Education
M.A. Communication & Advocacy
GPA: 3.97
B.A. Communications
In 2023, I earned my Master’s Degree in Communication & Advocacy with a concentration in Environmental Advocacy from James Madison University. Throughout my graduate program, I learned what it means to intentionally engage in environmental advocacy work. I expanded my understanding of the vital need for recognizing, protecting, and honoring land areas-as well as current/historical relationships that communities have in relation to land areas. My professors provided the space for my fellow cohort members and I to consistently challenge ourselves throughout our time in this program. They encouraged us to think critically, participate in and lead meaningful discussions, properly defend our research and work experiences, all while recognizing our strengths as students throughout the process. I was so grateful to learn from, and alongside, such an incredible group of mentors.
Alongside my graduate studies, I was a part of the JMU teaching assistantship program. During this time, I worked as a graduate instructor and was responsible for teaching various sections of the general education presentational speaking course at JMU. I gained multiple years of leadership, teaching, and management experience working as a instructor. I was responsible for constructing my own course syllabus and calendar, grading student work (including presentations), uploading student grades onto the university web portal, the creation of course assignments (and course lecture PowerPoints), and facilitating course lectures and student presentations. My dedication to fostering an inclusive classroom environment provided a space for students to view themselves as people who require, and deserve, meaningful engagement with their instructors, peers, and academic material. My class was always a safe space for students. It was a place where students felt encouraged to work on their communication skills without fear of judgement.
At the end of each semester, all JMU students are encouraged to submit course evaluations. All course evaluation responses are completely anonymous, and instructors are able to review these responses. One of the questions was "What did the instructor do well in terms of creating an environment that showed respect for students, inclusivity, and a sense of belonging?" This is what my students had to say...
Additionally, I was remotely interning for the Great Dismal Swamp Stakeholder Collaborative (GDSSC) and furthering my work experience as an environmental advocate. The collaborative consists of a diverse group of stakeholders who protect the Great Dismal Swamp area by reframing narratives and understandings of place. My time with the GDSSC greatly expanded my perception of environmental advocacy as a whole. I now have a new lens for understanding the historical and relational complexities of land areas, and the significance of the efforts being made towards protecting these areas. As an intern, I helped maintain and strengthen stakeholder relationships, coordinated/hosted leadership team and bi-annual meetings, provided a digital written record of each meeting, managed email communication for the leadership team (sending out collaborative wide emails and connecting with stakeholders on behalf of the team), produced media content (forms, flyers, announcements, RSVP lists), and represented the GDSSC during a tour of the Great Dismal Swamp area with stakeholders.
In May of 2023, I defended my internship work in front of a committee and passed my defense. I officially graduated from the program with a 3.97 GPA.
Publications
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I am the lead author, alongside my co-author Matt Brigham, of the journal article “The Unheard Voices of Environmental Justice: An Analysis of Dear Future Generations: Sorry.” which is currently published in Volume 51 of the Northwest Journal of Communication. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to present the journal article at an international environmental conference in 2023.
I am credited as the director, videographer, and video editor of the videos Rose and Sparkler. These are both a part of "Biplane", which is a project by Michael Broderick that is currently published in Volume 20 of the Liminalities Journal of Performance Studies.
Public Affairs Work
After graduate school, i worked as a Public Affairs Specialist for a public government agency. During this time, I gained additional experience in social media management, event planning, community relations, and media relations. I had managed multiple social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, X), and was producing/publishing short-form video content for the agency. Additionally, I managed email communications for the PA office, constructed key documents that were used by agency officials, helped arrange and oversee media engagements, coordinated team meetings, and traveled to/attended events with team members.
Throughout my time here, I was able to assist in the production of a large scale (week-long) event that took place in a New York City, as well as a work conference that took place in Philadelphia. During the NYC event, I worked alongside the production teams of two major talk shows (which are both based in the city). For both shows, I acted as a representative from the agency and helped ensure that all personnel were efficiently checked in and seated for the show. Additionally, I joined team members and personnel for the live tapings of both shows. i was tasked with filming Instagram Reels of personnel attending both shows (and meeting with the hosts after). Later that week, I assisted another agency representative in overseeing personnel performing live on air for the morning segment of a major news show based in the city.
