JOURNALISM & COMMUNICATION EXPERIENCE

Creative Writing Program, California State University, Fresno
• Communication specialist, 2015-present
Working for the Department of English, I serve the Master of Fine Arts Program in Creative Writing as its public affairs coordinator and administrative support assistant.

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 EXPERIENCE

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.

 

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Fresno Filmworks, Fresno, CA
• Board member, 2012-present
I serve as President for all-volunteer nonprofit’s first-run international and multicultural movie screenings, which include the annual Fresno Film Festival. I oversee board operations, and I also work on social media and sponsorships.
• 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.

90.7 KFSR, California State University, Fresno
• Disc jockey and radio host, 2008-2011
Volunteered as on-air talent and interviewer for campus station’s Evening Eclectic program.

 

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 Mass Communication and Journalism, 1996
Key coursework: Reporting, Photojournalism, Public Affairs Reporting, Editing for Publications, Desktop Publishing.

 

HONORS AND AWARDS

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 Mass Communication and Journalism Department at California State University, Fresno

 

SKILLS AND INTERESTS

Reporting, writing, blogging, editing, graphic design and layout, photojournalism, field recording and audio production, and teaching/training.

AP Style, InDesign, Audition, WordPress, basic Photoshop and Illustrator, and Microsoft Office.

Music, movies, books, arts and culture, home improvement, and college basketball.