curriculum vitae
I'm a communications educator and multimedia professional specializing in journalism, strategic storytelling, and digital media production. With five years of high school teaching experience leading nationally recognized student publications and additional expertise in nonprofit communications and higher education, I bring both pedagogical skill and current industry practice to the classroom. My teaching emphasizes hands-on, project-based learning that develops students' critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and practical communication skills.
EDUCATION
MASTER OF ARTS IN COMMUNICATION Saint Louis University | St. Louis, MO | 2019
Concentration: Rhetoric and Storytelling
Graduated Magna Cum Laude
Applied Project: Campaign Research and Execution for STL Sitter
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN COMMUNICATION Saint Louis University | St. Louis, MO | 2017
Concentration: Journalism and Media
Minor: Education
Graduated Magna Cum Laude with multiple semesters on Dean’s List
Teaching Experience
JOURNALISM INSTRUCTOR AND PUBLICATIONS ADVISOR Notre Dame de Sion High School | Kansas City, MO | 2020-2025
Courses Taught:
Introduction to Journalism (9th-10th grade)
Advanced Journalism and Newsmagazine Production (10th-12th grade)
Yearbook Production and Design (10th-12th grade)
Digital Storytelling (9th-12th grade)
Graphic Design for Publication (10th-12th grade)
Teaching Responsibilities:
Developed curriculum emphasizing narrative clarity, ethical journalism practices, visual communication, and multi-platform content creation.
Adapted complex communication theories and journalistic practices for high school audiences across varying skill levels.
Integrated real-world applications, including interviewing techniques, AP Style, fact-checking, layout design, and digital publishing.
Implemented project-based learning that resulted in publishable student work recognized at state and national levels.
Mentored student editorial teams (8-18 students annually) in leadership, deadline management, and collaborative production.
Student Outcomes:
Led student publications to NSPA All-American Marks of Distinction and Pacemaker Finalist honors.
Guided students through production of 5-6 print newsmagazine issues annually, daily online news coverage, and 232-page yearbooks.
Developed a pipeline of student journalists, with multiple graduates pursuing communication and journalism degrees.
Professional Experience
DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT AND CONTENT MANAGER SparkWheel | Lawrence, KS | August 2025 - October 2025
Developed and managed digital content strategy for a nonprofit organization
Increased Facebook interactions by 45% and Instagram post views by 55% within 60 days
Strengthened brand storytelling through journalistic, human-centered content
VIDEOGRAPHER Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity | Carmel, IN | 2019 - 2020
Launched and managed official YouTube channel, producing weekly video content aligned with national branding standards
Traveled nationally to produce multimedia stories featuring collegiate and alumnae members
Earned Adobe After Effects certification
Collaborated with a five-person communications team on multimedia strategy and campaign storytelling
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST Saint Louis University College of Arts & Sciences | St. Louis, MO | 2017 - 2019
Produced multimedia features (video, photo, web) for 30+ academic departments
Interviewed faculty across scientific and humanities disciplines to translate complex research for diverse audiences
Revitalized the college’s social media presence, growing Instagram followers by 700% and increasing engagement from 12 to 60 average likes per post
FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER, VIDEOGRAPHER, AND DESIGNER 2016 - Present
Provide photography, videography, and graphic design services for individual clients and organizations.
Maintain active freelance practice producing photography, videography, and graphic design work for educational institutions, arts organizations, and private clients, including portrait sessions, event coverage, and promotional materials.
Research interests
Rhetoric of Political Discourse
Communication and Identity
Media Literacy and Digital Ethics
Gender and Racial Representation in Media
Storytelling as Civic Engagement
Public Memory and Visual Memorialization
Strategic Communication
Visual Rhetoric, Design, and Journalistic Practice
PUblications and Presentations
Crook, V. J. (2019). An Introduction to the Rhetoric of Trump’s “Battle”. Journal of Business Diversity, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.33423/jbd.v19i1.1351
“An Introduction to the Rhetoric of Trump’s ‘Battle.’” 104th Annual National Communication Association Convention, Salt Lake City, UT, November 2018.
“Gender and Racial Representation in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.” Saint Louis University Graduate Study Research Symposium, St. Louis, MO, 2019. Third Place, Humanities Category.
Awards and HOnors
Advising and Teaching:
NSPA All-American Marks of Distinction (Yearbook), 2021-2024
NSPA All-American Marks of Distinction (Newsmagazine), 2022-2024
NSPA Pacemaker Finalist (Yearbook), 2023, 2024
NSPA Pacemaker Finalist (Newsmagazine), 2023, 2024
NSPA St. Louis Convention, Best of Show, First Place (Newsmagazine), November 2022
NSPA St. Louis Convention, Best of Show, 10th Place (Yearbook), November 2022
Walsworth Gallery of Excellence (Yearbook), 2021-2025
Academic:
Magna Cum Laude, M.A. Communication, Saint Louis University, 2019
Special Recognition for Design & Audience Strategy, National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC), Kansas City, MO, 2018
Magna Cum Laude, B.A. Communication, Saint Louis University, 2017
Dean’s List (multiple semesters), Saint Louis University, 2013-2017