Curriculum Vitae
Education
PH.D., MASS COMMUNICATION
School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Iowa
Focus: Environmental Communication
Dissertation Title: Media, influence, & agriculture: Understanding the clashing communication about Iowa’s water quality crisis
Advisor: Kajsa E. Dalrymple
August 2017
M.P.H., COMMUNITY AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
College of Public Health, University of Iowa
Practicum Title: Guarding Haiti’s water: Program reimplementation and formative evaluation of Gadyen Dlo
Advisor: Shelly Campo
May 2013
B.A., COMMUNICATION STUDIES
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Iowa
Emphasis: Women’s Studies
Minor: Art
July 2007
Professional and Academic Experience
DIRECTOR, MA in STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION
Oct 2022 - Present
Administrative leader of the University of Iowa's MA in Strategic Communication degree program. Manage and review all program faculty, lead recruitment and marketing efforts, review all program applications, chair the application committee, advise all currently enrolled students, and oversee and organize alumni outreach and fundraising efforts. Established first program advisory board, spearheaded first program fundraising efforts, and organized several in-person events, including professional development sponsorships and alumni reunions.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF INSTRUCTION
Oct 2022 - Present
Primary instructor for the fully online MA in Strategic Communication program at the University of Iowa, currently teaching a 2:2:1 load, including core courses, program electives, innovative new (“Topics”) courses. Also, advisor for student research and independent study projects.
CONSULTANT, RESEARCH AND PUBLICATION
June 2022 - March 2024
Conducted in-depth interviews of emergency room physicians and provided qualitative research and writing guidance for project titled “Communication and Discharge Decision Making for Diverse Populations of Febrile Infants” through the University of Florida.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & FOUNDER, WWSE, INC.
Dec 2019 - Present
Founded WaterWoman Sustainability Education, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to educating, engaging, and empowering children to help end the global water crisis. The organization sponsors the development of The Adventures of WaterWoman ™ educational series.
DIRECTOR, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION PROGRAM
May 2018 - August 2022
Scheduling 4 full-time strategic communication program faculty each semester, working closely with Communication Department chair to coordinate class needs, providing approval for student substitution requests, and representing the major during leadership meetings and recruitment purposes at Flagler College, in St. Augustine, FL. Also, led two comprehensive curriculum revisions, successfully updating the program requirements and creating a strategic communication minor.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
August 2017 - August 2022
Taught 4-5 courses per semester at Flagler College, including general education and upper-level courses for majors, specialized context courses, and senior capstone; and advising undergraduate communication and honors program students. Also, taught 1-2 online courses during summer terms.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
January 2015 - July 2017
National Science Foundation, Water Sustainability and Climate Grant (No. 1505309, “Decision Processes, Climate Change, and Water Resources in the Agricultural Midwest,”) to investigate the role of Watershed Management Authorities and their influence on Iowa farmers. Research focused on key indicators related to conservation practices among agricultural producers, and improving science communication efforts related to water in the state of Iowa.
INSTRUCTOR
May 2016 - Jun 2016
Stand-alone course instructor for six-week summer session of 'Media Uses and Effects' course of 17 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa. Introductory media effects class focused on social science research methods and mass communication theory.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Summer 2013, 2014, & 2015
Helped develop survey instruments, recruit participants, and collect data regarding farmer communication preferences for the Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health. Also led focus groups, conducted other miscellaneous evaluation activities, and designed promotional materials for the center.
TEACHING ASSISTANT
August 2013 - December 2014
Assisted Professor Kajsa E. Dalrymple for Media Uses and Effects, a large (~300 student) undergraduate course through the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Iowa for three semesters. Lectured independently and graded for two weekly discussion sessions of ~25 students each.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
March - December 2012
Worked on collaborative project with the Environmental Health Sciences Research Center at the University of Iowa and the Iowa Flood Center to input public health information to new online flood inundation mapping system (Iowa Flood Information System, IFIS).
VISUAL DESIGNER
March - April 2012
Graphic design work for Professor Shelly Campo, Community and Behavioral Health Department, College of Public Health at the University of Iowa, on ‘Avoid the Stork’ campaign (to decrease unintended pregnancies among 18-30 year olds in Iowa).
MEDICAL COORDINATOR
February 2010 - July 2011
Worked for Clinix Health Services (Centennial, CO) providing daily patient care and coordination; including patient education sessions, preventive health screenings, measurement of vitals, assistance with procedures, vaccination administration, diabetes management, EMR maintenance, and new employee training at a Patient-Centered Medical Home.
LEGAL SECRETARY
March 2008 - January 2010
Completed administrative, secretarial, and receptionist duties for workers’ compensation, bankruptcy and tax attorneys.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZER
August - October 2007
Worked for Colorado Citizen's Campaign to help inform and unify citizens to apply pressure on a major industrial polluter; and help motivate the business to invest in proper equipment to significantly reduce air pollution emissions.