Vitae

EDUCATION

Graduate
University of Massachusetts—Amherst
M.A. – Awarded Summer 2013
Translation Studies, Department of Comparative Literature
GPA: 3.95
Thesis: “Rethinking Intersemiotic Translation through Cross-Media Adaptation in the works of Joss Whedon”

Undergraduate
University of Michigan—Ann Arbor
B.A. – Awarded Spring 2011
French Language & Literature, Department of Romance Languages and Literatures
Highest Distinction for 4.0 GPA, High Honors in Arts & Ideas in the Humanities
Thesis: “Adventurous Tales: Stories of the Sea and the City, Selections translated with introduction.”
Specializations in Translation & Photography
Academic Minor: International Studies

WORK HISTORY

English Instructor
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Fall 2014-present
Teach First-Year Rhetoric and Writing Program courses, particularly Rhetoric and Writing II, focused on the analysis and generation of written texts, informed by rhetorical theory. Attend required professional development workshops throughout the year as well as participate in program governance. Perform duties expected of full-time faculty (including maintaining office hours, holding conferences with students, providing students with timely feedback, remaining current in discipline, and creating a learning environment that fosters student success). Contribute to a collegial and collaborative work environment.

Adjunct English Instructor
Colorado Community College System, Fall 2013-present
Teach English courses, with an emphasis on composition and rhetoric, at Pikes Peak Community College, Arapahoe Community College, Community College of Aurora, and Colorado Springs Early Colleges both on-site and online using methods and technology designed to reach students of varying educational and experiential backgrounds.

Staff Writer
PopMatters.com, November 2012-present
Write academically-informed and engaging articles for the DVDs column and the “Channel Surfing” blog reviewing DVD releases and current television shows, as well as periodic feature articles.

Administrative Assistant
ScreenwritingMasterClass.com, October 2012-present
Intern for screenwriter and instructor Tom Benedek (Cocoon, 1985), assisting in the development of curriculum for online screenwriting courses.

Teaching Assistant
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Comparative Literature, January 2012-January 2013
CompLit 391: International History of Animation
Prepare and effectively administer lessons; teach basic and upper-level composition principles; encourage classroom discussion; prepare and grade class assignments, compositions and examinations; evaluate student progress and maintain student records; maintain office hours and advise students; hold material review sessions

GRE Instructor/ Tutor
Kaplan Test Prep, November 2011-present
GRE Instruction
Provide instruction in accordance with established course outlines and guidelines; teach math concepts, vocabulary, test-taking techniques, reading comprehension, and analytical writing; give personal attention to students and their particular strengths and weaknesses; proctor tests

Project Assistant
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Office of Information Technologies, Fall 2011-present
Design and schedule social media communications; analyze and participate in the Team-Based Learning hybrid digital classroom initiative; produce an artistic historical display commemorating the 50th anniversary of the department; prepare department reports; analyze data; produce campus-wide surveys and analyze results; produce website for art show

Freelance Translator
Liz Medendorp Translations, April 2011-present
Freelance translation work for several translation firms; complete high-quality legal, business, marketing, journalistic, and medical translations in a timely fashion; maintain good relations with clients; manage financial records

French Tutor
University of Michigan, Comprehensive Studies Program, October 2009-May 2011
Provide tutoring and support for students struggling with coursework; cultivate relationships with students to encourage confidence; advise students on future coursework

LANGUAGES

  • English (native)
  • French (speak, read, and write with a high level of proficiency)

MEMBERSHIPS

  • American Translators Association (ATA)
  • American Comparative Literature Association (ACLA)
  • Northeast Modern Language Association (NeMLA)
  • Popular Culture Association / American Culture Association (PCA/ACA)

PUBLICATIONS

CONFERENCES

Presentations

  • “Pop Will Eat Itself: Creative Appropriation, Cannibalism, and the Musical Mash-up.” 43rd Convention of the Northeast Modern Language Association, 2012, Rochester, NY.
  • “Feed the Animals: The Cannibalism of Transformative Work.” American Comparative Literature Association Annual Meeting, 2012, Providence, RI.
  • “Doppelgängland and the Buffyverse: Embracing the Demon Within.” Popular Culture Association / American Culture Association Conference, 2012, Boston, MA. (Panel Chair)
  • “Community Reinforcement Through Communication Breakdown.” University of Massachusetts, Amherst Crossroads III Conference, 2012, Amherst, MA.
  • “Formal Concerns in Cross-Media Adaptation: The Case of the Firefly Franchise.” 2012 Flow Conference, University of Texas at Austin. (Invited but unable to attend due to Hurricane Sandy)
  • “Evolving into Cheaters: The Ethics of Video Games.” 44th Convention of the Northeast Modern Language Association, 2013, Boston, MA. (Panel Organizer and Chair)
  • “How Firefly Translates into Serenity: Measuring Success in Cross-Media Adaptation.” Popular Culture Association / American Culture Association Conference, 2013, Washington, DC.
  • “Adaptation, Auteurism, and Afterlife: An Interdisciplinary Investigation of the Intersemiotic Translator.” University of Massachusetts, Amherst Graduate Student Translation Conference, 2013, Amherst, MA. (Chief conference co-organizer, panel chair)
  • “The Rhetorician as a Superhero: Using Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog to Communicate Rhetorical Theory.” Popular Culture Association / American Culture Association Conference, 2014, New Orleans, LA.

Organization

  • Popular Culture Association / American Culture Association Conference, 2012, Boston, MA. “Buffy Through the Looking Glass” Panel Chair.
  • 44th Convention of the Northeast Modern Language Association, 2013, Boston, MA. “Video Games and Society” Panel Organizer and Chair.
  • First biennial UMass Graduate Student Conference in Translation Studies: Reading Between the Lines: Interdisciplinary Dialogue in an Expanding Field, 2013, Amherst, MA. Co-organizer.

VOLUNTEER WORK

Volunteer translator of legal documents for seekers of political asylum at the Freedom House of Detroit (2010-present)

AWARDS

  • University Honors (awarded all four years of undergraduate studies)
  • Residential College Mastery of a Foreign Language Award (2011)
  • Donald Hirsch Undergraduate Award for excellence in communication in a foreign language (2011)
  • James B. Angell Scholar (2009, 2010, 2011)
  • Julia Conger Scholarship (academic years 2008 & 2009)
  • William J. Branstrom Freshman Prize (March 2008)

TRAVEL

Summer of 2010: Studied in Grenoble, France at the Université Stendhal through the Centre Universitaire d’Études Françaises. B2-level course completed with highest marks possible.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience in a wide range of disciplines including composition, translation, international literatures (including English, French, and postcolonial literatures), comparative literature, communications, film studies, new media studies, popular culture studies, writing for film and television, and fan studies.
  • Experience teaching varied levels of English composition, including to upper-level college students, in individual tutoring, and in standardized graduate admissions test preparation courses.
  • Extensive research in digital and multi-media literacy, including experience with multi-modal composing and social media, as well as experience with online and hybrid courses.
  • Training in teaching reading comprehension, composition, and analytical writing.
  • Experience with curriculum development for both online and on-site upper-level college courses.
  • Ability to deliver instruction in a compelling and engaging manner, using strategies designed for diverse learning styles and utilizing advanced instructional technologies.
  • Experience with conference organization, working with and supervising groups, and collaboration with faculty, graduate students, staff, and community.
  • Interest in and commitment to professional development and high standards in education.
  • Experience promoting success for students with outstanding potential.