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Melissa A. Garrett

garrettmelissa2010@gmail.com | https://melissaagarrett.com/ | 712-899-4750

EDUCATION

Master of Science (2017)

M.S. in Journalism & Mass Communication | English minor | Cum Laude Honors

*Teaching Excellence Award recipient

ISU Greenlee School of Journalism & Communication program

Bachelor of Arts (2015)

B.A. in English and Journalism & Mass Communications | Cum Laude Honors

Iowa State University of Science and Technology

Iowa State University Student Exchange Program (Study Abroad) from January 12-June 20, 2013

University of Exeter, Devon, England

Studies in Shakespeare | Modernism & Modernity 1900-1960

MEDIA-RELATED SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

*Experience teaching at the university and community college level

*Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint & Excel

*Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn

*Adobe Creative: Photoshop, InDesign & Illustrator skills

*Experience with supervising, mentoring and teaching U.S. and international students

*International travel and networking experience

*Knowledge of Google applications (Gmail, Sheets, Docs, Slides, etc.)

TEACHING, MENTORING AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Adjunct Journalism and Digital Mass Communications Professor (Jan. 2018-present)

Iowa Central Community College | Fort Dodge, IA (Main Campus)

*Courses taught: 

COM-148: Diversity in the Media (issues of race/ethnicity, gender, sexuality, etc.)

JOU-210: Media Law and Ethics

COM-150: Mass Communication & Society

ENG-101: Elements of Writing (worked with developmental learners and writers)

Part-Time Academic Assistant for the Reading and Writing Center (Academic Resource Center) (Aug. 2018-present)

Iowa Central Community College | Fort Dodge, IA (Main Campus)

*assisted students with various types of academic papers and career-related documents

Graduate Teaching Assistant for JLMC 462 Media Ethics, Freedom & Responsibility (Aug. 2015-May 2017)  

Dr. Michael Bugeja | Iowa State University

 *held office hours and portfolio workshops to aid students in completing online professional portfolios; graded all materials

Graduate Research Assistant (Aug. 2016-May 2017)

Dr. Michael Dahlstrom | Women, Food & Agriculture (WFAN) Grant | Iowa State University

*conducted research on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP); interviewed women landowners, produced photography and wrote text for a 20-page CRP communication booklet targeting women landowners across the United States; gave input on overall booklet design and content

Link: http://www.wfan.org/choosing-your-crp-journey-helps-women-landowners-navigate-programs/

Graduate Research Assistant (Aug. 2015-May 2017 )

Dr. Michael Bugeja | Iowa State University

*conducted research about technology and its effect on people’s personal and professional lives; professional student internship accreditation

*acknowledged in the second edition of Dr. Bugeja’s book, Interpersonal Divide in the Age of the Machine, published by the Oxford University Press in July 2017

*contributed research for Dr. Bugeja’s book, Living Media Ethics: Across Platforms, published by Routledge in October 2018

Graduate Peer Mentor (Aug. 2016-May 2017)

ISU Graduate College Mentoring Program for First Year Students of Color

President of the Graduate Student Association (Aug. 2016-May 2017)

ISU Greenlee School of Journalism & Communication

Iowa State International Student Orientation Leader (July-Dec. 2013)

*served as mentor to international and exchange students at Iowa State University

 JOURNALISM/MEDIA EXPERIENCES AND INTERNSHIPS

Iowa State Daily (2012, 2015-16)

Editor of Ames 24/7 (Arts & Entertainment) section (Aug. 2015-May 2016)

Reporter, Writer and Reviewer for Ames 24/7 Theater beat (Aug. 2014-May 2015)

Copy Editor for Sports Column (Sept.-Dec. 2012)

Summer Media Internship with Maximum Ames (*see more on my Internship tab) (May-July 2015)

Iowa Music Store | Ames, IA

*public relations; social media management of nine accounts (including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the Iowa Music Store, Maximum Ames and the Maximum Ames Music Festival); store management; photography; online journalism; blog writing; assistance with advertising and distributing materials for the Maximum Ames Music Festival

Member of the ISU Advertising Club | Iowa State University (Jan.-May 2014)

*networked with advertising and other media professionals in the Midwest region

Intern for Festival Internacional del Cine en Morelia (May 2013)

Festival de Cannes| Cannes, France

*Attended screenings and awards ceremonies; select photography for the Cannes Film Festival

LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES AND AWARDS

Teaching Excellence Award (April 2017)

Iowa State University of Science and Technology

*Award honoring the top 10% of graduate students at ISU for outstanding teaching accomplishments in the graduate program, as evaluated by their academic departments

American Advertising Award-Des Moines Chapter Gold prize (Feb. 2016)

*prize for “Near Field Communication” (NFC Technology) interactive “Choose Your Adventure” poster designed for Iowa State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences designed to help with recruitment of new LAS majors at Iowa State

(Click on the image below to see the video from my group’s project.)

Inducted member of the National Society of Leadership and Success for the Iowa State University Chapter (Nov. 2012-May 2017)      

Iowa State University Dean’s List Award Recipient (Aug. 2012-May 2016)

*Awarded in Fall ’12, Spring ’12, Fall ’13, Spring ’14, Fall ’15, Spring ’15, Fall ’16, Spring ‘16

ISU Academic Recognition Award recipient (Aug 2010-May 2017)        

ADDITIONAL JOB AND LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Server | Red Lobster | Ames, IA (Nov. 2017-present)

ISU Dining Student Supervisor (Jan. 2014-May 2017)

Hawthorn Cafe| Union Drive, Seasons, Conversations Dining

Knoll Catering for ISU President Steven Leath

Lead Worker | Hawthorn Café | ISU Dining (Sept. 2012-Dec. 2013)

Assistant Manager (May-Aug 2012)      

Akron Swimming Pool | Akron, IA

*assisted with teaching swimming lessons, delegated tasks to employees, assisted with lifeguard training and water safety instruction, opened and closed the facility, answered patron questions

Club Treasurer (Aug. 2011-May 2014)  

ISU Lyrica Women’s Choir | Iowa State University

Residence Hall Treasurer (Aug. 2010-May 2011)              

Willow Platt Hall | Iowa State University

Lifeguard (Summer 2008-2011)                

Akron Swimming Pool | Akron, IA

FURTHER INVOLVEMENTS

Member of the ISU Alumni Association (May 2017-present)

Iowa State University VEISHEA Corps volunteer (April 2014/2011)    

*volunteered at VEISHEA program events during VEISHEA week

Member of the Erasmus Society for International Students (Jan.-June 2013)

University of Exeter | Exeter, England

Member of the Exeter University Soul Choir (Jan.-June 2013)

University of Exeter | Exeter, England

Member of Cantamus Women’s Choir (Aug.-May 2012)

Iowa State University

Member of Lyrica Women’s ChoirAug. (2010-May 2015)

Iowa State University

PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES

Dr. Michael Bugeja | Former Director; Professor | ISU Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication

Email: bugeja@iastate.edu | Phone: 515-233-5166

Dr. Daniela Dimitrova | Professor and Director of Graduate Education | ISU Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication

Email: danielad@iastate.edu | Phone: 515-294-4010

Dr. Tracy Lucht | Assistant Professor | ISU Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication

Email: tlucht@iastate.edu | Phone: 515-294-5235

Mark Witherspoon | Editorial Adviser of the Iowa State Daily 

Email: mark.witherspoon@iowastatedaily.com | Phone: 515-231-8150