EXPERIENCE   |   SOFTWARE EXPERTISE   |   EDUCATION   |   AWARDS AND HONORS   |   VOLUNTEER WORK

 

EXPERIENCE

WATUSI WORDS  — Lincoln, Mass.

Freelance Writer and Editor – Watusi Words (2012–present)

LINCOLN SQUIRREL — Lincoln, Mass.

Writer, Editor, Photographer, Webmaster – The Lincoln Squirrel (2012–present)

  • I’m the creator and primary content provider for a hyperlocal news website covering my home town of Lincoln, Mass.
  • I research local news and events, interview subjects, write stories, take photos, and upload content to the WordPress website I created.
  • Proficient in WordPress, MailChimp, Google Analytics, Photoshop, etc.
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY — Cambridge, Mass.

Communications Director – Leaders for Global Operations (2011–2016)

  • Wrote news and features articles about the program for website and press releases; planned marketing and communications strategy.
  • Wrote, edited and updated web pages using SEO best practices; contributed to planning for website redesign.
  • Wrote fund-raising letters aimed at program alumni and others.
  • Planned and executed social media campaigns on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
  • Wrote, edited and oversaw production of print publications such as brochure and reports.

Marketing and Communications Specialist – Medical Department (2008–2011)

  • Wrote news stories for MIT Medical website and MIT News Office website.
  • Wrote and designed numerous brochures, flyers, and health plan member handbooks.
  • Helped write, design and maintain two public websites and MIT Medical intranet; reorganized and rewrote Mental Health and the Community Wellness sections of MIT Medical website.
  • Designed and produced a monthly departmental newsletter (print and online).
  • Taught “Introduction to Social Media,” “Microsoft Word Basics” and “Computer Basics” to colleagues in MIT Medical.

Communications Officer – Student Financial Services (2005–2008)

  • Executed total revamp of 180-page SFS web site, including designing information architecture, writing all content, working with design firm, usability testing, trouble-shooting, site maintenance, additional post-launch development, etc.
  • Wrote, edited, designed and supplied artwork for print publications including“Making MIT Affordable,” Loan Exit Counseling Guide, brochures, and departmental forms.
  • Gathered and analyzed student financial aid data using BrioQuery for distribution to U.S. News and World Report and other sources.
SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN — Savannah, Ga.

Executive Editor – Communications Department (2004–2005)

  • Edited a wide variety of college publications for style and clarity.
  • Managed three junior editors; assigned projects and oversaw work.
  • Tracked publication jobs through the writing, editing, design, correction, and printing phases.
  • Wrote articles for alumni publications.
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY — Cambridge, Mass.

Editor – News Office (1996–2004)

  • Created editorial schedule for MIT Tech Talk (the weekly faculty/staff newspaper) and the News Office web site; designed project management database for stories and photos.
  • Edited all stories; worked with writers and news sources on content revision and approval.
  • Wrote science/engineering, general news, and features stories
  • Designed newspaper pages with Adobe InDesign
  • Created and maintain web pages.
  • Coordinated newspaper production and distribution; managed advertising and subscriptions.

Assistant Editor/Staff Writer – News Office (1993–1996)

  • Wrote several stories a week on science and engineering, university administration, student news, and features.
  • Designed and produced newspaper pages using Adobe PageMaker.
MIDDLETOWN PRESS  — Middletown, Conn.

Reporter and Bureau Chief (1991–1993)

  • Wrote an average of two stories per day on medical news and Middlesex Memorial Hospital, various town beats, and higher education/Wesleyan University.
  • Promoted from reporter in 1992.
PICTORIAL GAZETTE — Old Saybrook, Conn.

Assistant Editor and Reporter (1989–1991)

  • Wrote an average of six stories per week on local government, features, medical and engineering news, etc.
  • Mentored staff of five reporters; edited stories; did headline writing, layout, and photography.
THE INTERFACE GROUP, INC. — Needham, Mass.

Assistant Managing Editor (1987–1990)

  • Wrote stories on computer industry.
  • Designed pages for large newspaper published every day during Comdex trade shows in Las Vegas, Atlanta and Chicago.
  • Promoted from assistant editor/staff writer in 1989.
INTERNATIONAL DATA GROUP — Framingham, Mass.

Copy Editor (1986–1987)

  • Copy-edited pages and wrote headlines for Micro MarketWorld, an industry publication for computer resellers.
TOWN CRIER — Sudbury, Mass.

Reporter and Photographer (1983–1984)

  • Wrote news stories and features and took photos for weekly newspaper covering the towns of Sudbury, Wayland and Weston.

SOFTWARE EXPERTISE

  • Web site design and maintenance: WordPress, Drupal, Wix, Dreamweaver
  • Print design: InDesign, QuarkXPress
  • Words, images, numbers: Photoshop, Google Docs/Sheets/Slides, Microsoft Office suite (advanced user of Word), Acrobat Pro
  • Social media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Tumblr, Storify
  • Email marketing: MailChimp, Constant Contact, MyEmma
  • Database management: FileMaker Pro, BrioQuery

EDUCATION

Master’s degree in journalism (M.J.), 1986 — University of California Graduate School of Journalism

  • Coursework included general news reporting, broadcast journalism production, copy editing, science writing.
  • Did summer internship with WCVB-TV in Boston, assisting with researching, interviewing, writing, and videotape editing for medical stories on topics including arthroscopic knee surgery, smokeless tobacco, etc.
  • Wrote thesis on medical benefits of MDMA in psychotherapy.

Bachelor of arts (A.B.) magna cum laude, 1983 — Bowdoin College

  • Double major in English and psychology

Science coursework, 2006–2008 — Massachusetts Bay Community College

  • Earned an A– average in Biology, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology

AWARDS AND HONORS

  • Finalist for Investigative Report of the Year (solo category) award from LION (Local Independent Online News), 2020
  • Bright Light award from the Town of Lincoln for writing and publishing the Lincoln Squirrel, 2015
  • MIT Appreciation Award (co-winner with MIT Medical webmaster) for quick work on the website for Eating Disorders Conference, 2009
  • MIT Infinite Mile Award for Customer Service (as part of Student Financial Services administrative team), 2007
  • Best Humor Column (third prize), New England Press Association, 1989

VOLUNTEER WORK