About Me
With a writer's heart and 8+ years writing experience, I'm a story chaser with a passion for captivating intros and a love for children's books, magazine writing, and illuminating God's word. Self motivated with an exceptional work ethic, I'm adaptable to change, an independent learner, and a people-person with a zeal for collaboration. I have excellent attention-to-detail and organizational skills, am able to work within tight deadlines, and am a stickler for good grammar.
Education
B.A. in Business Administration
Roanoke College
Salem, VA
Business management, global marketing, corporate finance, personal finance, business writing and communications, human resources, business policy, economics, accounting, statistics, operations management, organizational behavior, business law, business information systems
Continuing Education
Mastering Generative AI for Marketing Success
American Marketing Association
January 2024
Writer's Connection
Virginia Tech
2022 - Present
Social Media Strategies Summit
Higher Education
October 2022
& 2023
College Communicators Association
Virginia Tech
June 2022
Dean Nelson Writing and Interviewing Workshop
Virginia Tech
June 2022
Day of Writing Retreat
Virginia Tech
2016
Many other workshops and trainings
A workshop designed to drive innovation and improve productivity using AI (artificial intelligence).
A group created to connect on all things writing and collaboration in a higher education setting.
A global conference designed for social media experts to increase marketing, communication, and social media skills.
A conference aiming to advance VA communicators in higher education with speakers, programs, professional development, and collaboration.
Professional development sessions on writing and interviewing for VT communicators with Author Dean Nelson, founder and director of the journalism program at Point Loma Nazarene University.
A retreat for writers with a focus on speed writing, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, sci-fi/fantasy, and writer collaboration and brainstorming.
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Microsoft Teams for Communicators | March 2024
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Intro to Microsoft Outlook | February 2024
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SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Training | January 2024
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Google Analytics 4 training | June 2023
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Microsoft Guided Exploratory Sessions - OneDrive, Teams, & 365 | June 2023
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Falcon: What makes a great social media manager | June 2022
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State of Virginia: The Road to Cultural Competence | June 2022
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State of Virginia: Employee Safety and Disaster Awareness | June 2022
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Ferpa Training | 2020, 2021, 2022
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Title IX/Policy 1025/VAWA | 2018, 2020 and 2023
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GiveSmart - Master your social: Strategies and statistics to grow your social Virginia Community Voice (VACV) | April 2022
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Falcon: Keeping up with Social Media Algorithms | January 2022
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TikTok in Libraries 3-part workshop by InfoBase | August 2021
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Falcon - Brand Storytelling: The key to a competitive edge | June 2021
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What's Changed on social 2020-2021 | January 2021
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Strategic Communications in a Dynamic Environment | December 2020
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CASE Development Writing Workshop | November 2020
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Virginia Tech Social Media Best Practices Training | September 2020
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Instagram Stories Workshop | June 2020
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AIMS Training - Contact Reports vs. Interactions | May 2020
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University Advancement Giving Day Workshop Series | January 2020
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Social Media Training on Accessibility | October 2019
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Chrome River Training | October 2019
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AIMS Training BBIS and Jira Process Refresher | October 2019
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AIMS Training - AIMS Processes, Selections, & Data Requests | September 2019
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Social Media Workshop - Best Practices: Business vs. Personal Use | August 2019
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Social Media Workshop - Measuring Success: Social Media Analytics | June 2019
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AIMS Prospect Management Training | June 2019
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Elements Hands-on working session May | 2019
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Photography and Videography App Workshop | April 2019
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BBIS Training | April 2019
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AIMS Refresher Training | April 2019
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Social Media Training Webinar | November 2018
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AIMS Training | September 2018
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Social Media Training Webinar | August 2018
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Social Media Training Session | June & July 2018
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University Libraries Staff Enhancement Program | 2017
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Principles of Community at Virginia Tech | October 2016
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TEM Training | August 2016
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Dynamics | July 2016
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Google Workshop | May 2016
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Windows 10: The Basics | March 2016
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NYLIC University 2005 Certificate of Completion A career school designed for New York Life agents which focuses on selling and referrals, building relationships and customer service Dallas, Texas | 2005
Skills
Adobe Creative Suite
Photoshop • InDesign • Lightroom
Premiere Pro • Acrobat
Microsoft Office
Word • PowerPoint • Excel
Google Workspace &
Microsoft Office
AP Style
Content creator
Canva • Story Blocks • Adobe Express
Creative writing
Editing
Social media mgmt. & copywriting
Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Threads
TikTok • YouTube • LinkedIn • SnapChat
Twitch • Pinterest • Reddit
Experience with AI
Creative eye for detail
Research
Thoughtful writer
Think outside the box
Social media analytics
Falcon/Brandwatch
Project management
Time management skills
Curious
Professional Experience
Freelance Writer
World-wide
2023 - Present
Author
World-wide
2017 - Present
Owner
Roly Poly Books Publishing Co.
