Resume
Summary of Qualifications
Master of Arts Columbia College Chicago, Public Affairs Reporting
Bachelor of Arts University of New Mexico, emphasis on language and communication
Placed 17th in the nation for editorial writing in the William Randolph Hearst Foundation competition
Larsen Fund Scholarship Award for civic-minded journalistic ambitions
Fischetti Scholarship Award for journalistic excellence
David S. Barr Award winner — 2004
Poynter Institute Fellow — 2004
Defense Information School Graduate — 2006
Excellent familiarity with both Korean and German languages and cultures
Journalism Experience
Staff reporter
The Holland Sentinel Holland, MI — 2004 - 2006
Allegan County Reporter for 7-day, 20,000 circulation daily — wrote enterprising stories and weekend package pieces.
Consistently picked up by the Associated Press, received monthly bonuses and internal awards
Freelance Journalist
Various Publications 2000 - 2004
Chicago Tribune, Illinois Issues, Streetwise, JUF News, The Saudi Gazette
National Restaurant Association and the Association of Women Journalists newsletter
Wrote feature and news articles on a variety of topics for publications in and about the Chicagoland area and Arab-American community
Instructor
Columbia College Chicago Chicago , IL — 2002 - 2004
Taught a sophomore level class: Information Search Strategies
Created lesson plans that encourages students and promoted self-confidence
Helped students use various search engines to gather information
Assisted students in the discernment of legitimate information and sources
Managing Editor
Pride Magazine Chicago , IL — 2000
Edited all freelance copy
Wrote features on everything from arts to politics
Wrote monthly editorial, real-estate articles and product reviews
Organized archives, files, selected events to list in monthly calendar
Organized magazine sponsorship of both the AIDS Walk and City of Hope Breast Cancer Walk
in an effort to make the magazine more visible in the community.
Internships
United Nations Association New York , NY — 2004
Wrote for the UNA-USA magazine, The InterDependent, and annual publication, The Global Agenda
Researched various topics regarding the U.N.'s Millennium Development Goals; gender equality, education, youth healthcare
Edited brochures, newsletter, and freelance copy
Albuquerque Tribune Albuquerque , NM — 1993
Wrote articles about New Mexico and its culture
Assigned to the city desk but worked with other desks on several stories
Education
Columbia College Chicago
Masters of Arts Public Affairs Journalism 2004
Thesis: Once A Forgotten Population
Desktop Publishing for Journalists, 2002 QuarkXpress and Photoshop
University of New Mexico
Bachelor of Arts Journalism and English 1995
German Language Minor
Defense Information School
Public Affairs Certificate 2006
Training in Public Affairs, Journalism and Visual Information for the U.S. Department of Defense at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland
Northeastern Illinois University
Islamic Studies Certificate 2002
Islamic Civilization: Government and Politics
Goethe-Institute
German Language Certificate Chicago , IL 2001
Korea National University of Education
Korean Language Certificate 1996
Other Experience
English Instructor Seoul , South Korea — 1996 - 1999