Curriculum Vitae

  Learn about my work experience in academia below.

EDUCATION    

2008 Master of Science: Strategic Public Relations

Virginia Commonwealth University

Concentration: Public Relations Strategy 

2004 Bachelor of Arts: Journalism/ Mass Communications

Virginia Union University

Concentration: Print Journalism and Broadcast Journalism 

CERTIFICATIONS

Accreditation in Public Relations (Public Relations Society of America)

Certified in Online Teaching (Newberry College)

RESEARCH  & PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS

Public Relations, Mass Communications, Media, Journalism, Marketing 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE 

Adjunct Professor, Department of Arts & Communications

2022 - current

Newberry College, Newberry, South Carolina 

Currently Teach: COM 214-Intro to Public Relations, COM 111-Practical Media Fundamentals

Adjunct Professor, The Robertson School of Media & Culture 

January 2021-May 2021

Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA 

Course Taught: Social Media 

Assistant Professor, Department of Mass Communications 

February 2018-November 2021

Virginia Union University, Richmond VA 

Courses Taught:  MCM 300- Research in Public Relations

MCM 206- Social Media 

MCM 302- Public Relations Writing and Production

MCM 324- Media and Crisis Communications

MCM 415- Mass Communications Internship

MCM 416- Public Relations Campaigns

MCM 328- Event Planning 

MCM 200- Foundations of Mass Communications 

MCM 307- Media Ethics
MCM 400- Senior Portfolio 

Chairperson, Department of Mass Communications 

June 2017-November 2021

Virginia Union University, Richmond VA 

· Provided leadership in all areas of the administration of the academic department

· Provided supervision and evaluation of faculty and adjunct professors, ensuring academic procedures such as course management, course preparation, grade entry, student attendance, student grade appeals, student conflict etc.  were effectively followed, documented and recorded.

· Ensured that new faculty were oriented to the mission, strategic initiatives, and goals of the University such that new faculty teaching, service, and scholarship was infused with the University's mission and the division's objectives

· Oriented part-time/adjunct faculty to assure that they complemented the role of the regular, full-time faculty

· Recommended faculty teaching and advised assignments

· Coordinated the involvement of faculty in their regular advisement responsibilities and insured an effective and ongoing student advisement program in the department

· Developed and evaluated curricular programs and plans, implemented the department's undergraduate and graduate programs

· Implemented strategies such as retention modules, collaboration to enhance recruitment and retention of students within the department

· Managed the formulation of department self-studies and coordinated program reviews and engaged in all facets of development, research and analysis of student learning and programmatic outcomes

· Formulated devising and/or revising departmental curriculum maps, annual course offerings, schedules (Fall, Spring, Summer), catalog department descriptions, and catalog course descriptions.

· Managed department's fiscal resources and developed departmental budget allocating resources

· Encouraged faculty to engage in scholarly and creative research and pursue excellence in teaching while demonstrating instructional excellence and engaging in scholarly research to advance the department, school and university strategic objectives.

Interim Chairperson, Department of Mass Communications 

November 2014-June 2017

Virginia Union University, Richmond VA 

Courses Taught: MCM 300- Research in Public Relations

MCM 206- Social Media 

MCM 302- Public Relations Writing and Production

MCM 324- Media and Crisis Communications

MCM 415- Mass Communications Internship

MCM 416- Public Relations Campaigns

MCM 328- Event Planning 

MCM 200- Foundations of Mass Communications 

Instructor 

August 2014-February 2018

Virginia Union University, Richmond VA 

Courses Taught: MCM 300- Research in Public Relations

MCM 206-Social Media 

MCM 212- Principles of Public Relations 

MCM 302- Public Relations Writing and Production

MCM 324- Media and Crisis Communications

MCM 415- Mass Communications Internship

MCM 416- Public Relations Campaigns

MCM 328- Event Planning 

Adjunct Professor  

August 2012-May 2014 

Virginia Union University, Richmond VA 

Courses Taught: MCM 245: Broadcast Newswriting 

MCM 206: Social Media 

MCM 212: Principles of Public Relations 

INVITED SCHOLARLY PRESENTATIONS

“Diversity & Inclusion in Public Relations (African Americans impact on Corporate America),” Wells Fargo Black African American Team Member Network

“Bonnie Newman Davis Summer Media Camp" 

"Practice and Pedagogy in the New Pandemic Paradigm," The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (AEJMC)—Public Relations Division

“Blogging” presented to Dr. Felecia William’s History Students-Dr. Williams was Associate Professor, Political Science and Public Administration/Department of History and Political Science-Virginia Union University 

“Dating in the Digital Age,” The Bonnie Newman Davis Institute of Media & Culture

“Negative Effects of New Media on Millennials,” Panther Pipelines Discovery Day 2016/ The Virginia Union University Center for Undergraduate Research 