Christiansburg, VA
2016 - Present
Communications & Development Coordinator
& Social Media Manager
University Libraries at Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
2018 - Present
Content Coordinator, Writer, & Editor
Best Version Media
Christiansburg, VA
2023 - Present
Executive Assistant and Office Manager
University Libraries at Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
2011 - 2018
Executive Assistant to the Assistant Vice President of Development for Univ. Programs
University Advancement
Blacksburg, VA
2008 - 2011
Licensed Financial Specialist
Wachovia (now Wells Fargo)
Radford, VA
2006 - 2008
Agent
New York Life
Roanoke, VA
2004 - 2006
Manager
Nature's Outlet
Salem, VA
1999 - 2004
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Started a freelance business in the following areas of writing: Book, magazine, newsletter, social media, newspaper, editorial, journalism, news, feature, investigative, religion, copywriting, print, digital, email, fundraising, ghostwriting, poetry, storytelling, song writing, and publishing
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Author of the Children's book Series The Adventures of Scout & Kit
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Two books in this series have been released: The Berry Patch and I Wish I Lived in a Tree House
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Author visits to schools (as large as 500 students), libraries, and child care centers for story time and to teach children about writing, reading, and publishing
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Owner of the micro-publishing company, Roly Poly Books
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Format children's books using InDesign and Photoshop
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Publish books that are available for purchase world-wide, online, and in stores
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Book marketing and advertising
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Work directly with printers KDP and Ingram Spark
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Experience with paper and cover types, page bleeds, fonts, and color correction
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Developmental editing for children's books
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Writer and editor for Imagine Magazine and Virginia Tech News elevating University Libraries through storytelling. Imagine Magazine is mailed to approximately 7,000 alumni and donors and is available online and as a printable
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Researched, wrote, and published over 50 stories for VT News and Imagine Magazine
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Social media manager for 8+ professional social media accounts and pushed out critical, time sensitive information during the COVID19 pandemic. As content creator, design, write, and proofread engaging daily posts for all platforms. Through Twitter, engaged with a donor resulting in a $50K gift to the library. Substantially increased social media engagement and followers across all platforms. Increased engagement on Facebook alone by 5,468% in the first year. Increased followers across all social media accounts: Instagram 350%, TikTok 429%, LinkedIn 225%, Facebook 46%, and Twitter 36%
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Lead successful social media Giving Day campaign each year
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Write general library communications, copy for brochures, flyers, reports, and fundraising/donor correspondence including acknowledgement and endowment letters, birthday cards, event invitations, and email communications
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Edit and proofread copy by other writers and offer feedback
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Hiring manager, supervisor, trainer, and mentor for student employees who assist in creating social media content
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Spearhead and oversee all library donor events, large and small. Ensure donor relationships thrive
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Worked regularly within the AIMS/Blackbaud CRM system working with highly confidential donor information
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Employed during the successful $1 billion Boundless Impact campaign. We hit our goal at just 43% of the campaign time and increased the goal to $1.5 billion
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Writer and Editor for Christiansburg Neighbors Magazine
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Editor for Blacksburg Living Magazine
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Write and edit cover stories, family features, charity spotlights, kids corner, pet corner, event pages, recipes, sports, business profiles, expert contributor articles,, quick facts, letter to residents, and upload local real estate statistics.
