This site is the result of one of my final courses toward my master's in Marketing, Communication and Advertising at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I started my graduate studies in 2001 after having been out of the classroom for nearly 20 years, and after one class per semester, received my M.A. in journalism/advertising in May 2008.
Here's what got me where I am and more about my background, qualifications and experience.
I grew up in York, attended a wonderful Catholic grade school where I discovered early on my enjoyment for writing and for journalism: I always knew I wanted to be a newspaper reporter. I worked for the YHS Campus Crier and went to Kearney State College after graduation in 1981. In 1983 I transferred to UNL and continued my studies in news-editorial journalism, earning my bachelor's in 1986. My first reporting job was at the Beatrice Daily Sun, then on to the Lincoln Star in 1988 (I had Lacey in college and Tyler in 1988 before my job at the Lincoln Star). I had my first taste of public relations at the Central Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact Commission (that's a mouthful!) in 1989-1991 and then moved to York after my last son Connor was born in 1991, and enjoyed working at the York News-Times, working for several different beats, and in 1995 I moved the family to Kearney to be news editor at the Kearney Hub. When the managing editor's spot came open at York in 1996 I moved back to York where I've lived ever since. After three years serving as M.E. at York I looked to give public relations a try again and got a job at UNL as national news editor/senior newswriter. I've worked at UNL for eight years in several different roles, but focusing mainly on media relations, newswriting and pitching news stories; in 2005 I earned a new spot as news manager and my focus continues on media relations, and now on crisis and issues management. I often serve as spokesperson for the university while managing and overseeing the development and distribution of news for internal and external UNL audiences.
I do freelance writing and content development and can consult on media training, communication planning, marketing plans, market research and message development as my time allows. My M.A. coursework has given me expertise in interactive media, script-writing and development of broadcast commercials, strategic and integrated marketing.
I have special niche skills in national media placements, media training and issues/crisis management.
This Web site is a place for me to exhibit the portfolio of my work and create some two-way conversations about the challenges today in public relations, marketing and communication.
My real love is my family, my amazing kids and husband Steve, my parents and grandparents and my brothers and their families. I teach guitar lessons; I've played guitar since I was a kid and I like to share my talent with my church and with others. My immediate family enjoys water-skiing and tubing and summer sun and water at Nebraska lakes, and Steve and I have had fun being bikers, me riding on the back of his Honda motorcyle.
Call me if you have any questions about anything I've posted on my site: I enjoy my job and what I do and I'd be glad to help you out if you need me. Check out my portfolio and blog and send me e-mail.