EDUCATION

Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, New York, NY

M.S. in Journalism, May 2008

• Fellow with honors in the Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism, broadcast concentration

• The Business of Immigrant Detention, a multi-media investigative report, with a 4-part print story, with video and audio segments, interactive graphics and map (www.businessofdetention.com)

University of Houston (Central Campus), Houston, TX

B.A. History, B.A. Psychology, summa cum laude, 1997

AWARDS

• Soros Justice Media Fellowship, 2010
• The Nation Institute Investigative Fund Grant Recipient, 2009
• Finalist, Webby Awards, 2009
• Carnegie-Knight News21 Fellow, 2008
• Melvin Mencher Award for Superior Reporting, 2008
• James A. Wechsler Memorial Award for National Reporting, 2008
• Molly Ivins Scholar, 2007-2008
• Best Radio News award from Houston Press editors and readers, 2004

WORK EXPERIENCE

Print

Researcher & Reporter, New York Times Investigative Unit, Fall 2008 – Spring 2009

• Contributed research and reporting to two front page stories, a Pulitzer-nominated series, and a pending report

Contributing Reporter, The American Prospect, Spring 2009-present

• Focus on expansion of immigration enforcement under Obama administration

Contributing Reporter, The Texas Observer, Fall 2008-present

• Briefs and online reporting, and a pending investigative cover story with video

Contributing Reporter, Huffington Post, Fall 2008-present

• Original political reporting and cross-posting of freelance work

Contributing Reporter, Columbia Journalism Review, Fall 2008

• Multimedia investigation of how the GOP used astroturf websites during 2008 election

Reporter, copy editor, Indypendent, New York, NY 2007-present

• Front page stories on the earthquake in Haiti and the rezoning of Harlem’s 125th Street, reports on crime and immigration

Video/Web

Co-producer, DeportationNation.org, June 2010 – present

Contributing Web Reporter, PBS Need to Know, July 2010 – present

Multimedia Producer, PBS Wide Angle, May 2009 – June 2010

• Produced original video, slideshows, maps, print and podcast features; designed and coded website features during 2009 season and for Women, War & Peace special series.

Freelance video reporter, Motherjones.com, The New Republic, Current.com, May 2008 – present

Reporter, News21, focus on immigration and Election ’08, Summer 2008

• “Meet Juan Crow? Arizona’s Disenfranchised Voter,” a multi-media package with an in-depth video, interactive map of voter ID laws, audio interviews, slideshow and source list (www.newsinitiative.org)

Website editor & reporter, Houston Independent Media Center, Houston, TX 2001-2007

• Edited website for citizen journalists, contributed print, photos and audio reports

Radio

Senior Instructor, People’s Production House, Fall 2008-Present

• Trained members of grassroots activist groups to produce audio packages and radio show, edited website

Reporter, Free Speech Radio News (Pacifica Radio’s nightly newscast), 2001-present

• Former lead correspondent for major stories from Houston, Texas and Louisiana, now reporting from New York City

News Director, KPFT-FM, Pacifica Radio, Houston, TX, 2002-2006

• Produced and wrote live daily 30 min. newscast of headlines, packages, on-air interview segments

• Created news department, training and internship programs, managed 20 reporters

• Produced weekend breaking news special on U.S. invasion of Iraq

Reporter, Anchor, KPFT-FM, Pacifica Radio, Houston, TX, 2002-2006

• Reported and narrated news packages, features, and documentary specials

• Correspondent from New Orleans during aftermath of Hurricane Katrina (Reported for BBC, CBC, Air America, Making Contact, Pacifica Radio)

• Traveled nationally and to Mexico and Brazil to report on major events

SKILLS

• Pro Tools, Audacity, Photoshop, Final Cut, Excel, Access, CAR, FOIA, Spanish
• Web production skills include HTML, Flash, Google Earth, WordPress, Drupal, Joomla

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Multimedia Advisor, Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism, Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, Fall 2009-Present

• Provide training and guidance to students on multimedia master’s project from conception to publication.

Adjunct Professor, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey Fall 2008-Spring 2009

• COJR 4424 Broadcast News: A senior level course focused on gathering, writing and producing audio news packages for radio and online media. Student work aired on school radio station, WSOU. Created and edited class blog used for following industry trends, sharing internship opportunities

• COMM 1421 Writing for the Media: Introduction to various types of media writing, Associated Press style and copy editing techniques. Special emphasis on research techniques for media writing and on writing styles for print, broadcast, public relations and advertising.

Senior Instructor, People’s Production House, NYC, New York Fall 2008-Spring 2009

• 12-week Reporting for Radio course: Students learn radio recording, interviewing, digital editing, broadcast writing style, voicing techniques. Several pieces aired on Pacifica national news program, and NPR’s News & Notes. Designed curriculum and activities, co-produced radio program featuring student stories

News Trainer, KPFT-FM, Houston, Texas 2002-2006

• Developed training curriculum and taught monthly 4-day training for volunteer reporters.

Instructor, Voices Breaking Boundaries After School Program & Youth Media Project

• Developed curriculum and taught high school students how to produce radio packages

Instructor, SHAPE Community Center

• Developed curriculum and trained middle school students how to produce radio drama