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Work closely with professional photographer and make up artist for cover photos.
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Provided high-level administrative support for the Dean, Assistant Deans, and Chief of Staff
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Scheduled meetings, organized and de-conflicted calendars, problem solved, and multi-tasked and created the yearly Libraries Planning Calendar
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Hired and supervised 25+ student employees providing training, delegating tasks, approved payroll using Time Clock Plus (TCP), and utilized Handshake for student searches
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Extensive travel planning including flights, lodging, car rentals, maps, meals, etc. and processing reimbursements through the Virginia Tech (VT) Foundation and Virginia Tech's Travel Expense Management (TEM) system and Chrome River. Also worked with the University Libraries Financial System (ULFS)
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Expertly planned and seamlessly orchestrated events, mini-conferences, and retreats working within budgets, choosing venues, and negotiating with caterers, suppliers, and vendors. Designed flyers and invitations for events
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Transformed meeting spaces for events and supervised the boardroom calendar
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Assisted with library social media accounts including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest
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Generated agendas and compiled minutes for several reoccurring meetings
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Spearheaded the Dean's suite renovations including art, furniture, flooring, paint and space re-imagining
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Co-created and implemented the University Libraries Emergency Alert (ULEA) system and acted as lead administrator
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Oversaw the redesign for the library org chart and maintained updates
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Obtained important signatures, prepared letters, correspondence, and memos
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Worked with highly confidential documents, mail merges, maintained and created files
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Worked closely with the President and Provost's office as well as the Controller, VT Foundation, Advancement office, and the rest of the university community
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Employed during the successful 1 billion dollar Invent the Future campaign.
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Maintained and de-conflicted complex calendars, prioritized/managed daily projects, gathered research, compiled and analyzed data/reports/spreadsheets, met time-sensitive deadlines, answered phones and served as the main point of contact/liaison for administrative units, academic units, deans, donors, and visitors.
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Set appointments with and greeted donors, prospects, deans, faculty and staff
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Prepared correspondence, created/maintained files, managed projects, reports, and invitations. Typed and compiled meeting minutes, performed complex mailmerges, and worked with highly confidential documents
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Multi-tasked in a fast-paced work environment, problem solved daily, and worked independently as well as with the team
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Extensive travel planning including flights, lodging, car rentals, maps, meals, etc.
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Event planning, assisted with and served on search committees, and utilized PeopleAdmin to prepare resumes, applications, and interview documents
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Generated letters and interview packets in preparation for phone and campus interviews of candidates for searches, contacted high-profile candidates for interviews for various positions in University Advancement while working with the schedules of many high level executives. Created and evaluated extensive interview itineraries while coordinating travel plans and reimbursements
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Prospecting donors for fundraising using Virginia Tech's Banner system, built relationships with donors, provided excellent customer service. Posted contact reports as a tracking system, researched and ran reports, pulled profiles, and worked within DRWeb
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Served as liaison and mentor for up to 9 University Programs Development Associates
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Provided executive level support to the Senior Associate Vice President for Development and Principal Gifts in the absence of the Executive Assistant preparing agendas and creating high-impact presentations as needed
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Commercial and retail lending, business to business sales, and retail sales
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Investments, opening and maintaining accounts, and financial reviews
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Building relationships, customer service, prospecting, and generating new business
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Setting appointments, telephone skills, problem solving, and multi-tasking
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Running bank software (Pegasus) and maintaining highly confidential information
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Running my own outside sales agency in the areas of life insurance, long-term care insurance, annuities, mutual funds, and other financial investments
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Preparing and presenting presentations for business owners, employees, and families
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Prospecting, setting appointments, meeting with clients, financial planning, completing applications, composing letters, traveling, multi-tasking, working daily with confidential information
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Retail sales
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Supervised and trained up to 10 employees, delegated tasks to staff, prepared staff meetings
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Accounting, balanced register, pricing, merchandising
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Ordered from over 50 suppliers, inventory, merchandising
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Customer service, problem solving, multitasking
Awards, Recognition, & Mentions
CASE
June 2021
Sibley Magazine
June 2021
CASE
January 2021
Gold Circle of Excellence Award in Magazines on a Shoestring category, through the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) for the Spring/Summer 2020 issue of Imagine Magazine
Nomination and finalist for Sibley Magazine of the Year Award, awarded by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, Washington, D.C.
