Summary
I've worked as an editor for more than five years; I'm a ninja at helping others pitch their communications for the appropriate audience, and at making sure communications are clear, engaging, and readable. And despite my training as an academic, I have strong social skills; I spent almost twenty years working in hospitality, retail, and office environments before going back to graduate school, and I have a record of strong and successful client relationships.
I work well both collaboratively and independently and thrive in deadline-driven, fast-paced environments. I am technologically savvy, with skills in various markup languages, including basic familiarity with HTML5, Jekyll, and LaTeX and expert-level skills in Markdown and Microsoft Word. I pick up new skills very quickly. I am familiar with collaboration tools such as Basecamp and Slack and with version control, including use of Github; I am competent in spreadsheet management and even know a smattering about database structure and MySQL.
Editing
I have edited more than a hundred journal articles, conference papers, dissertations, book manuscripts, and grant applications for researchers in STEM fields (computer science, computer engineering, biology, math education, physics/astronomy), the social sciences (anthropology, medical anthropology, political science, economics, education, environmental psychology, clinical psychology, information science), and the humanities (history, religious studies, English literature, communications).
Services provided include everything from developmental editing (substantive restructuring focusing on clarity of argument and global organization) to production of camera-ready copy for publication. I'm conversant with multiple style guides, including the Big Three academic styles (MLA, APA, Chicago). I've also edited funded grant applications (both internal and federal), including NSF and NIH grants.
Writing
I've produced formal, informal, and technical documents for multiple audiences, ranging from federal grant applications to encylopedia entries to pedagogical material to blog posts.
Selected Writing
- CCAMPIS (Federal; US Department of Education); Carolina Women’s Center, UNC-CH (March-May 2009). Synthesized research for, drafted, and revised federal grant proposal in collaboration with the director of the CWC.
- Ueltschi Course Development Grant (Internal); self, UNC-CH (March 2010). Wrote funded proposal for development of service-learning First Year Writing courses, in collaboration with Dr. Jordynn Jack and Melissa Birkhofer.
- Online Service-Learning Pedagogy Guide, APPLES, UNC-CH (March-April 2010). Researched, synthesized, and created materials for faculty guide to service-learning pedagogy in collaboration with Dr. Marcie Fisher-Borne.
Speaking
I am an expert in giving both formal and informal presentations; my speaking experience includes 10 years speaking in front of classrooms (where I taught presentation skills) and multiple professional conference presentations.
Selected Presentations
- “Sartorial Sociality: Fashioning Friendships in James and Wharton” Northeast Modern Language Association. Montreal, Quebec: April 2010.
- “Literary Dress: Fashioning the Fictional Self.” Co-Organizer. Northeast Modern Language Association. New Brunswick, NJ: April 2011.
- “From The Decoration of Houses to The Book of Homelessness: Edith Wharton and Expatriation.” South Atlantic Modern Language Association. Durham, NC: November 2012.
- Course Model Sessions, APPLES Faculty Development Institute (With Dr. Marcy Fisher-Bourne May 2010, Dr. Darcy Lear May 2011): Collaboratively designed, organized, and presented 1-2 hour workshops on service-learning course design and pedagogy to UNC faculty.
Teaching
I've taught students at every level, from elite college students to developing writers at a community college to four-year-olds; I'm very good at assessing my audience's needs and tailoring my communication accordingly.
- Designed and taught 16 writing courses and 3 writing-intensive literature courses (January 2005-May 2015); assessed student work and maintained all student records and administrative files, including attendance records and grade spreadsheets. Received the C. S. Herschel Award for Excellence in Course Design in both 2006 and 2010
- Worked one-on-one with students as a tutor, offering personalized writing instruction and coaching (September 2011-December 2011)
- Taught 12-15 reading enrichment classes per week to groups ranging in age from pre-K to adults for the Institute of Reading Development, a private skill-development company (2005)
Other Experience
I've worked with colleagues across multiple levels and departments at UNC, from the vice-provost to faculty to graduate students. I've worked every possible position in restaurants, including manager, line cook, wait, bartender, and host. I've worked as an administrative assistant running the day-to-day operations of a small law firm. I can work successfully with any colleague and any customer you throw at me.
Education
Ph.D. in English from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, May 2015
B.A. in English from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, May 1992