

Phone: (614) 247-4429		e-mail

summary of qualifications

Creative, organized, and dynamic writer/editor with a record of achievement applying communications and design skills, an M.S.L.S. degree, and 100+ publication credits to efficient publication development for cause-driven organizations. Excel at editing and designing publications, researching and organizing information, and editing websites. Effective in developing communications for nonprofit organizations through paid and volunteer work. Highly organized and tenacious professional with strong collaborative problem-solving skills. Software proficiencies:

Adobe Creative Suite

Adobe InDesign
Illustrator
Photoshop
Dreamweaver
Fireworks

FileMaker Pro
Microsoft Office

IN OTHERS’ WORDS

She brings high energy and cheerfulness to each project, and she can accommodate even the tightest deadline without sacrificing accuracy. Her strong command of the English language and sharp eye for detail have made Sandra one of our most-requested freelancers. Carolyn Dumore, former managing editor, Anker Publishing

High-quality publications, reports, and other deliverables are consistently produced on schedule …Highly regarded in the field for its publications…Outstanding in meeting deadlines.…Sandra is an outstanding organizer, editor, and author. Her work habits have had substantial positive impact on the quality and timeliness of contract deliverables. Richard Whalen, Federal Contract Monitor, Office of Educational Research and Improvement, U.S. Department of Education

A word of thanks for your great work on our newsletter. The format is so invitational and the way that you have put together the articles and information is very effective. I really feel it is one of the best tools for sharing the Network’s presence in our region and a stellar communications piece. Barbara Davis, former chair, Spirituality Network Board of Directors

A recent ERIC Digest by Sandra Kerka, “Alternatives for At-Risk and Out-of-School Youth,” brilliantly summarizes what we know about what kind of education works for at-risk out-of-school young adults. I recommend Kerka’s brief to every education practitioner who works with young adults and adults. David J. Rosen, Director, Adult Literacy Resource Institute

professional experience

HIGHLIGHTS OF PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Acquired through full-time, freelance, and volunteer positions

Publications and Grant Management

Ensured achievement of internal/external communication goals by editing, researching, and/or writing 40+ publications annually with oversight of author selection and publication type/topic development.
Enhanced the communications value of publications through the design and formatting of brochures, directories, information briefs, reports, and more than 10 organizational newsletters in both print/electronic formats.
Achieved outreach and marketing goals by developing promotional materials and press releases, publicizing organizational events, and conducting membership campaigns.>
Contributed to program improvement by leading the publications team of Learning-Work Connection in the development of electronic newsletters, guides, and training materials for youth development practitioners.
Enhanced awareness and use of information through the design/execution of dissemination strategies.

Website Management

Designed and managed websites for the Ohio State University Office of University Outreach and Engagement, Service-Learning Initiative, and P-12 Project.
Collaborated on web layout/content development as a key member of the web design teams for LearningWork Connection, ERIC, and Center on Education and Training for Employment.
Improved community awareness of mission-driven organizations by designing web pages and content for diverse sites, including Covenant Presbyterian Church, Academy-ExcellenceInTeaching.org, Columbus City Ballet School, Springfield Ballet Workshop, and OhioDance (http://www.irisandra.com/index.html).

Grant Writing

Helped win $11.2 million in new federal/foundation grant funding and renewal of a $2+ million contract for 5 consecutive cycles from the U.S. Department of Education, OSHA, Hewlett Foundation, and the Cleveland Foundation by researching funding opportunities, writing, and managing proposal development.
Led the Center on Education and Training for Employment's resource development search team in researching and identifying funding opportunities.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, Columbus, OH (1979-present)

Communications Manager, University Outreach & Engagement, Service-Learning Initiative, and P-12 Project (2006-present) These affiliated programs support the integration of outreach and engagement into teaching, research, and service.

Provide leadership in communications and marketing efforts, including websites, media releases, publications, presentations, and displays. Write, edit, and design electronic and print communications. Monitor and update websites and databases. Collaborate with internal and external partners in developing and implementing programs.

Writer, Learning-Work Connection (2003-present) LWC uses youth development research to provide practical tools and information to youth-serving professionals.

Led publications team (researching, writing, editing, and designing publications). Developed resources for training workshops. Served on marketing/outreach team (identifying and implementing dissemination strategies). Served on website team (development of content; advising on organization and design). Researched funding opportunities and prepared grant proposals. Currently a consulting editor/writer.

Information Synthesis Project Editor, National Dissemination Center for Career/Technical Education (2000-2003) NDCTE conducted research, dissemination, and professional development activities for the career and technical education field.

Managed publications program (developed topics and genres; solicited authors and reviewers; researched, edited, and wrote publications, including information briefs, research reports, newsletter; designed and formatted print and electronic publications).

Associate Director, ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, & Vocational Education (1993-2003); Promoted three times from previous positions as Assistant Director (1989-1993), Processing Coordinator (1984-1993), and Acquisitions Coordinator (1979-1984). ERIC/ACVE provided comprehensive information services in adult and continuing education, career education, vocational and technical education, and employment and training.

Managed publications program of over 40 products per year (developed topics and genres; solicited authors and reviewers; researched, edited, and wrote publications, including information syntheses, monographs, newsletter; designed and formatted print and electronic publications). Managed database processing program (trained, supervised, and edited the work of freelance abstractor/indexers; acquired, catalogued, and processed 30-50 documents and 30-50 journal articles per week; abstracted and indexed documents and articles; developed subject indexing terms for the Thesaurus of ERIC Descriptors).

