Résumé

Work Experience

April pril 2022-Present:  Senior Corporate Communications Specialist, National Teachers Associates Life Insurance Company  Train and guide three team members to ensure all internal and external communications comply with policy language and the company’s style and brand guidelines. Also responsible for tasks in next section.

Jan. 2020-April 2022:  Corporate Communications Specialist, National Teachers Life Associate Insurance Company  Drafted and edited marketing email campaigns, letters to policy owners, employee training documents, and internal documents. Assisted with online application system development, and researched customer concerns.

Jan. 2019-Dec. 2019:  Founder, Versa Planner LLC  Formed a small business to sell a personal planner that helps consumers focus more effectively on priorities and goals to increase productivity.

Oct. 2017-Nov. 2018:  Learning Support Specialist – LaQuinta Holdings, LLC  Managed and coordinated a monthly, week-long training program for hotel general managers held at La Quinta’s corporate office. Key accomplishments include identifying new learning opportunities and course topics while improving student engagement, designing print materials, and working with subject matter experts to update PowerPoint presentations.

Dec. 2015-Oct. 2017:  Designed a new type of personal planner; student — took four communications courses.

July 2001-Dec. 2015:  Executive Team Leader – Target Corp. (assistant store manager)  Managed up to 200 team members in Human Resources, Grocery, and Sales Floor.  Trained stores regionally and out-of-state that were converting to fresh grocery from general merchandise only.  Exceeded team satisfaction survey goal (attained 85% favorable store score & 90% personal score as HR manager).

July 2000-February 2002:  Neighborhoods Correspondent – The Fort Worth Star-Telegram  Freelanced for the Star-Telegram’s Neighborhoods section.  Wrote stories as assigned by the section editor, nurtured relationships with community members to find stories, attended and reported on city council meetings and other events.

Jan. 2000-June 2000:  Editor-in-Chief, The Shorthorn – The University of Texas at Arlington  Elected to top editorial position after four semesters as news editor, copy editor, and reporter.  The student-run newspaper with a million dollar annual operating budget was nationally recognized as a Columbia Gold Crown award recipient for the academic year including the semester in which I served as editor.

Aug. 1997-Dec. 1997:  Editor, The Brookhaven Courier – Brookhaven College in Dallas Oversaw reporting, layout design, editorial content, and advertising for the student-run newspaper after two semesters as reporter and layout designer.

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism) conferred by The University of Texas at Arlington (minor: political science; Dean’s List for two semesters)
  • Undergraduate coursework – Brookhaven College in Farmers Branch, Texas

Awards

  • 1st Place for On-site Print News Writing, Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (1998)
  • Dorothy Estes Scholarship, The University of Texas at Arlington (April 1999)
  • Roger C. Dycus Scholarship, The University of Texas at Arlington (Dec. 1999)
  • Student Publications Director’s Award, The University of Texas at Arlington (May 2000)
  • Jack Butler Memorial Scholarship, The University of Texas at Arlington (April 2000)
  • Paul Swenson Award (Dec. 1999)
  • 1st Place for Division 3 Newspaper Ad Series, Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (April 1999); team award
  • 1st Place for Division 3 Newspaper Illustration, Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (April 1999); team award
  • 2nd Place for Division 3 Headline, Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (April 1999)
  • Dallas Press Club Scholarship (Spring 1998)
  • Dallas Press Club Scholarship (Fall 1997)
  • Town North National Bank Scholarship (April 1998)
  • Dean’s List, The University of Texas at Arlington, two semesters

Technical Proficiency

  • Adobe InDesign (coursework)
  • Adobe Illustrator (coursework)
  • Adobe Photoshop (currently learning)
  • Microsoft Publisher (used at college newspaper)
  • Microsoft Office
  • Mac OS / Windows 10

Soft Skills

  • Writing (excel at explaining complex subjects in simple, sequential terms)
  • Copy editing (earned copy editing scholarship)
  • Layout design (designed community college newspaper)
  • Photography (coursework and personal hobby)
  • Verbal communication (diplomatic in conveying thoughts, accepts feedback well)
  • Peer training (traveled regionally & nationally to train employees)
  • Team management (14+ years as executive team leader; editor-in-chief)
  • Strategic thinking & problem solving (consistently listed on merit reviews as top strength)
  • Innovating (constantly developing new ideas)
  • Multi-tasking & time management (resourceful self-starter who can juggle many priorities with little guidance under tight deadlines in evolving, high-stress, multi-team environments)
  • Detail-driven (never satisfied until the job exceeds expectations)
  • Life-long, goal-oriented learner (constantly striving to attain new skills, both on-the-job and in personal time)