Kent State University

Master of Arts (M.A.), Journalism and Mass Communication
May 2019 – May 2022
Program focused on reporting, editing and scholastic journalism education.

Sam Houston State University
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Mass Communication – Multiplatform Journalism
2010 – 2014 • Magna Cum Laude
Activities: The Houstonian student newspaper, KSHU Channel 7 News, KSHU 90.5 The Kat, Texas Intercollegiate Press Association

Sam Houston State University
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Political Science
2010 – 2014 • Magna Cum Laude
Activities: Pi Sigma Alpha, International Public Debate Association team

Sam Houston State University
Lecturer of Mass Communication
August 2024 – Present

Courses Taught

• Writing for Mass Media
• Media Culture & Society
• Leadership in the Scholastic Newsroom
• Specialized Writing for Scholastic Media

Conroe ISD — Caney Creek High School

• Journalism Adviser — July 2017 – Present
  Oversee the production of Caney Creek Student Media's student-led lab that produces The Creek yearbook, Creek Compass print newspaper, CCHSCompass.com online newspaper, the commercial photography program, and, soon, a literary magazine.
• Speech & Debate Assistant Coach — July 2016 – Present
  Coach students in debate, extemp, and interpretation events with state and national achievements.
• UIL Academic Coordinator — July 2017 – Present
  Coordinate UIL Academic programs, budget, and tournaments.
• World Geography & Communication Applications Teacher — July 2016 – July 2017

The Courier of Montgomery County
City Editor / Education Reporter
January 2015 – July 2016

Covered Conroe ISD, Willis ISD, Lone Star College, and education statewide. Managed reporters and oversaw website content.

The Huntsville Item

• Education & City Reporter — May 2013 – January 2015
• Part-Time Staff Reporter — January 2013 – May 2013

Reported on education and local government, wrote weekly “DigiTalk” column on technology trends, and led newsroom CMS transition and training.

The Houstonian (Sam Houston State University)

• Editor-in-Chief — Dec 2011 – Jan 2014
• Web Editor — Jan 2014 – May 2014
• Associate News Editor — Aug 2011 – Dec 2011
• Viewpoints Editor — Dec 2010 – Aug 2011
• Senior Reporter — Aug 2010 – Dec 2010

Led the student newspaper, managed staff, produced multimedia content, and wrote editorials and investigative stories.

Other Early Media Roles

• City Production Assistant, SHSU Mass Communication Dept. (2011–2013)

• Show Co-Host & Weatherman, KSHU Radio/TV (2011–2012)

• Reporter/Anchor, KSHU Channel 7 News (2012–2013)

• Editorial Intern, KFDM News (2011)

2024 Teacher of the Year

• ESC Region 6, Conroe ISD & Caney Creek High School

UIL Interscholastic League Press Conference (ILPC) Adviser's Challenge

• Objective Writing: 2nd Place (2025), 1st Place (2024, 2023), 3rd Place (2020)

• Subjective Writing: 2nd Place (2024, 2023), 1st Place (2021, 2020, 2019)
• Feature Photography: 2nd Place (2024)

Association of Texas Photography Instructors (ATPI)

• Faculty Photo Story Contest: 2nd Place (2024), Faculty Best of Show, 1st Place (2023), 2nd Place & Honorable Mention (2021), 3rd Place (2018)

Journalism Education Association (JEA)

• Rising Star Award (Aug 2022)

Texas Association of Journalism Educators (TAJE)

• Pathfinder Award (Aug 2021)

Texas Press Association (TPA)

• Feature Writing, 3rd Place (HISD integration); Headline Writing, 4th Place (Staff); Page Design, 3rd Place (Staff); Column Writing, 3rd Place (Porfolio)

Texas Associated Press Managing Editors (TAPME)

• 2015: Team Effort, 1st Place (Carrasco Siege Anniversary); Online Newspaper of the Year, 1st Place; Feature Story, 1st Place (HISD Integration 50th Anniversary); Feature Series, 3rd Place (Carrasco Siege, staff); Editorials, Honorable Mention; Newspaper of the Year, 3rd Place

• 2013: Best Video Under 2 Minutes, 1st Place (Draft Horses); Editorials, 1st Place

Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA)

• 2014: 3rd Place Onsite Newspaper Design; Director’s Trophy (team)

• 2013: Honorable Mention On-site Television Announcing; Sweepstakes Award (team)

• 2012: 2nd Place Headline Writing (#OBLiterated, Bin Laden); 3rd Place Editorials

• 2011: 3rd Place Special Edition (Harry Potter Issue)

Texas Classroom Teachers Association

• Silver Apple Media Award (Mar 2015) — Excellence in Public Education Reporting

KFDM TV

• High School Journalist of the Year (2009, 2010)

Presentations & Workshops

• Letting Your Voice Be Heard. Opinion Writing that Matters: ILPC Spring Convention, TAJE Fall Fiesta, TAJE Region 9 Workshop
• Caption Writing: ATPI Winter Conference (2020)
• Why Can’t I Keep Them All? Photography Workflow Solutions: ATPI Winter Conference (2020), TAJE Region 9 Workshop (2025, 2024)
• Act Like a 4-Year-Old: Ask Why? (Interviewing Techniques): ILPC Spring Convention (2025), TAJE Region 9 Workshop (2024), TAJE Fall Fiesta (2025)
• Generative AI & Journalism for Beginners: TAJE Region 9 Workshop (2024, 2025); ILPC Spring Convention; TAJE Fall Fiesta
• Advanced Generative AI & Journalism: TAJE Region 9 Workshop (2024, 2025); ILPC Spring Convention; TAJE Fall Fiesta
• Generative AI & Journalism Workshop: Gloria Shields National Journalism Workshop (2025)
• Generative AI in the Classroom: Caney Creek High School (2023, 2024)
• Generative AI for Journalism Advisers: Gloria Shields National Journalism Workshop (2024, 2025)
• Beginning Yearbook Bootcamp: Gloria Shields National Journalism Workshop (assistant, 2025)
• Big Lede Energy (Lede Writing): UIL Capital Conference (2025)
• Comma Get It (Copy Editing): UIL Capital Conference (2025)
• Leaguetown Town Hall (Roundtable Panel): UIL Capital Conference (2025)
• All in Your Head (Headline Writing): UIL Superconference (2024)
• LD Debate Framework & Contentions: UIL Superconference (2024)
• LD Debate Advanced Concepts & Strategies: UIL Superconference (2024)
• Canvas Best Practices: Caney Creek High School (2022)
• Journalism Districtwide Presenter: Conroe ISD (2023, 2024, 2025)
• Incorporating Current Events into the Social Studies Classroom: Conroe ISD Districtwide (2018)
• Rockin’ Robins: Do Congresswomen Rule the Roost in the Twittersphere? SHSU Conference (2013)

Publications

• Script Happens. Automating the Stuff You Hate in Photoshop Using AI: ATPI Imagemaker (May 2025)
• Artificial Intelligence & Scholastic Journalism: Communication: Journalism Education Today Magazine (Apr 2024)
• What happens Next? Panelist on a podcast about Covid-19 & journalism: Yearbook Whys Podcast (2020)
• How Do I Take My Photographer from Just OK to Amazing? ATPI Imagemaker (2019)
• Rockin’ Robins: Do Congresswomen Rule the Roost in the Twittersphere? Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology (2015)