EDUCATION

University of Nebraska at Omaha (@unomaha)
Bachelor of Science: Journalism (2002)
• Received the Rising Star Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Nebraska at Omaha School of Communication (2006)

University of Nebraska at Omaha
Master of Arts: Communication (2011)
Thesis: “Stories, Stresses, and Strains: What Working Local Media Experience When Covering Human Tragedy”

EMPLOYMENT

University of Nebraska at Omaha [Omaha, Neb.]
Assistant Director, Media Relations (2007 – Present)
Manages media relations for the University of Nebraska at Omaha, including pitching story ideas and assisting local, regional and national reporters with requests. Updates a portion of the university’s Web site on a daily basis that features local, regional and national higher education news. Manages the university’s Facebook and Twitter pages that are accessed by students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community. (www.unomaha.edu)

Part-Time Faculty Member, School of Communication (2008 – Present)
Teaches Media Writing Laboratory to University of Nebraska at Omaha undergraduates. The course teaches students the core elements of writing for newspaper, magazine, broadcast, public relations and the Web. All School of Communication undergraduate students are required to take Media Writing Laboratory.

Teaches Online Media to undergraduates, focusing on journalism, media and mass communication in the online environment, including discussions on photography and videography. This is an elective offered by the School of Communication. (http://communication.unomaha.edu)

NRG Media [Omaha, Neb.]
Bi-weekly on-air personality (2010 – Present)
Appears every other Friday on “The Pat and JT Morning Show” on Q98-Five (98.5 FM) for the “All Around Townley” segment, discussing local events and Hollywood headlines. Also blogs weekly for the Q98-Five website.

Co-host, “The Weekly Grind” (2010 – Present)
Serves as a co-host on “The Weekly Grind” (1180 AM) every Saturday morning. “The Weekly Grind” is Omaha’s only radio show for young professionals, featuring guest interviews and current news topics.

Cox Communications, Inc. [Omaha, Neb.]
Public Affairs Specialist (2006 – 2007)
Managed local media relations for Cox Communications, Inc. Managed and executed company sponsorships in the community. Managed the Cox Connects Kids program, which donates free computers to needy families in the Omaha area. Voiced TV spots produced by Cox Communications: Holiday Market and Holiday Lights Festival. (www.cox.com)

Leslie Kline Lukas & Associates [Omaha, Neb.]
Account Executive (2005 – 2006)
Managed local, regional and national public relations for clients (U.S. Cellular, Scooter’s Coffeehouse), including drafting of press releases, story coordination among media outlets, relationship building with reporters/editors, as well as event planning for clients. (www.leslieklinelukas.com)

Bellevue Leader [Bellevue, Neb.]
Staff Writer (2002 – 2005)
Wrote feature articles for the Bellevue Leader, including an award-winning series on a Bellevue family who adopted twin girls. Also covered Bellevue Public Schools board meetings and assisted with graphic design and layout of the newspaper. (www.bellevueleader.com)

Received the following three awards from the Nebraska Press Association:

• First Place, Best Youth in Community Coverage (2004)
• First Place, Best Feature Series (2003)
• First Place, Best Feature Story (2002)

Papillion Times [Papillion, Neb.]
Staff Writer (2001 – 2002)
Wrote feature articles for the Papillion Times and its sister publications. Also covered the La Vista City Council. (www.papilliontimes.com)

Cox Interactive Media [Omaha, Neb.]
News Producer (1999 – 2000)
Wrote, edited and managed news content for the DiscoverOmaha.com Web site. Worked with the news department at WOWT (NBC 6) to ensure news content was accurate and up-to-date.

KMTV (CBS 3) [Omaha, Neb.]
Newsroom Intern (1998 – 1999)
Served as evening and weekend assignment editor, joined reporters and photographers covering stories in the field, wrote copy for weekend newscasts, called local hospitals and police departments for updates on victims. (www.action3news.com)

The Gateway [University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, Neb.]
Joined as a Staff Writer (1997) and was promoted to News Editor (1998). Was named youngest-ever Editor in Chief (1998) and managed a staff of section editors, writers and photographers. (www.unogateway.com)