As a dedicated instructor of graduate-level, asynchronous courses such as Message Design for Learning and Mobile Learning Technologies, I create interactive activities and assessments to equip future instructional designers with essential skills in instructional design, communication, collaboration, and project management. Courses emphasize:Emerging Technologies: I guide designers in integrating new technologies in K-12, higher education, school libraries, and corporate/nonprofit/government training settings. They also learn how to apply and evaluate them as well as consider the ethical implications of using them. Empathy, Equity, and Excellence: Through a lens of empathy and equity, I prepare students to design inclusive and socially responsible learning experiences. My curriculum incorporates readings, videos, podcasts, and research from a diverse range of voices, including those from historically marginalized communities.Human-centered Design: I prioritize principles such as Universal Design for Learning, design justice, social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, enabling designers to see the impact of thoughtful design in advancing education for all as well as understanding the importance of designing with learners instead of for them.This approach provides a well-rounded foundation in instructional design, ensuring learners are both skillful and mindful as they create meaningful, accessible learning experiences in various settings.

Lead efforts to increase the visibility of the college and its programs, students, alumni, and faculty.Review and edit existing promotional materials for marketing effectiveness and adherence to brand and identity guidelines. Develop content for brochures, invitations, newsletters, magazines, HTML targeted emails, speeches, and other publications for dissemination to internal and external audiences. Collaborate with faculty and staff to best position and promote the college’s online presence, including messaging, and management of social networking sites. Coordinate communications projects with vendors and contractors for the development and production of promotional materials, website, and other collateral. Collaborate with the Office of Marketing and Communications to achieve college and university goals.

Directed marketing and communications efforts for the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Served as primary media relations contact.Led website redesign project, which resulted in improved usability and user experience. Saved $8,000 by managing the project instead of using outside contractor. Wrote and edited news releases, feature articles, and other items to promote research, academic programs, and community engagement activities. Oversaw writing, editing, layout, design, and photo selection for brochures, advertisements, and other publications. Relaunched newsletter and facilitated creation of new format to improve readability, provide consistent branding and messaging, and increase interest. Promoted use of online version to reduce costs.Helped manage social media accounts. Monitor social media streams and make recommendations to program directors and staff for developing content and increasing engagement.Worked with committees, departments, and student organizations to plan and promote special events and programs. Collaborated with Marketing and Communications department to help the college and university achieve established goals. Represented the college at seminars, conferences and meetings.Developed policies and guidelines for website maintenance, social media account creation, and communication workflow. Helped prepare and oversee marketing and communications budget. Established and maintained relationships with vendors.

Managed marketing and communications and web projects to enhance the image of the Michigan Area Health Education Center (AHEC), a federally funded initiative spearheaded by the College of Nursing and School of Medicine aimed at increasing the number and diversity of primary care professionals in medically underserved areas. Promoted and helped coordinate pipeline, clinical training, and continuing education programs.Created corporate identity standards and style guide to ensure consistency in branding, positioning, and messaging for five regional centers across the state.Prepared presentations, talking points, and other materials for deans, program and regional center directors, and other stakeholders. Developed and distributed news releases.Conceived and provided artistic direction for brochure that won an American Graphic Design Award from Graphic Design USA magazine and serves as a model for other AHEC programs.

Teach asynchronous, graduate-level courses in the Department of Educational Technology and Foundations

Completed social media usability project evaluating social media channels — Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter — used by the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. Reviewed and analyzed key performance indicators to gauge effectiveness of social media channels and offered a comparison to those of other presidential libraries. Prepared report identifying strengths and opportunities for continued growth.

Taught online communication and writing courses, including Public Relations and Public Affairs, Organizational Communication, Small Group and Team Communication, Mass Communication, Creativity and Communication, and Introduction to College Writing. Served as subject matter expert for the design and development of new communication courses, including Intercultural Communication. Recommended course text(s) and readings, established learning goals and objectives, created assignments to assess student outcomes, and prepared course materials.

