Curriculum Vitae

Work Experience:

Independent writer, editor, researcher, April 2009 to present

  • Developing case studies on civic leadership for the Kansas Leadership Center.
    • Completed 10 in-depth, factual narratives modeled after materials used by the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.  At least four additional cases are under development.
    • Materials provide in-depth depictions of actual Kansas situations for educational use in Kansas Leadership Center programs and in other classroom settings across the state.
    • Graduate of The Art and Practice of Civic Leadership Development, a master’s level-type program designed to further develop the KLC’s faculty pool.
  • Creating materials for the KLC that aid instructors using the case studies and the experiential Case-in-Point method to help increase the leadership capacity of individuals.
  • Regularly contributes blog posts and newspaper columns on civic leadership issues through the KLC’s Web site and commentary service.
  • Completing various other freelance writing assignments focused on health and public policy issues.

Statehouse Correspondent, Harris News Service, November 2005 to April 2009

  • Provided extensive coverage of politics and legislative issues for five Kansas newspapers while based in the Statehouse.
  • Demonstrated strong writing, editing and analytical skills while working in an extremely competitive media environment.
  • Regularly broke important stories and reports that provided depth and context to news events affecting the group’s readership.
  • Communicated successfully with a diverse network of sources in local, state and national government and politics.
Investigative/Government Reporter, The Hutchinson News, October 2003 to November 2005

  • Honed reporting and communication skills to work with sources and deliver accurate information to the public through newspaper reports.
  • Used analytical skills to contribute in-depth analyses of government spending and procedures.
  • Won top honors in state press competitions and furthered reputation for accuracy, fairness and excellence in reporting.
Education Reporter, The Hutchinson News, June 2000 to September 2002

  • Built on six years of part-time experience and internships in journalism.

Education:

Master of Science, International Politics, University of Edinburgh, September 2003

  • Earned degree from internationally recognized Scottish university while traveling extensively.
  • Developed working relationships with students from around the world and academics within the United Kingdom.
Bachelor of Arts, Mass Communication, Baker University, May 2000

  • Graduated Summa Cum Laude, 3.94 GPA.
  • Served with distinction as campus newspaper editor and fraternity vice president.