Amanda Castro-Crist Email and Phone Number

As a media relations specialist in the university’s Office of Communications & Marketing, my beats included the J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts, the College of Education, the Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, the Museums, the Spirit Program and Campus Life, Non-Academic Departments and the Office of the President. I wrote news releases, advisories and feature stories for Texas Tech Today, the institution’s official news source. I also pitched experts to media contacts, coordinated interviews for campus sources and planned and led media events. I served on the Spirit Committee, which is responsible for selecting the students who will serve as the Masked Rider and Raider Red each year.

I was a writing intern in the Office of Communications & Marketing. I wrote news releases and advisories, feature stories and other content for Texas Tech Today, the official news source for the university. I also attended news events, distributed releases and advisories to media outlets and completed clerical duties.

I wrote and read daily news on-air at the Texas Tech student radio station. I launched and co-hosted an hour-long, bi-weekly 90s show during the fall 2015 semester, and continued hosting a Throwback Thursday music and talk show.

I updated and published information daily on the internal network for coworkers at headquarters and at seven customer service centers around the country. I completed an audit and edit of departmental level set definitions guide. I also collaborated with employees at 80 airports to update and maintain database of operational information for each station.

I was a crime and breaking news reporter for a daily print and digital newspaper. I shot photos and video; helped distribute online content and managed social media; and covered general assignments as needed. I also occasionally filled in for online editors, which included editing copy and uploading content using a Drupal content management system.My first position with the paper was as a summer intern. I wrote general assignment, feature, crime and breaking news stories; shot photos and video; created web content and promoted it on social media; and assisted with editing and design.

As the editor-in-chief for The Ranger, the student newspaper for Amarillo College. I managed a staff of about 15 to 20 college students that included page editors, reporters, photojournalists, video journalists, graphic design artists, cartoonists and advertising representatives. I created and distributed assignments; designed and created the layout of the front page; led meetings; completed a secondary edit before publication; and worked closely with the online editor to distribute content. I also resolved staff conflicts, trained new staff members, planned and orchestrated Student Media events, collaborated with other departments to plan campus events and presentations and completed community outreach and recruitment projects.Other achievements:● Created and implemented a social media policy and campaign that led to a 137 percent increase in followers on Facebook, a 90 percent increase on Twitter, and a 255 percent increase on Instagram. ● Expanded the bi-monthly print paper from six to eight pages, and the website to include special coverage and sections.● Created and launched a weekly web show, BadgerBS, which increased online campus engagement and awareness of the Student Media department.● Work completed by Student Media won more than 90 statewide, national and campus awards.● Raised funds for the AC Food Pantry, and conducted a domestic violence awareness campaign.

After completing a summer radio class, I spent the remainder of the summer working as a disc jockey at the AC student radio station, FM90. I monitored slot shows; queued public service announcements; read live announcements; and answered phone calls from listeners.

I distributed print content online using WordPress. I restructured the entire website and implemented and managed an event calendar and weekly poll. Weekly content included 20 to 30 pieces of student work, including stories, photographs and videos. I also assisted page designers of AC Current, the biyearly student magazine, by creating content and designing pages.

As a state specialist, I worked with self-pay patients at a contracted medical facility to screen, determine eligibility, and complete and submit applications for assistance programs, including Medicaid, Social Security Disability, and Crime Victims' Assistance. I became familiar with various programs from multiple states. I implemented several processes to increase efficiency in the office, including building relationships with local and state agencies and hospital personnel, creating training guides, and training new employees. I also trained for advancement into a team leader position.I started as an advocate assistant before moving into the role of medical benefits evaluator - in this role, I assisted the state and federal specialists with their duties and also worked with self-pay patients to screen, determine eligibility, and complete applications for public assistance programs. I also handled daily office duties, including filing, processing mail, completing reports, answering phones, and assisting walk-in clients.

As a preschool teacher for 4-year-olds, I led a group of 10 to 15 children in daily activities built around a Christian core, with emphasis on age-appropriate subjects including handwriting, colors, and numbers and letters. I wrote lesson plans and prepared schedules; created new learning modules; led indoor and outdoor learning and free-time activities; helped the children prepare for events; resolved conflicts; and collaborated with other teachers for joint-class projects. I also met with parents and guardians as needed; decorated, cleaned and organized my classroom; trained new teachers; and monitored the children during special events and meal, snack and nap times.