Worked with program chair and faculty to ensure the quality and relevance of the curriculum and to enhance faculty involvement. Facilitated online Content Area Meetings (CAMs) and completed summary for the online Steering Committee Meeting. Provided ongoing input to program chair and University College staff on curricular issues. Made recommendations to establish focus, secure buy-in, and increase satisfaction with content area forums and policies. Monitored faculty newsgroups and responded to faculty inquiries.

Served as principal spokesperson, writer, and communications strategist for U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick. Developed and directed initiatives to educate and engage more than 700,000 residents.Increased website traffic by improving its functionality, usability, content, and appearance. Formulated and executed plan that increased e-newsletter subscribers from 5,000 to more than 70,000 constituents.Planned and promoted more than 25 events, including online, telephone, and in-person forums and town hall meetings, to inform target audiences about federal issues and encourage participation in the political process.Managed multiple special projects, including the creation and management of Rep. Kilpatrick’s archives and selection of scholarship recipients and congressional pages. Facilitated partnership between the Congressional Black Caucus and the National Newspaper Publishers Association that allowed members to share legislative and policy initiatives, issues, and ideas through publication of monthly editorials in black newspapers across the country.Helped provide direction and leadership to 10-member team. Conducted interviews and made hiring recommendations. Recruited, trained, supervised, and evaluated communications assistant and interns. Supervised and coached district coordinators, made staff assignments for events, and managed district office operations in director’s absence.

Created public relations plans, developed and distributed press kits and releases, and monitored media for coverage for clients, including Metropolitan United Methodist Church, 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit, and eBusiness Strategies (Principal for a Day Program and "Drive the Dream" fundraiser during Super Bowl XL for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Foundation). Cultivated and maintained relationships with media representatives and opinion leaders to promote client efforts. Provided onsite media management and support for events.

Crafted clear, consistent, and customized messages that generated favorable national and local media exposure in target markets for automotive and non-profit accounts, including the Ford Motor Company Fund, DaimlerChrysler, and the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Owned and operated community and public relations firm that specialized in providing services to individuals and organizations in the sports and entertainment industry. Developed and maintained relationships with media to secure national, regional, and local exposure for clients, including Jerry Stackhouse, the Black Legends of Professional Basketball Foundation, the Midnight Golf Program, and Hope United Methodist Church. Cultivated relationships and recommended strategic alliances to complement and maximize client efforts. Handled administrative and financial aspects of partnership.

Enhanced corporate image by developing and managing strategic cause-related marketing programs, establishing community partnerships, and overseeing media relations efforts. Managed operation of The Pistons-Palace Foundation, overseeing $250,000 in grant awards. Handled requests for donations and corporate contributions. Prepared materials and articles for media guide, Pistons Insider, HOOP Magazine, and other internal and external publications. Upheld commitment to excellence by recruiting, hiring, and training quality interns and employees. Reduced costs by establishing trade relationships. Improved cooperation and commitment of staff by planning professional development and teambuilding activities, including the creation of a mission statement.

Established and maintained relationships with media, developed releases, and prepared written communications to increase visibility of the company, sponsors, and participants involved in the PARK Program, a $12 million project through which 33 Detroit parks were renovated. Secured over 100 media hits. Coordinated special events, created displays, and developed fundraising materials. Created and conducted media seminar for community groups.

Strengthened organization's position as a good corporate citizen by coordinating community programs. Built confidence and increased visibility of corporate customers by supervising over $250,000 in sponsored programs. Wrote releases, articles, public service announcements, and radio/TV spots. Elected department Employee of the Year three consecutive times.

Administered 11 education programs. Increased internal awareness of and involvement in department activities by creating the Pistons/Palace/Pine Knob Employee Program (PEP) Squad, an employee volunteer program. Developed department internship and staff orientation and training programs. Wrote staff training manual and internship booklet.

Improved efficiency and organization of the director and department by performing administrative functions and creating new project management guidelines. Promoted company and established relationships with key publics by assisting with the coordination of community programs, sponsor events, and player appearances. Increased participation in the Stay in School program and Celebration by 200%.