FREELANCE/VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

SPIRITUALITY NETWORK, Editor, Columbus, OH (2005-present)

OHIO ARTS PRESENTERS NETWORK, Editor/Designer, Columbus, OH (1996-present)

OHIODANCE, Editor/Webmaster, Columbus, OH (1995-2003)

Other clients: Anker Publishing, Jones & Bartlett Publishers, Conflict Management Services, Statewide Arts Service Organizations of Ohio, Commission of Professors of Adult Education, National Career Development Association, Midwest Research-to-Practice Conference in Adult, Continuing, and Community Education, and California Adult Literacy Professional Development Project

education

CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY, Master of Science in Library Science, Cleveland, OH

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Columbus, OH

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Using Databases to Create Web Content with ASP
Excel 2000, 2003
Website Accessibility
Cascading Style Sheets
Filemaker Pro 8, Levels 1, 2
Internet Search Strategies
Basic/Advanced HTML
Intermediate/Advanced InDesign
Intermediate/Advanced Dreamweaver

activities

AFFILIATIONS

Association for Women in Communications
Association of Faculty and Professional Women
American Society for Information Science & Technology
Publications Editor, 1993-1994; Secretary, 1989-1991

SERVICE

Book Review Editor, Journal of Continuing Higher Education, 2002-present
Editorial Board, ERIC Review, 1992-2003
OhioDance Board of Trustees, 1995-2000 (Secretary 1996-2000)
OhioDance Advisory Board, 2000-2005
ERIC National Technical Steering Committee, 1989-1994

AWARDS AND HONORS

OhioDance Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Artform, 2003

Dean Farmer Memorial Staff Recognition Award for outstanding contributions to the National Center for Research in Vocational Education

Phi Beta Kappa

Beta Phi Mu (library science honorary society)

design and editing samples

Invited contributing author to the International Encyclopedia of Adult Education, edited by L. M. English. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005. “Journals,” pp. 325-334; “Research Methods,” pp. 554-560.

Building the Future: The Impact of Engaged Partnerships. Columbus: Office of University Outreach & Engagement, The Ohio State University, 2007. http://outreach.osu.edu/publications.php#impact

Impact 2007. Columbus: Office of University Outreach & Engagement, The Ohio State University, 2007. http://outreach.osu.edu/publications.php#impact

Making Waves: Impact. Columbus: Office of University Outreach & Engagement, The Ohio State University, 2006. http://outreach.osu.edu/publications.php#impact

Spirituality Network Newsletter, Spring 2005-present http://www.spiritualitynetwork.org/newsletter.html

Centergram, newsletter of the Center on Education and Training for Employment, The Ohio State University (print and electronic formats), http://cete.org/CentergramIntro.asp

ERICFile, newsletter of the ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education, The Ohio State University (print and electronic formats), http://www.calpro-online.org/ERIC/ericfile.asp

CPAE News, annual newsletter of the Commission of Professors of Adult Education, http://www.aaace.org/cpae/

selected publications

Invited contributing author to the International Encyclopedia of Adult Education, edited by L. M. English. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005. “Journals,” pp. 325-334; “Research Methods,” pp. 554-560.

“Editor's Picks: Mediation” by Sandra Kerka and Cheryl Lowry. The Conflict Resolution Information Source, funded by the Hewlett Foundation, 2004. http://beta.crinfo.org/recommendations/topic.jsp?id=552&nid=1065

Contributing author to the Greenwood Dictionary of Education, edited by J. W. Collins III and N. P. O'Brien. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2003.

“Extending Information Literacy in Electronic Environments.” New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education no. 88 (Winter 2000): 27-38.

LearningWork Connection Publications (http://www.learningworkconnection.org/publications.asp):

What Works: Evidence-Based Strategies for Youth Practitioners—

Tutoring, 2007
Study Skills, 2007
Dropout Prevention, 2006
Linking Employment and Academics, 2006
Occupational Skills Training, 2006
Out-of-School Youth, 2005
Alternative Education, 2005

Goal Setting and Skill Attainment in Youth Programs, 2004
Strategies for Serving Out-of-School Youth, 2004
Afterschool Programs, 2003
Alternatives for At-Risk and Out-of-School Youth, 2003

National Dissemination Center for Career and Technical Education Publications (http://nccte.org):

Effective Advisory Committees. In Brief no. 17, 2002
Career and Technical Education: A New Look. In Brief no. 8, 2000
Career Academies. In Brief no. 1, 2000

Selected ERIC Publications, ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education (available at http://www.calpro-online.org/ERIC/pubs.asp
):

Multiple Literacies: A Compilation for Adult Educators (with Glynda Hull, Larry Mikulecky, and Ralf St. Clair), 2003. http://www.calpro-online.org/ERIC/majorpubs2.asp?ID=33

Does Adult Educator Professional Development Make a Difference?, 2003
Community Asset Mapping, 2003
Possible Selves, 2003
Volunteer Development, 2003

“Distance Learning, the Internet, and the World Wide Web.” In Computers in Education, 8th ed., edited by J.J. Hirschbuhl and D. Bishop, pp. 212-214. Guilford, CT: Dushkin/McGraw-Hill, 1998.

“Adult Students and the College Experience.” ERIC Review 5, no. 3 (Fall 1997): 8-10. http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/lps50000/ERIC%20REVIEW%20ARCHIVE/vol5no3.pdf

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