“Preparing and Teaching Soft Skills to Underrepresented and First-Generation Students,” The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (AEJMC)—Public Relations Division

SCHOLARLY PUBLICATIONS

Edward Waters College’s HBCU JOURNAL ON RESEARCH INITIATIVES, Volume 1 Issue 1, “New Media Negative Effects on Millennials and Generation Z”

GRANT AWARDS

The Scripps Howard Foundation Journalism Grant--$3,000

Middle Tennessee State University First Amendment Grant--$2,000

Keep Virginia Beautiful Earth Day Grant - $750

UNIVERSITY SERVICE  (Virginia Union University)

Served on the following committees:

· Languages and Literature Chair Hiring Committee

· Fine Arts Chair Hiring Committee, Chair 

· Mass Communications Chair Hiring Committee, Chair 

· Faculty-Student Relations Committee

· Mass Communications Week Committee, Chair 

· School of Humanities and Social Sciences Cross-disciplinary Committee

· School of Humanities and Social Sciences Policy Manual Committee

· School of Humanities and Social Sciences Publication “UnionWorks”

· Faculty Senator for 2016-2017 & 2017-2018 academic years 

· University Life Committee 

· Interdisciplinary Committee

· School of Arts and Sciences Curriculum Review Committee 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020, 2020-2021 

· School of Arts and Sciences 5 Year Academic Plan Committee 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2020-2021 academic years

· Faculty Handbook Committee 2017-2018- A Faculty Senate Committee 

· Academic Standards Committee 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020, 2020-2021 

· University Planning Committee-2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2021--Presents University Planning Committee Report at University Council Meetings 

· School of Arts and Sciences Advisory Council Planning Committee

· Administrator for the University Council -2014-2021

· Faculty Senate Grievance Committee

· Faculty Evaluation Committee

· School of Arts & Sciences Grants Committee

· University Publications Editorial Board Committee

· University Marketing and Publicity Committee

· School of Arts & Sciences Study Away Committee

· School of Arts & Sciences Internship Committee 

· School of Arts & Sciences Curriculum Review Committee 

Other Activities:

· Participation in Virginia Union University Wellness Activities

· Served as Editor of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences publication titled, “UNIONWORKS”

· Served as Advisor to the Mass Communications Newsletter titled, “ON THE EDGE”

· Led a fundraising shoe-rally imitative for the Mass Communications Department raising over $5,000 as a department and bringing in $3,000.00 individually

· Planned an entire week of activities for Mass Communications students titled, “Mass Communications Week,” events planned were “Konnections Kick Off” Pizza Social, “Explore RVA” media tour, “MASSCOMM Spirit Day,” hosted chapel at Virginia Union University and “Step Into Your Future” Career Expo 

· Secured over $3,000.00 in sponsorships for the Mass Communications Week 

· Served as a judge for Virginia Commonwealth University PR students at their annual PRSSA student mixer

· Participated in a PRSA Richmond Bootcamp to prepare for Accreditation in Public Relations

· Presented a portfolio presentation for accreditation in public relations

· Awarded a $400 scholarship from PRSA Richmond to attend a Bootcamp for accreditation

· Featured as the April member spotlight for PRSA Richmond

· Wrote Title 3 grant for a new MAC computer for Mass Comm Department

· Wrote Title 3 grant to attend PRSA International conference in fall 2017

· Participated as a judge for student resume’ presentations at Virginia Commonwealth University

· Increased visibility of the Virginia Union University public relations track through partnerships with PRSA Richmond and Richmond Association of Black Journalists, current student visibility and testimonials, program rack card and social media

· Hosted and moderated a “WHERE ARE THEY NOW” Young Alumni Meet & Greet program for department during homecoming 2016 and 2017

· Hosted a Study Abroad program in partnership with VUU Center for International Studies  

· Initiated preliminary steps to become accredited by preparing documents such as department syllabi, keeping up with our graduates and preparing to do a self-assessment of our program

· Wrote prospectus for a Master of Arts in Communication Studies graduate program at Virginia Union University 

· Participated in the accreditation process for Virginia Union University, representing the mass communications department- 2016-2021

· Advised over 70 majors on the Virginia Union University mass communications curriculum 

HONORS AND AWARDS 

PR News Diversity Awards Finalist, category- “Outstanding HBCU Educator of the Year”

Accreditation in Public Relations (APR)-administered by the Universal Accreditation Board 

“Profiles in PR” feature in Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Strategies and Tactics publication-Article titled, “Heidi Wilson on Teaching the Next Generation”

Honorarium for developing public relations sequence for the Department of Mass Communications

Virginia Union University Service Award for 5 years of service 

Awarded a $400 scholarship from Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Richmond Chapter to attend a Bootcamp for accreditation

Featured as the April 2018 Member Spotlight for PRSA Richmond

Virginia Union University Faculty/Staff Member of the Year- 2018-2019