Arts Administration
Department of English, California State University, Fresno
• Communication specialist, 2015-present
Work includes a wide range of communications and administrative duties, including: writing and producing for print, video, email marketing, and web; managing social media, blog sites, and websites; fundraising and philanthropic development; engaging with alumni and community; managing multimedia archives; planning and producing literary and scholarly events; providing office support, including budgets, for a department of 400+ students and 100+ employees.
Fresno Filmworks, Fresno, CA
• Board member, 2012-2021
Served the all-volunteer nonprofit in multiple roles, including: president, development director, communication director, sponsorships coordinator, advertising coordinator, and volunteer. Produced and led comprehensive strategic campaigns for the annual Fresno Film Festival, developed community outreach strategies, and managed student interns.
• Marketing assistant, 2009-2012
Write, edit, and produce monthly newsletter and marketing collateral.
• Board member, 2007-2009
Chair of sponsorship committee and member of marketing committee.
Literary Editing and Publishing
Scrub Jay Press
• Publisher, 2024-present
The Normal School magazine
• Business Manager, 2015-present
• Interviews Editor, 2020-2024
Philip Levine Prize for Poetry book contest
• Business Manager, 2015-present
San Joaquin Review
• Editor-in-Chief, Spring 2005
• Managing Editor, Spring 2004
Journalism and Media
KQED Public Radio, San Francisco, CA
• Freelance producer, 2011-2014
Produced feature stories and gathered sound recordings for statewide broadcast on The California Report radio program. Included conducting background research, gathering tape and interviews, writing and editing scripts, and voicing stories. Also: research, tape syncs, logging tape, and production work for NPR and other public radio outlets.
The Fresno Bee, Fresno, CA
• Copy editor and news page designer, 2001-2003
Front-page editing and direction of major news events including the Sept. 11 attacks, the start of the Iraq war, and a special report on Hmong teen suicide in Fresno County.
The Modesto Bee, Modesto, CA
• Copy editor and news page designer, 1999-2001
Front-page editing and direction of major news events including the disputed 2000 presidential race, the Scott and Laci Peterson case, and the Yosemite killings and trial.
The Daily Republic, Fairfield, CA
• Copy editor and news page designer, 1996-1999
Front-page editing and direction of major news events including the death of Princess Diana and the Columbine High School massacre.
The Press-Standard, Gustine, CA
• Reporter and photographer, 1996
Dinuba Sentinel, Dinuba, CA
• Reporter and photographer, 1989-1993
Part-time while attending high school and college.
Teaching
State Center Community College District, Fresno, CA
• Journalism Instructor, 2009-2014
Courses taught: Media Writing; Introduction to Mass Communication; Introduction to Film Studies; Cinema History 1960-Present; College Reading and Composition; and Newspaper Production.
California State University, Fresno
• Journalism Instructor, 2002-2009 and 2014
Courses taught: Media Ethics; Reporting; Editing of Publications; In-depth Reporting; Newspaper Production; and Desktop Publishing.
• Faculty Adviser, The Collegian, 2007-2009
Taught editorial leadership and oversaw 25+ students in the daily production of print and online content for the award-winning, student-run campus newspaper.
• Instructor, Central California High School Journalism Workshop, 2005-2007
Taught copy editing and news page design to 15 students of color during an intense 10-day workshop that culminated in a published newspaper.
College of the Sequoias, Visalia, CA
• English Instructor, 2010-2011
Courses taught: College Reading and Composition; and Survey of British Literature II.
Heald College, Fresno, CA
• English Instructor, 2010-2011
Courses taught: College Reading and Composition; Writing Skills for College.
Volunteering
Creative Writing Alumni Chapter, California State University, Fresno
• President, 2016-present
Founding member of the Fresno State Alumni Association’s all-volunteer creative writing chapter, creating on-ground and online gathering spaces for Fresno writers and raising funds for student scholarships.
Valley Public Radio, Fresno, CA
• Advisory Council Member, 2016-2018
90.7 KFSR, California State University, Fresno
• Evening Eclectic radio host, 2008-2011
Education
California State University, Fresno
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, 2007
Key coursework: Form and Theory of Creative Nonfiction, Literary Journalism, Autoethnography, Biography/Autobiography, American Nature Writing.
Thesis manuscript: “What Can’t Be Erased,” a collection of personal essays on identity, memory, and coming of age in California’s central San Joaquin Valley. Chair: Dr. John Hales, author of “Shooting Polaris: A Personal Survey in the American West.”
California State University, Fresno
Bachelor of Arts in Media, Communications and Journalism, 1996
Key coursework: Reporting, Photojournalism, Public Affairs Reporting, Editing for Publications, Desktop Publishing.
Honors and Awards
2019-2023 Recipient: President’s Faculty and Staff Service Award for community volunteering – From the Jan and Bud Richter Center for Community Engagement at California State University, Fresno
2008 Nominee: Pushcart Prize – “A Collection of Things,” an essay from In The Grove magazine
2007 Nominee: Graduate Dean’s Medal – From the English Department at California State University, Fresno
2001 Winner: McClatchy “Best of the Bee” Award – Best News Page Design from The Fresno Bee
1996 Winner: Outstanding Graduate Award – From the Media, Communications and Journalism Department at California State University, Fresno
Skills and Interests
Editorial leadership, literary publishing, relationship building, strategic communications, and teaching/mentoring.
Reporting, writing, blogging, editing, graphic design and layout, photojournalism, field recording and audio production.
AP Style, InDesign, Audition, WordPress, basic Photoshop and Illustrator, and Microsoft Office.
Music, movies, books, arts and culture, and basketball.
