Master of Science in Political Science

University of Southampton, UK 2001- 2003

Bachelor of Arts in American Studies

University of Leeds, UK 1997 - 2000

York College of Pennsylvania, 1998

Skills:

Ø       Writing and editing for publication: mainstream and academic

Ø       Public, client and media relations

Ø       Devising communications strategy and tailoring messages based on strong awareness of target audience profiles

Ø       Cultivating and managing relationships with civic organizations and government agencies

Ø       Public speaking

Ø       Advanced research skills

Experience:

Education Manager - Rediscovery, Inc. - Waltham, MA, Jul 2009 - Present

• Oversee the development and implementation of all academic and career development curricula. Deliver writing and grammar instruction to clients.

• Network with state, local and federal organizations: voluntary and civic as well as governmental.

• Write client progress reports and communicate updates to internal team and external agencies.

• Manage the education and vocational training plans of youth 16-24.

Press & Research Executive - The Union of Students in Ireland - Dublin, 2005 - 2008

• Achieved a dramatic increase in media coverage and public awareness of the non-profit, with at least 1,000 reports, articles and discussions featuring USI appearing in the Irish media.

• Managed all the communications functions for a membership organization with 250,000 members.

• Researched and authored position papers, policy response documents and annual reports.

• Wrote and edited press releases, articles and campaign literature. Responded to requests for factual information and comment from media and the public.

• Liaised with civil society organizations and governmental bodies to obtain information and statistics. Networked with journalists to develop ideas for press releases, articles and campaign work.

• Provided training in public speaking and media outreach to members at conferences and events.

• Assisted with the planning and coordination of conferences and events.

General Assignment Reporter - The Tehachapi News - Tehachapi, CA, 2000-2001 internship

• Wrote a significant percentage of all the original news copy for each week’s newspaper as part of a 2-person editorial team. Contributed to the development of the weekly news budget.

• Reported on meetings of the City Council, School Board, Hospital Board and Community Service Districts; as well as the schools, police, City Hall and breaking news.

• Wrote in-depth feature articles about community leaders, and local items and places of interest.

• Collaborated with production team on requirements for word count, headlines and subheadings.

English Teacher - Hendry County, FL, Holmes County, FL - school years 2004-2005, 2008-2009

6 Month Internship in Grant Writing - Southern DataStream, Inc. - Hendry County, FL 2004