Experience
Director of Web Development
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
2019-present
Live websites: aces.illinois.edu, ansc.illinois.edu, cropsciences.illinois.edu, fshn.illinois.edu
- Lead a web team of two web developers and a web content strategist within a larger marketing team that cross-collaborates
- Provide the online web strategy supporting marketing efforts to recruit students, increase revenue, and bolster reputation and engagement
- Upgrade the project management system, assess risks, issues, and priorities, and identify opportunities for strategic partnerships within ACES and across the university
- Collaborate with a web development team in another college to build and maintain the base framework for the Drupal framework including front-end and back-end web development
- Create evergreen processes for the improvement of web development, testing, and project management
- Implement SEO optimization techniques, user-experience design principles, analytics tracking systems, etc.
- Effectively communicate changes or updates as well as provide training to stakeholders, web editors, faculty, and staff
- Develop and execute plans to structure website navigation, assess content, aid content production and management processes, optimize performance, and enhance accessibility for all websites
- Manage the team’s budget to ensure the unit is adequately resourced including personnel, equipment, software, training, and supplies
Co-chair of Web Implementation Guideline Group
University of Illinois Center of Expertise
2020-present
webtheme.illinois.edu
- Collaborate online with a cross-campus group of web directors, developers, content strategists, and accessibility experts to construct a web theme to be used for the majority of the university’s websites
- Design and evaluate centrally shared web components for an agnostic web platform while enhancing accessibility and user experience
- Lead Drupal and WordPress groups of developers and editors
- Train, educate, document, and communicate best practices for web content and development
Marketing Coordinator
University of Illinois – Campus Recreation
2014-2019
- Managed the transition of the existing website and staff intranet to a new content management system and visual identity, while adhering to new University branding guidelines
- Developed, managed, designed, and implemented effective content marketing strategies, projects, and communication to support programs, events, and awareness
- Utilized research-based insights to create persuasive and engaging content that resonates with target audiences, increased brand awareness, and drove conversions
- Supervised two full-time staff, a graduate assistant, and nine student interns
Entrepreneur, Graphic Designer, Photographer, and Instructional Educator
Posh Prints & Design, Melissa Waller Photography & Design
2011-2014
- Developed an online storefront and membership website for digital template sales and tutorials
- Planned and implemented targeted marketing campaigns with suggestions for related product sales and customer retention.
- Scripted and recorded tutorial videos and online classes to teach other photographers how to use photo software and digital templates for printed materials to increase their sales and business offerings.
- Photographed a wide variety of clients specializing in families, high school seniors, and infants. Proficient in studio and natural lighting with an emphasis on portrait photography.
- Produced superior editing and photo manipulation through Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom.
Media Communications Specialist
Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, University of Illinois
2005-2011
- Facilitated design and advertising projects between multiple departments within Athletics.
- Designed printed materials including event tickets, large posters, and media books.
- Monitored, bid, researched, and executed cost-savings measures for various printed projects through vendors for printing processes, materials, and projects.
- Managed brand identity, including logos, fonts, and colors on all printed materials.
Marketing, Design, and Web Coordinator
Ramshaw Real Estate
2002-2005
- Developed and designed web interfaces, graphics, layouts, brand identity, and logos for multiple new projects and replaced all existing collateral.
- Collaborated with project heads to determine client listing needs for company websites and printed materials.
- Bid, designed, and produced simple to complex booklets and printed materials.
- Designed templates and trained users for the development of future web pages and content.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, University of Illinois 2000
Professional Development
IT Leadership Workshop, 2022 (competitive nomination process)