I was born and raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After graduating from Widefield High School (Widefield District 3), located in the southern part of Colorado Springs, I attended Colorado State University, Pueblo. I graduated within three and a half years, with Cum Laude Honors, and received a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and Advertising, and a minor in Marketing. During my undergraduate studies, I have gained three and a half years of experience in the communications, advertising, marketing and public relations areas.
More specifically, I have had the privilege of working as the Communication Intern with Widefield School District 3 for one academic semester, during which time I achieved hands-on experience in public relations and marketing with specific focus on professional blog writing as I actively updated the district news blog with current news and interest stories featuring school district members and students, which enhanced my strong writing and editing skills; creative photography and photo editing, which were used for both the district blog and multiple advertising pieces for the district; effective communication techniques, through drafting letters addressed to community partners as well as crafted a power point presentation for the district human resources department; and collaboratively brainstormed marketing tactics, by drafting magazine, billboard, mailings, and radio advertisements to be implemented throughout Colorado Springs during open school enrollment time.
While acquiring my Bachelors degree at Colorado State University-Pueblo, I enjoyed my part-time student employment for the Office of Student Activities in the Student Life Department. Throughout my time in this department, I acted as the Event Manager and Advertising Specialist, during which time I gained experience in event coordination and project management, by organizing and overseeing three to five on campus events per week which ranged from guest speakers, comedian shows, pep rallies, student talent competitions, and prize give-away game activities. During the events, I supervised four to six other student employees who each had individual and group tasks that needed to be completed in order to add to the successful event. In preparation for each weekly event, I also participated in the creation of all advertising tactics, which include brainstorming, design, and production of website, social media, flyers, banners, and outdoor/indoor signs that promoted each event to students and community members. My design skills include, but are not limited to, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Indesign. I also have excellent computer software experience including Microsoft word, power point, Excel, Access, Prezi, Windows Movie Maker, Apple Garage Band, and Apple iMovie, which I practiced by creating contact files and folders, event detail and budget spreadsheets, short videos for event marketing, and presentation writing and delivery. During the course of my Event Manager position, I also focused intensely on developing my leadership skills, by attending annual student leadership conferences through the university, enhanced my skillful presentation techniques and verbal communication by speaking in front of student groups ranging from less than twenty to over 700 during campus events. Finally, my already strong organizational and interpersonal communication skills helped me excel in each challenge I faced. Additionally, each new challenge prepared me to be able to make decisions that were, at times, complex, timely and critical for the success of the students in which I was supervising and working with, as well as the success of each event that was put on through the Office of Student Activities at Colorado State University-Pueblo.
During my first year at Colorado State University-Pueblo, I was selected to sit on the Special Events Committee through the Student Life Department. This committee consisted of 18 student leaders from a variety of areas throughout the university, such as student housing, athletics, student life, and student organizations. The committee was headed by the Director of Student Life and the Director of Student Activities and focused on the planning, organization, and implementation of the yearly spring concert as well as the distinguished speakers series. I served as a member of the committee for one year, in which time I volunteered my time to collaborate on promotional tactics for the spring concert event; actively participated in weekly meetings; developed creative advertising strategies for the event; contacted internal and external marketing vendors to develop advertisements for event through multiple advertising methods, such as flyers, radio advertisements, and outdoor billboard advertisements; assisting in coordinating the details of the spring concert, including the entertainment contract, technical equipment, organizing volunteer positions for students during the concerts, organizing security enforcement, ticket sales and processing, and set up and take down of the concert event. Most importantly, volunteering for the special events committee allowed me to gain valuable experience in event coordination and marketing areas, as well as contribute to my ability to be able to think strategically and navigate complex situations, which are common circumstances during a major production or event.
Through all of my field-related work, I have enhanced my leadership and management skills. These experiences have also allowed me to become very open to constructive criticism and accept direction. I have also gained and strengthened my ability to excel in a fast-paced working environment, where I have become open to change and working with dynamic personalities. Feedback from others in my areas of strength and weakness have strengthened my existing skills as well as helped to set the foundation for improving my personal growth and expanding my career goals, which are to work in the area of marketing and communications. In addition to my significant experience in the areas of communication, marketing, advertising, and public relations through my undergraduate studies and previous work history, I also offer a vast history and familiarity with working in higher education, specifically at Pikes Peak Community College. Beginning in the summer of 2008, just after graduating from Widefield High School, I began working as a temporary administrative assistant in the Enrollment Services Office. My assignment as an administrative assistant was during the high enrollment periods during the academic years from May 2008 until March 2012. During the time that I worked in Enrollment Services, I spent time serving students through the call center as well as in person. I effectively assisted students in completing their enrollment and registration paperwork and explained the enrollment process which consists of eight steps; I explained additional information about all student support services available at Pikes Peak Community College; I provided exceptional customer service and student support; I skillfully performed various office tasks (filing, multi-line telephone, operating college information system: BANNER and data entry); and I energetically answered calls through the call center on multi-line telephones. In June 2010 through August 2010, I was recruited to temporarily fill in a vacancy of an administrative assistant in the High School Programs and Concurrent Enrollment office. My day to day tasks as an administrative assistant in this office were to professionally answer a multi-line telephone; direct phone calls and assist students; I energetically assisted students with financial aid, the enrollment process, and concurrent enrollment program; and efficiently completed miscellaneous office tasks such as filing, typing, organizing, creating spreadsheets, and entering data. During my time in Enrollment Services and the High School Programs office, I enjoyed working one-on-one with students and staff in the effort to assist students in enrolling at the college in order to reach their overall educational goals. I also became very familiar with the diverse environment and exciting atmosphere of the college, which I believe is a great aid in the success of the students, staff, and faculty of Pikes Peak Community College.
My qualifications include the full range of event coordinating, interpersonal and communication skills, leadership, team player, event management, advertising and promotional strategies, strong organization, flexibility, high attention to detail and computer literacy, all of which are clearly highlighted on the enclosed resume. Most significant has been my ability to apply the skills and fundamentals of public relations, advertising, business management, marketing, mass communications and other course work to hands-on and practical experiences.