications in Kansas City, 2008-2011
- Art Director: designed all editorial and many advertising pages
- Copy Editor: copy edited all editorial content, as well as the advertising content we created in-house
- Managing Editor: assigned stories, scheduled photo shoots, worked with writers through editing process
- Wrote stories and unsigned briefs for the magazine
Copy Editor, Chariton Valley News Press, Salisbury, Mo., 2008-2009
- Copy edited and coached stories for the publication via e-mail
Director of Communications, Bishop Miege High School, Shawnee Mission, Kan., 2006-2009
- Responsible for all printed and Web publications for the school
- Wrote, edited, designed and took photos for alumni magazine, recruitment newsletter, viewbook and parent newsletter
- Designed and wrote all advertisements for the school
- Wrote and distributed all school news releases
- Oversaw and maintained school Web site
- Designed, wrote and distributed e-mail marketing messages
- Provided event support for school-wide fundraising efforts, such as the annual auction, golf tournament, foundation dinner and other alumni events
- Responsible for the school’s photography
- Coordinated media events, such as student athlete letter of intent signings
Art Director, Vance Publishing, Lenexa, Kan., 2005-2006
- Designed layouts and produced finished art, including cover designs, for business-to-business magazines AgProfessional, Citrus and Vegetable and Food Systems Insider
- Designed and prepared ads and promotional materials for publications
- Oversaw photo shoots and performed occasional copy editing tasks
Publications Assistant, Northwest Missouri State University, 1999-2005
- Designed and wrote University marketing and informational publications for on-campus clients and external marketing targets, including high school students, parents, businesses, alumni and donors
- Designed and copy edited the Northwest Alumni magazine, published three times a year for 32,000 alumni and donors
- Developed and executed long-range marketing design concepts for primary university recruitment materials such as the main viewbook and coordinating supporting pieces
- Designed and wrote the bulk of university advertisements for print outlets
- Helped supervise and train a staff of six student designers and assistants
- Designed, researched, fact checked and edited a coffee table book for the university’s centennial, titled “Transitions: 100 Years of Northwest”
Adjunct Instructor, Northwest Missouri State University
- Taught Media Design I, an undergraduate introductory course covering both standard types of publication design and the latest software programs, fall 2001, spring 2002, spring 2004
- Taught Professional Media Writing, an undergraduate introductory course covering Associated Press style, basic news writing and public relations writing style, spring 2008
Copy Editor, St. Joseph News-Press, St. Joseph, Mo., 1998-1999
- Responsible for design of A1, B1 and inside pages, as well as general copy editing duties
Copy Editing Internship, The Kansas City Star, 1997
- Edited stories and wrote headlines
Software
I’m a Mac girl, but I can play nice with PCs. Expertly proficient in InDesign, fluent in Illustrator and Photoshop and know the words to Quark Xpress, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat Suite and Excel. I can also work easily in WordPress for Web site updates and creation.
References
- Dennis Esser, owner of Esser Creative Group, 816-807-3216, dennis@essercreativegroup.com
- Patsy Shawver, executive director of Eric’s Camp Fund, 913-221-6914, pshawver@kc.rr.com
- Sarah Dee, program coordinator for WIN for KC, 816-389-4191, sdee@sportkc.org
- Kevin Ryan, owner of Governor Stumpy’s Grill House, Kansas City, Mo., 816-444-2252, theryangroup@kc.rr.com
- Laura Widmer, general manager of the Iowa State Daily, 660-853-9365