education

University of Sydney, Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences
M.A. Digital Communication and Culture
Emphasis on media studies, digital publishing, and language and culture
Thesis: “The Authorship Game: Online content production in the age of the algorithm”
JULY 2011 – PRESENT

Michigan State University, College of Arts & Letters
B.A. Professional Writing
Emphasis on writing, editing, and publishing; Coursework included technical writing, advanced technical writing, multimedia writing, editing and style, web authoring, visual rhetoric and document design, and publication workshop
With honors
JANUARY 2002 – MAY 2005

experience

Tutor – Writing & Rhetoric
University of Sydney Writing Hub
JULY 2011 – PRESENT

  • Teach students to construct persuasive, ethical, and engaging arguments
  • Develop lectures and assessments for visual and digital rhetoric
  • Direct activities and tasks in networked tutorials
  • Assess work and provide constructive feedback throughout the writing process

Editor & Writer
Freelance
2006 – PRESENT

  • Provide copy editing and developmental editing; proofreading; and document design
  • Work with digital and print publications, such as cover letters, resumes, academic publications, feature writing, technical writing, and press releases
  • Knowledge of Chicago Manual of Style, AP Stylebook, and MLA Style

Assistant Language Teacher
Fukushima Board of Education, Japan
AUGUST 2008 – JULY 2011

  • Planned and implemented English lessons for oral communication and business English at an international senior high school
  • Assisted with internationalization events and activities, including support of exchange student program
  • Edited and proofread translations
  • Prepared students for university entrance interviews, ESL presentations, and ESL speeches

Constituent Communications Manager
American Cancer Society, East Lansing, MI
FEBRUARY 2007 – JULY 2008

  • Managed production of monthly e-newsletter, including researching, writing, and editing articles
  • Led editorial board for monthly e-newsletter and maintained publishing schedule
  • Managed production of weekly internal e-newsletter
  • Created written and interactive content for intranet while developing further use of site within organization
  • Managed Division-specific event websites
  • Supervised Constituent Communications staff and interns

Client Services Specialist
CSM Worldwide, Northville, MI
MAY 2005 – FEBRUARY 2007

  • Created and managed layout of monthly and quarterly print materials
  • Edited and proofed all creative content before release to clients
  • Coordinated and supported product publication and distribution
  • Maintained corporate publishing schedule

Research Assistant
WIDE Research Center, East Lansing, MI
MARCH 2005 – MAY 2005

  • Facilitated usability testing sessions of a course management system
  • Compiled and analyzed data for company and research purposes
  • Co-authored research reports

Content Developer & Web Designer
MSU Usability & Accessibility Center, East Lansing, MI
JANUARY 2005 – MAY 2005

  • Compiled and edited content for website prototypes
  • Participated in prototype testing at the developmental and usability stages
  • Developed marketing-based content for UAC to be cross-applied to a variety of genres
  • Worked collaboratively to redesign the UAC website

Documentation Editor & Writer
LON-CAPA Development Team, East Lansing, MI
AUGUST 2004 – MAY 2005

  • Edited content in existing manuals and open-source system
  • Wrote needed documentation for tutorials and help sections
  • Created quick reference guides for LON-CAPA course coordinators

Writing & Digital Consultant
MSU Writing Center, East Lansing, MI
AUGUST 2004 – MAY 2005

  • Provided one-on-one support to undergraduate and graduate students and faculty
  • Assisted clients with brainstorming, drafting, revising, and editing of writing and media compositions for courses from a variety of disciplines
  • Co-facilitated workshops and classroom presentations

Editorial Intern
Fourth Genre, East Lansing, MI
JANUARY 2004 – MAY 2005

  • Co-managed 500-600 manuscripts per reading period for a nationally-circulating and award-winning journal of creative non-fiction
  • Participated in manuscript screening process and provided line and developmental editing
  • Composed manuscript reviews and standard and special rejections
  • Facilitated expansion and update of website

digital publications & editorial work

Colours in My Hand by Ayako Rokkaku. Editor. JUNE 2011

You Are Here: Writing for Tohoku. “A Chance Encounter”. Contributing writer and editor, Charity ebook for Tohoku earthquake and tsunami disaster relief. APRIL 2011

beyondwords: a blog for professional writers, editors, and designers. Creator and co-author. APRIL 2008 – PRESENT

Voices of the American Cancer Society. Managing editor and writer. JULY 2007 – JULY 2008

Cherokee Nation Allotment Interactive Webspace. “The allotment era in Cherokee history 1887-1914”. Contributor, Michigan State University Multimedia Class. FALL 2005

presentations

“Professional Writing Abroad: International and Cross-cultural Communication” (Virtual presentation) for Lansing Community College, Authorship in the Digital Age Course. APRIL 2010

“Teaching Pronunciation in the Classroom: L and R” for Fukushima JET Mid-Year Seminar Workshop.
NOVEMBER 2009

“First Impressions: Working the job interview” for Michigan State University, WRA 455 Portfolio Seminar. FEBRUARY 2008

“Technical Communication and the American Cancer Society” for Lansing Community College, Technical Writing 124 Class. OCTOBER 2007

awards & activities

University of Sydney Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences Teaching Development Program eLearning Module, SEPTEMBER 2011

University of Sydney Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences Teaching Development Program, AUGUST 2011

Tanemaki Network Friend, 2011

The Writing Akabekos Workshop Creator and Organizer, 2010 – 2011

Fukushima JET News Writer and Content Editor, APRIL 2009 – APRIL 2010

Kalmia International and Cultural Exchange Member, AUGUST 2008 – AUGUST 2010

Relay For Life Volunteer, 2000-2007

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Volunteer, OCTOBER 2007

Professional Writing Community & Industry Advisory Board Member, APRIL 2007

WritingTech Faculty Technology Training Workshop Consultant, AUGUST 2004

Dorothy Yoshimori Award for American Humanities & Literature Recipient, MAY 2004