SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT

Professional summary

I am an experienced Subject Matter Expert and faculty developer.  Not only do I have an academic foundation, but I have worked in areas of creative writing and corporate communications.  My work is based on more than 20 years of experience as a communicator and formal education/research.

Education
Ph.D.—English (emphasis on rhetoric and technology), Michigan State University, 2004
M.A.—English (emphasis on pedagogy), Eastern Michigan University, 1996
B.A.—English (emphasis on journalism), Calvin College, 1989
Skills

Teaching
  • Close to 20 years of teaching in various capacities
  • Solution oriented providing all programs with my training and expertise
  • Higher than average retention rates for online classes
  • Higher than average student satisfaction
Curriculum Development
  • Created innovative solutions based on research and experience to reach students of all levels
  • Applied Kolb’s Model and other vital strategies successfully for non-traditional students
  • Timely, professional work that meets objectives and always gets approval from accrediting bodies
Managerial
  • Managed department of more than 20 faculty as interim department chair
  • Operated my own company which involved working with vendors and freelance consultants
  • Supervised Professional Writing Institute at Michigan State University
  • Served as interim Director of Public Relations for the second largest healthcare system in Michigan
  • During my time in management position, I have developed superior organization, effective decision-making, professional demeanor, and excellent relationship building abilities.
 
 
Professional Experience

 
Freelance Educational Curriculum Development: Aug. 2001—Present
  • In this capacity I have researched effective communication strategies and created effective learning modules for clients using both online and off-line mediums.
  • My clients have included Michigan State University, Houghton-Mifflin/Cengage Learning, VITAL (Virtual Interactive Training & Learning), Oakwood Healthcare System, and Chrysler Corporation.  My essays have been published in national venues such as Newsweek Magazine,  Education Digest, and The Journal of Literacy and Technology.  (In addition, I have serviced many individuals with private projects.)
  • Major projects have included creating online website content; developing online learning channels; writing academic articles and textbook content; editing manuscripts; editing textbooks; ghostwriting how-to books; and blogging.
 
Subject Matter Expert: Aug. 2007—Present
  • Spring Arbor University: I have served as subject matter expert in the development of more than 25 courses over the past ten years.  They have included creative writing, composition, writing for children and teens, and feature writing.
  • Kaplan University: I served as subject matter expert on business writing courses.
  • Baker College: During the past 10 years I have served as SME on more than 25 course ranging from composition to business writing.
 
Professor: 1996-2010
  • In this capacity I taught and developed corporate communications courses both online and off for Baker College.
  • Created the Professional Writing Institute for Michigan State University that serviced business owners and employees wishing to refresh communication skills, but not interested in a degree.
  • For Baker College I created a course in basic workplace communications and advanced report writing that addresses the needs of corporate America. 
  • For Spring Arbor University I served as program lead for online learning, which meant troubleshooting, developing, and expanding courses.  This required me to work in a team and to direct others.
  • At Tyndale College I served as Interim Department Chair and supervised faculty and staff.

Publications

My work has been published in a variety of journals and magazines including Newsweek Magazine, the Journal of Literacy and Technology, Education Digest, Home & School, the New Mexico Journal of Literacy, and the Missouri Review.

Awards

I was honored by Kaplan University, Baker College, and Spring Arbor University for my contributions to their online writing programs.  I have placed in the top 4 (out of more than 800) in a recent script writing competition and received recognition for both my dissertation (which focused on theories of presence in online environments) and my master’s thesis (which focused on audience awareness in professional writing).
Member
  • I was voted to the national board of directors for the Association of Women in Communications, Inc. March 2015
  • Women In Communications, Inc.
  • CCC
  • NCTE
  • SCBWI
  • Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce