Community Engagement

Invited Presentations

On Writing and Publishing

“Editing on the Record: Making Editing and Publishing Visible.” Kairos Place. Eastern Mennonite University. Harrisonburg, VA; May 2024.

“Teaching College Writing Like a Book Editor.” Presentation through the Center for Teaching Excellence, University of Virginia. Charlottesville, VA; Nov.. 2021.

“Who’s Authoring Your Text? Considering Editorial Collaboration.” Kairos Place. Eastern Mennonite University. Harrisonburg, VA; May 2021.

“Commercial and Professional Writing: Navigating a Nontraditional, Always-Interesting Career Track.” Careers in Writing event. Campus presentation sponsored by the Virginia Tech English Department. Blacksburg, VA; September 2013.

“Telling the Truth, with Style: Crash Course in Creative Nonfiction.” Campus presentation sponsored by the ACU Shinnery Review. Abilene, TX; October 2011.

“Writing Fiction: Getting Started.” Campus presentation sponsored by the ACU Shinnery Review. Abilene, TX; October 2010.

“Introduction to Book Publishing.” Campus presentation sponsored by the ACU Career Center. Abilene, TX; September 2010.

“Getting Your Book Proposal in Order.” Faculty presentation as part of an Academic Publication Workshop, sponsored by the Adams Center, Abilene Christian University. Abilene, TX; June 2010.

“Careers in Book Publishing.” Guest presentation to professional writing class at the University of South Carolina. Columbia, SC; April 2008.

“Watching Songs.” Reading at Prosetry, sponsored by the Department of English. University of South Carolina; Columbia, SC; October 2007.

“The Pros and Cons of Mixing Religion and Art.” Presentation to and discussion with Writing and Spirituality students. Belmont University; Nashville, TN; September 2006.

 

Other

“On the Relationships between Language and Thought.” Guest lecture for CS 4611: Programming Languages course, Department of Computer Science, University of Virginia. Charlottesville, VA; Sep. 2020.

“Editorial Models —> Teaching Composition.” Pedagogy Panel: Editing/Revision Strategies in the ENWR Classroom (and beyond). Writing and Rhetoric Program, University of Virginia. Charlottesville, VA; Dec. 2019.

“Manuscripts That Move: Critical and Genetic Editing through Digital Markup.” Presentation to Center for Digital Expression. Texas Christian University. Fort Worth, TX; February 2018.

“Planning Unpredictable Careers: English Graduate Student Strategies for Approaching Alt Ac Options in Uncertain Times.” Joint presentation with Terrence Hood, TCU career consultant. Texas Christian University. Fort Worth, TX; April 2017.

 “Military Children as Political Actors and Artifacts.” Guest presentation to course in U.S. Veterans’ Reintegration and Resilience (Eric Hodges, professor), University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee. Sarasota, FL; October 2014.

“Classroom Strategies for Talking about Tough Issues.” Presentation on working with LGBTQ students, part of a 5-week training session I organized and co-led for university faculty through the Adams Center for Teaching and Learning. Abilene, TX; November 2012.

“Joining Up: How Writing Rewrote My Life.” English department presentation sponsored by Abilene Christian University. Abilene, TX; September 2012.

“Identifying and Coping with PTSD in Refugees: A Volunteer’s Perspective.” Presentation to the International Rescue Committee. Abilene, TX; April 2011.  

Community Education

  • Appraiser for Destination Imagination, a contest-based problem-solving organization for K-12 students.  Abilene, TX. February 2018.

  • Judge for Partners in Purple, a TED-talk-style speech competition for students at Paschal High School in Fort Worth, TX. April 2016.

  • Instructor for Duke University's TIP (Talent Identification Program), a middle school education program. Taught at 2 sections of "That's Debatable!" a highly interactive introduction to debate. Davidson College campus in Davidson, NC. Summer 2015.

  • Guest speaker for The Point Academy in High Point, NC. Talked to elementary school students about working as a book editor and college teacher as part of a day-long event encouraging kids to think about college. October 2013. 

Volunteer Work

Librarian, Cville Tool Library, Charlottesville, VA. Aug. 2023-Present.

  • Community nonprofit committed to sharing physical tools and educating neighbors on skills for making and sustaining the built environment.

Vice President, Lake Reynovia Homeowners Association, Charlottesville, VA. Jan. 2024-Present.
Secretary, Lake Reynovia Homeowners Association, Charlottesville, VA. Mar. 2023-Dec. 2023.

  • Lively family neighborhood of nearly 200 homes. Serve on the HOA board with a focus on improving communication throughout the neighborhood regarding both financial/legal and community concerns.

Dialogue leader, Park Street Christian Church, Charlottesville, VA. Apr. 2020-Dec. 2020.

  • Race and social healing discussion group. Co-facilitated weekly online discussion group, beginning as a way to retain social connections during the 2020 Covid shut-down and moving into a focus on racial awareness and justice issues as those came to the forefront of public concern.

Faculty Sponsor/Community Advisor, Voice, Abilene, TX. Sep. 2011–Dec. 2012, Sep. 2014–May 2018. 

  • LGBT dialogue/hospitality group. As faculty sponsor, sat on leadership team; advised student leaders on management and direction strategies; served as liaison to faculty and administration; attended weekly meetings; gave monthly presentations on relevant educational topics; hosted monthly dinners; met regularly with student members. As community advisor, provide input as requested by current leadership team members, host student events at home, and attend key community events.

Writer/Editor, National Military Family Association, Arlington, VA. Aug. 2011–Dec. 2011.

  • Military family support organization. Contributed written material to newsletters and organizational records on issues related to military families; provided editorial and personal feedback to advance materials in public awareness campaigns; applied CMS and House style guidelines in writing and editing.

Faculty Sponsor/Refugee Mentor, International Rescue Committee, Abilene, TX. Aug. 2010­–Dec. 2012.

  • Refugee resettlement organization and university liaison group. Mentored refugees through acculturation, professional, and medical needs; sponsored local university group in their volunteer work.