Education

North Carolina State University — 2003 – May 2012 | PhD in Public Administration Part-time studies and relevant coursework include organizational theory and statistics with some focus on mass communication and public administration. Qualitative dissertation looking at the relationship between agenda-setting effects between local media and local governments including in-depth data gathering/analysis of local government budgets and local media content analysis. Completed August 2012.

Papers presented or scheduled for presentation at the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Southeast Colloquium, Western Political Science Association, College Media Association and Midwest Political Science Association
Research in mass media agenda setting for dissertation.
Other substantive research in agenda setting, the PATRIOT Act and Freedom of Information Act

Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs — 1996-1997 | Master of Public Administration, June 1997 Relevant coursework and projects:

Team paper/presentation on Americans with Disabilities Act
Governmental law, budgeting and finance
In-depth policy analysis of education reform
Multiple papers/presentations on organizational theory for the 21st century
Casework in public administration law, science/innovation management and economics

The University of Texas at Austin — 1983-1989 | Bachelor of Journalism, May 1989 Bachelor of Arts, Major in Biology/Chemistry, May 1988 Relevant coursework, projects, honors

Media relations, media law, covering governments, science reporting
Peer leadership/development
Friar Society (honor society)
Students’ Association, director of News and Information
Texas Student Publications, president of the Board of Directors

Westlake High School (Austin, Texas) — 1979-1983