West Virginia University

  • Work study placed me with the Technology Coordinator, so I became fluent in Mac and Windows. I was also a TA for our capstone course, helping teach NLE and VOSOTs to aspiring reporters.

  • Between my Bachelor's and Master's I supported initiatives and individuals across the university system.

  • Coming back for graduate school gave me the opportunity to expand my breadth of knowledge while building and leading a team of content creators.

It all started when…

I was accepted to West Virginia University in Fall 2009, my senior year of high school. I knew college was where I was going to start forging my career. With the support of professors and mentors*, I truly did.

*shout out to the Corio’s, Greg and Emily, and my dear friend Matt Shallows

During my time here, I studied broadcast journalism for television and radio, served on the board of multiple student organizations, and earned money through federal work-study, part-time retail, and whatever kind of video work I could scrounge up on the side.

As a work-study employee, I learned from the technology coordinator the ins and outs of software like MacOS, Microsoft Office, and the G-Suite, managing technology resources at an enterprise scale, and, most importantly, how to unjam a printer for frantic students.

I also worked closely with Adventure WV, an outdoor orientation program primarily aimed at incoming students. Throughout my career there, I went from undergraduate student worker to temp, to part-time, to graduate assistant, constantly learning more about and adding to the tools in my belt.

Overall, I worked with Adventure WV, or other WVU initiatives, for the better part of 7 years. I supported initiatives and organizations including

  • the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences

  • Science Adventure School

  • WVU Athletics

  • WWVU-FM

  • the Office of Campus Recreation

  • WellWVU

  • Reed College of Journalism

  • the Department of Forensics and Investigative Sciences

WVU was where I learned to say yes to opportunity, and where I made some of the most important connections I think I’ll make. I think at it’s best, that’s what Higher Ed should do.

Extra Credit

Take a look through some of the pieces I was in charge of.