SKILLS SUMMARY: Engaging writer, editor and speaker with demonstrated accomplishments in higher education, business communications, marketing, public relations, and political advocacy in online, print and broadcast media. Committed community activist and leader with proven success at collaborating, organizing, and inspiring others to action. Extensive public speaking and presentation experience before diverse audiences of varying sizes, both live and for broadcast. A results-oriented, independent thinker and strong team contributor with successful participation in numerous community groups.
COMMUNICATIONS SNAPSHOT:
Recruiting Consultant, JCSI, Westborough, MA June 2011-present
Consistently meet or exceed expectations regarding call rates and successful candidate screens. Conduct national outreach to candidates from a variety of industries regarding employment opportunities, including technical, professional, and entry-level positions. Interview qualified candidates and write reports for client review. Counsel prospective candidates on self-marketing based on career training, knowledge of various industries, and understanding of employer expectations.
Editorial and Creative Services, Lowell, MA 1990-present
Provide communication services for clients in business, politics, education, and community service. Edit newsletters, dissertations, and campaign materials; write corporate brochures, advocacy and public relations text for diverse clients. Former clients include: Parametric Technology Corporation, Greater Lowell YMCA, St. Colletta’s of Massachusetts, Memtek Corporation, and the Isaak Walton League of America.
Co-write blog www.jackiedoherty.org on news and views from a Lowell perspective 2012-present
2007-2010
Director of College Relations, Emerson College, Boston, Mass. 1987-1990
Oversaw internal and external public relations program for private college, collaborating with other departments, such as Alumni Relations and Admissions, to market and advance the college’s goals. Edited quarterly alumni magazine, planning content and photos, writing stories, coordinating internal staff, and assigning freelance writers. Wrote monthly faculty newsletter. Managed relations with outside media, writing press releases, arranging interviews, and overseeing logistics for media events. Strengthened relationships with alumni, faculty and media through effective and timely communications (never missed a deadline).
Editor, Raytheon Company, Bedford, Mass. 1985-1987
Hired to produce employee newsletter for one engineering facility: Within six months, promoted to division editor of an expanded publication serving five sites with a readership increase from 5,000 to 17,000 employees. Planned each issue, from concept through production, wrote articles, edited text submitted by off-site, part-time staff; and coordinated with internal team of graphic designers, photographers, and printers to produce monthly division newsletter. Continued to excel and was transferred to Creative Services Department to write and oversee production of external communications, such as marketing brochures and corporate publications that often required translating technical information into layperson terms.
Public Relations Writer, Raymond, Kowal & Wicks, Cambridge, Mass. 1984-1985
Identified and developed media contacts for clients for trade-article placement, co-wrote articles with engineers, edited newsletters, and created public relations strategies for primarily high-technology accounts.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY
ELECTED LOCAL LEADER: Lowell School Committee, Lowell, MA 2004–2012
Served four terms (8 years) on the board, demonstrating success at organizing and engaging community stakeholders, and ability to collaborate with others. As a member, focused on improving student outcomes which led to more varied course offerings for younger students and significant growth in test scores; in addition, emphasis on family engagement resulted in enhanced and consistent outreach to parents.
As a political candidate, successfully developed personal brand through campaign materials, such as online posts, radio and print advertisements, brochures, direct-mail pieces, as well as public speaking. Organized fund-raising events, conducted grassroots outreach to business and nonprofit leaders, and citizens.
ELECTED STATE LEADER: Massachusetts Association of School Committees 2004-present
Vice President, MASC Executive Board 2012 Chair, MASC Urban Division 2007-2011
Elected by school committee peers across the Commonwealth, demonstrating leadership and commitment. Organize meetings for Massachusetts members on statewide education issues, often involving elected legislative leaders. Develop education reform resolutions, promote informed and effective advocacy for members, and testify before state leaders and legislators on issues impacting public schools.
MEMBERSHIPS: More than a decade of active membership in nonprofit, government and community groups, demonstrating skills in collaboration, consensus building, and teamwork to achieve common goals.
Lowell Immigration Commission Governor’s Advisory Commission on Local Government
Lowell Youth Development Council Roundtable on Substance Abuse Prevention
Lowell Nonprofit Alliance (NPA) Citywide Parent Council-Executive Board
UML Community-University Advisory Board Lowell Telecommunications Corporation-Board Member
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Adjunct Professor, University of Massachusetts at Lowell 2004-2005
Taught courses in freshmen composition with a focus on evidence-based argumentative. Consistently received positive evaluations from department chair and students.
Adjunct Professor, Daniel Webster College, Nashua, New Hampshire 1994-2004
Taught writing and public speaking courses. Served as faculty liaison for Service Learning English (college students serve as tutors in Nashua public schools). Engaged struggling writers and improved student learning through creation and use of games, such as Ten Comma Commandments, Grammar Jeopardy, and Taboo Word Description Challenge. Consistently earned exemplary department chair and student evaluations: “my writing has honestly improved” and “most fun ever learning rules of punctuation.”
Instructor, Northern Essex Community College, Haverhill, MA 1994-1996
Led creative writing workshops for adults, focusing on narrative in fiction and non-fiction work.
EDUCATION
Self-funded education at Emerson College 100% by working full time in College Relations and Career Services while a matriculating student. Dean’s List student, graduating with honors for all degrees.
MFA, Creative Writing Emerson College
BA, Mass Communication, Minor in Business & Organizational Communication Emerson College
AA, Liberal Arts Bunker Hill Community College
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jackie-doherty/15/82a/454