- 2001–2004: Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
MFA, Creative Writing; minors in Secondary Education / Technical Writing - 1994–1998: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
BA, History and Public Policy; minors in Film and Media Studies / International Affairs
WORK EXPERIENCE
March 2011 – June 2012
Public Relations and Marketing Director: DescuentoLibre.com, Austin, TX
- Directed marketing campaigns to acquire e-mail subscribers, generate sales, and foster customer loyalty.
- Directed PR and social media campaigns to build brand awareness, increase followers and blog mentions, and generate media coverage.
- Managed team of copywriters, graphic designers, and interns to produce deals and blog posts; edited content for accuracy, grammar, and voice in English and Spanish.
February 2008 – March 2011
Public Relations and Membership Director: Mexic-Arte Museum, Austin, TX
- Directed marketing campaigns to retain and cultivate members, volunteers, donors, and sponsors; used direct email and phone canvassing, digital newsletters, social media, and events.
- Built and maintained a local media database; wrote and distributed press releases for exhibits, events, and educational programs.
- Coordinated special events, including annual Viva la Vida Dia de los Muertos festival and black tie Gala – managed budget planning, sponsorships, media campaigns, and volunteers.
June 2006 – January 2008
Administrative Assistant: Texas FFA Foundation, Austin, TX
- Administered scholarships, managed donor contributions, and cultivated new donors.
- Maintained website, wrote and designed marketing materials, and planned special events.
February – July 2006
Freelance Writer: Applied Practice, Austin, TX
- Wrote questions and sample essays for practice TAKS exams.
- Correlated test questions to high school TEKS.
August 2004 – June 2006 (also August 1999 – August 2001)
Office Manager: Blackerby Violin Shop, Austin, TX
- Managed customer database and rental instrument program.
- Maintained website and designed marketing materials.
June – July 2004
English Teacher: Caminos Summer Leadership Camp, San Marcos, TX
- Taught fundamental elements of the TAKS in an intensive 6-week, 9th grade English class.
- Served as role model and mentor for at-risk and minority students.
Fall 2002 – Spring 2004
Instructor for College Writing I & II: Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
- Led discussions about literary texts to help students generate original arguments.
- Conducted workshops to explore style and grammar in students’ writing.
January – December 2003
Editor/Mentor: Katherine A. Porter Young Writers Program, Kyle, TX
- Guided group of at-risk high school students through writing of a children’s book.
- Co-edited finished product for submission to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the University of Texas Press.
Spring 2002 – Fall 2003
Fiction Editor for Persona: Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
- Reviewed and selected fiction submissions.
- Line-edited fiction and provided content revision suggestions to contributing writers.
Summer 2002
Creative Writing Teacher: Katherine A. Porter Young Writers Program, Kyle, TX
- Taught weekly creative writing classes at the Academy@Hays (alternative high school).
- Mentored high school students as a college graduate and writer.
August 1998 – August 1999
Assistant to Executive Director: Austin Museum of Art, Austin, TX
- Initiated and maintained historical archives.
- Translated (English to Spanish) and helped edit exhibition texts.
PUBLICATIONS
- Weekly article in LatinoMetro (March 2012 – present)
- Weekly article in Austin Post (March 2012 – present)
- Monthly column in TODO Austin (January 2009 – present)
- “Sonia Marie De Léon de Vega Brings Classical Music to Latino Youth.” Popular Hispanics, 2011.
- “Bag It: New Film Shows the Dangers of Plastic to the Earth and Our Bodies.” Popular Hispanics, 2010.
- “Western Swing Baked from Scratch.” Texas Books in Review Vol. XXIV, No. 1 (2004): 6-7.
- ed. Wiley’s Way. Austin: UT Press, 2004.
SKILLS
- Languages: bilingual English-Spanish (read, write, and speak fluently)
- Database software: DonorPerfect, GiftWorks, ACT
- Financial software: QuickBooks
- Graphic design software: Adobe Creative Suite, Adobe Premiere Elements
- Blogging software: Blogger, WordPress, TypePad
- Microsoft Office software (including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access)