Silver CASE Award in CASE District III in Magazine on a Shoestring category
Service Recognition Award
January 2021
Certificate of Achievement
January 2021
Virginia Tech 10-year Service Recognition Award
Awarded by Virginia Tech in collaboration with the Blue Ridge Writing Project for participation in All Write: Virginia Tech's 2nd Annual Day of Writing
Virginia Tech Authors Recognition
February 2018
Virginia Tech Authors Recognition
February 2022
Social Media mentions for the children's book series, The Adventures of Scout & Kit
Recognized at the Virginia Tech Author's recognition event for the children's book, The Adventures of Scout & Kit: The Berry Patch
Recognized for a second time at the Virginia Tech Author's recognition event for the children's book, The Adventures of Scout & Kit: I Wish I Lived in a Treehouse
Featured in the following blogs, websites, newspapers, and social media channels:
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Used York City - 5 excellent gifts for little New Yorkers
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Dream Reader Kids
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Novels of New York
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Ginger Mom Reads
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Comfy Reading
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Ink Stains on my Sheets
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MyNovelEsqueLife
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Channel 10 Daytime Blue Ridge Show
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Salem Times Register
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Collegiate Times
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The Burgs
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NRV News
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Radford News Journal
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News Messenger
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Macaroni Kid
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Next 3 Days
Committees &
Professional Memberships
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Search Committees, University Libraries
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Stakeholder, Chief Advancement Officer for Moss Arts Center and University Libraries | March 2023
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Member, Graphic Designer | November 2022
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Member, Multimedia Producer | January 2022
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Member, Graphic Designer and Multimedia Producer | Fall 2021
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And many more
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Graphic Designer | February 2023
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Member, LibApps Taskforce | 2020
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Member, Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators | 2017 - 2018
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Author's Panel, Christiansburg Public Library | October 2016
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Member, Student Employee Application System (SEAS) Taskforce | 2016
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Member, Library Intranet Development Group | 2016 - 2017
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Member, Diversity Council | 2015 - 2018
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Member, Calendaring Committee | 2015
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Co-Chair, Social Committee | 2014 - 2016
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Member, Marketing Committee | 2014 - 2015
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Member, Community Engagement Advisory Team | 2014 - 2015
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Member, Social Media Group | 2013 - 2014
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Chair, Retirement Committee | 2013
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Member, Library Study Cafe Vision Group | 2012 - 2013
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Member, Roanoke Chamber of Commerce | 2005 - 2008
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Controller, Alpha Kappa Psi, Business Fraternity | 2001 - 2003
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Duties: designed yearly budget, collected dues, administered fines, planned activities, fundraising, and worked closely with Treasurer
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Founding Member of Theta Beta Chapter, Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority | 2001 - 2003
Service to Promote Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Diversity Workshop
April 2021
Diversity Council
Member
2015-2018
Diversity Workshop
December 2016
Diversity Workshop
July 2016
Diversity Workshop
June 2016
Member of the University Libraries Diversity Council representing the Dean's office. The council supports Virginia Tech's strategic plan goal to “foster a diverse and inclusive community that supports mutual respect” in the University Libraries and the Virginia Tech community.
Attended the diversity workshop, Diversity: Inclusion in the Modern Workplace.
Co-organized and attended the diversity workshop, Understanding Ourselves and our Multicultural Conflict. All 150 library employees were invited to attend.
Co-organized and attended the diversity workshop, Generations at Work. All 150 library employees were invited to attend.
Co-organized and attended the diversity workshop, Communicating Respectfully in a Diverse World. All 150 library employees were invited to attend.