Biography

I’m an award-winning writer, podcaster, executive producer and communications professional who has an exceptional talent for distilling complex information into clear and concise messages. For 25 years, I’ve worked in the public relations and communication field preparing high-end collateral pieces from strategy to production (print, audio, video), managing electronic and hard-copy publications and corporate messages that meet aggressive deadlines.

In my 11+ year position as executive director of communications & marketing for Clark College Foundation , I provided public relation assessments, strategic planning, solutions and evaluation. I was in charge of all internal and external content, advertising, audio and visual media production and overall brand management. I was also the editor in chief of Clark Partners magazine, a 28-page alumni publication, and the producer of Penguin Chats, Clark College Foundation’s podcast series. I earned my APR in 2018.

Awards

• • • Distinguished 2021 Bronze Anvil Commendation from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) for the podcast, “Beyond the Tragedy”
    • 2021 PRSA Oregon Chapter Merit award for the messaging about an annual fundraising campaign called PenguinsGive
    • Distinguished 2020 Bronze Anvil Commendation from PRSA for the 2019 edition of Clark Partners magazine
    • 2020 PRSA Oregon Chapter two Merit awards for the “Beyond the Tragedy” podcast and “Tracking COVID-19” video
    • 2019 PRSA Oregon Spotlight award for the “Farewell to Clark’s 13th President” podcast
      

      Rhonda Morin accepting the 2019 PRSA Oregon’s Spotlight Award for the podcast “Farewell to Clark’s 13th President.”

    • 2017 bronze accolade from CASE District VIII for a high-end fundraising publication I wrote, produced and edited
    • 2017 silver award for feature writing from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District VIII for a story I edited
    • 2015 platinum/gold in the Best Practices in Fundraising Campaigns category for the Clark College Foundation’s $20 million fundraising campaign The accolade from CASE District VIII recognizes excellence in marketing and communications among 130+ member institutions.
    • Bronze medalist, USA Cycling’s National Cyclocross Championship
    • Multiple Oregon state cyclocross champion, including single speed

Other Professional Work & Community Volunteerism

• • President, PRSA Oregon and SW Washington Chapter, 2023
  • DEI Committee, PRSA Oregon and SW Washington Chapter, 2021-present
  • Sorella Forte, women’s cycling club, current webmaster and former board member
  • Wilderness Rescue Team, former member
  • Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, former board member
  • North Carolina Outward Bound, former assistant instructor
  • Editor in chief of Oregon Health News, a health care business news source that reported on the dynamics of health care financing, delivery and policy. Transformed the publication from a two-color, printed newsletter to a modern Web site with breaking news, rotating content, graphics, special supplements, columns and white papers.
  • Editor of Thomas Magazine, a Thomas College alumni publication that explored higher education in New England. Rejuvenated the magazine with a fresh layout and compelling stories such as an Iraqi student’s escape from war to an American college and the reasons why women earn more collegiate degrees than men.
  • Created comprehensive, capital and referendum campaign materials for Clark College Foundation, Maine Public Broadcasting Network and Thomas College.
  • Wrote original stories for College Planning & Management Magazine
  • Produced online medical news for MDiTV.com
  • Assistant editor at Service News, a former business-to-business publication probing the computer service industry.

Education

• • • Accreditation in public relations (APR)
    • Bachelor’s in journalism, University of Maine
    • Master’s in women’s studies, Eastern Michigan University
    • Certification in core and corrective exercise, Clark College
    • Licensed emergency medical technician with a background serving rural communities
    • Trained in wilderness rescue techniques