I am seeking a full-time position as editor, director of student media, student media adviser, newsletter editor or historian. As a historian, I specialize in writing about public health and epidemics. I am also open to and experienced in clerical and nonprofit communications work. I am willing to relocate on your timeline and at my expense. I am vaccinated against COVID-19 (bivalent booster received Sept. 2022). I will gladly provide a copy of my vaccine card. I am also vaccinated against the flu (immunization received Oct. 2022).
If you would like to hire me, I can begin immediately.
Work Experience
Office of Research, George Mason University October 2019-Present
Science Communicator Collaborate with professors and researchers to write summaries of grant-funded projects. Post those summaries to EurekAlert! Write weekly summaries of external news coverage of Mason research. Manage Office of Research Twitter account (@MasonResearch).
Academic Assistance, George Mason University August 2016-December 2019
Level 4 Tutor Tutored Mason student athletes in history and created website with resources to help my students
Office of Research, George Mason University February 2016-October 2019
GMU Worker Wrote news articles about Mason research, produced weekly reports for top Mason officials summarizing external media coverage of Mason research and managed Office of Research Twitter account (@MasonResearch)
College of William & Mary February 2016-March 2016
Independent Contractor/Consultant Conducted social science research related to skills marine scientists need to transition to work outside academia
George Mason University March 2015-May 2015
Composition Web Developer Graded papers, provided student support during office hours and served as substitute instructor for two sections of English 302 (Advanced Composition)
Office of Research January 2015-January 2016
Part-time student wage Maintained Office of Research Facebook and Twitter accounts and produced weekly reports for top Mason officials summarizing media coverage of Mason research
ADA Compliance, George Mason University September-December 2011; June 2012-December 2013; August 2014-March 2015
Reading Aide Assisted a visually impaired English instructor with grading and test proctoring
Communications Intern, AACC May 2014-August 2014
Wrote press releases and news articles, compiled media lists, transcribed audio recordings of interviews and provided administrative support to the communications team of the American Association of Clinical Chemistry
Graduate Research Assistant, George Mason University August 2013-May 2014
Assisted communication professor with research project for Virginia Sea Grant focused on helping scientists communicate with their publics
GMView, George Mason University 2005
PR/Recruiting Director Sold more yearbooks than anyone else in my Yearbook Workshop class, took photographs and worked to recruit new members for GMView
Society of Professional Journalists, George Mason University chapter 2005
Assistant to the Advisor Helped to re-establish the Mason chapter of SPJ and conducted research on the habits of award-winning university newspaper staffs
Broadside, George Mason University 2003-2005
Senior Staff Writer Wrote specially selected stories under the direction of Broadside news editors 2005
News Editor Led a staff of more than thirty writers, selected and assigned news story topics and edited news copy during the Fall 2004 semester 2004
Guide Editor Selected, assigned and edited content for the 2004 Orientation Guide 2004
Assistant City Editor Edited the Spotlight page for the last issue of the Spring 2004 semester 2004
Staff Writer Reported and wrote articles on state and federal matters of interest to Mason students 2003-2004
University of South Carolina-Beaufort 2002-2003
Temporary Worker Served as switchboard operator and computer lab attendant
Broadside, George Mason University 2001
Staff Writer Wrote news and feature stories
Education
George Mason University
Master of Arts, Communication, 2015
Science communication concentration; Master’s thesis on HIV and social support in religious settings
Bachelor of Arts, Communication, 2013
Public relations concentration; Electronic journalism minor
Master of Arts, History, 2012
Major papers on 1977 Led Zeppelin concert riot, 1918 influenza pandemic and Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906
Bachelor of Arts, History, 2002
Senior paper on colonial American quarantine laws related to smallpox in Massachusetts; invited to study at both Oxford and Cambridge
Volunteer Experience
-Served as board member, newsletter editor, webmaster and recording secretary of the Society of Professional Journalists Washington D.C. Pro Chapter
-Served as a proofreader of the Spring 2013 edition of Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences
-Completed historical photo preservation project at Beaufort County (S.C.) Public Library (2003)
Academic Memberships
Alpha Chi *Golden Key International Honour Society *National Society of Collegiate Scholars *National Dean’s List *Phi Alpha Theta *Phi Kappa Phi *Tau Sigma National Honor Society
Résumé (PDF)
Writing Samples:
Recent media report
Office of Research Media Report, 2.17.23
Regaining mobility after a spinal cord injury, with help from an exoskeleton
https://volgenau.gmu.edu/news/2017-03/regaining-mobility-after-spinal-cord-injury-help-exoskeleton
Cuellar Examining How COVID-19 Changed Care for Patients With Chronic Conditions
Attacking tumors from the inside
https://volgenau.gmu.edu/news/2016-12/attacking-tumors-inside
Next year’s eclipse will give Mason scientists rare glimpse into ionosphere
Mason researcher studies the evolution of blue and fin whales
https://science.gmu.edu/news/mason-researcher-studies-evolution-blue-and-fin-whales
Last updated: February 17, 2023
Elizabeth Grisham 