Education
American University
July 2021 -- July 2022
Masters of Arts in Journalism through the School of Communication Journalism and Public Affairs program, with a specialty in International Reporting
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Learned to execute international investigations, data-driven stories and policy news
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Further developed multimedia reporting skills
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Pitched and launched a weekly news podcast to go with community news reporting on The Wash
Western Kentucky University
Aug. 2016 -- May 2020
Bachelors of Arts in Journalism and Arabic double major
Political Science minor
Acceptance and completion of degree in the Mahurin Honors College
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Courses on news writing, investigative reporting, media literacy, multimedia production, international affairs, Islam, Middle Eastern politics, Arabic language and culture.
Danish School of Media and Journalism
Jan. 2018 -- June 2018
Multimedia and World Politics International Program
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Courses on risk reporting, reporting on the European Union, incorporating multimedia elements, news writing, investigative and foreign correspondent reporting and world politics lectures.
Work Experience
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Covered energy and environmental policy from a federal, state and local level
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Met tight deadlines for several daily publications
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Pitched and executed daily and long-term stories
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Developed and maintained source relationships
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Covered policy areas on the Hill through bill tracking, hearings and discussions with lawmakers
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Produced about 5-7 stories a week
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Assisted with Power Switch, the daily, public newsletter that showcases POLITICO Energy and E&E News content
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Internship extended from six months to a year
Skills
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Congressional and White House correspondence
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Data-driven journalism
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Experience in international investigative reporting
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Writing in AP Style for breaking news, community news and investigations
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Intermediate experience in R, SQL and Excel for data analysis
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Incorporating FOIA requests and records into reporting
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Training on Datawrapper and Knightlab tools for data visualization
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Poynter ACES Certificate in Editing
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Podcast development and editing
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Understanding and proficiency in Adobe tools
Languages
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Intermediate-level Arabic writing, speaking and reading ability
Awards
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Selected for the competitive POLITICO Journalism Institute for the 2020 cohort.
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2019 Multimedia Story of the Year Award - Fourth Place. ACP Pacemakers.
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2019 Kentucky Press Association:
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Third place for Best Investigative Story and Enterprise or Analytical Story.
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Led a news team for coverage which placed first for Best On-Going/Extended Coverage
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Led a news team for two stories which placed first and third for Best Breaking News Coverage
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Second place for Best Graphic
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Reported on federal politics and policies for a North Texas audience
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Covered historical moments like the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the speaker of the House election, the State of the Union and the reversal of Roe v. Wade.
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Learned to navigate Capitol Hill and conduct formal and informal interviews with lawmakers.
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Pitched and executed my own analysis-based stories
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Produced daily stories while working on long-term projects
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Found and cultivated sources in various subjects
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Produced data visualizations for the bureau when applicable
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The internship was extended past the original 10 weeks
Read all my work from The Dallas Morning News
American University - Washington Post Practicum
Jan. 2022 - June 2022
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Assisted national politics desk editors and reporters with investigative research
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Maintained a database tracking Jan. 6 Capitol attack arrests and sentencing
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Produced thorough, accurate research on "big lie" candidates in the 2022 midterms under deadline
Aug. 2020
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Selected for a competitive spot in the 2020 cohort.
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Received feedback on story pitches from POLITICO editors and American University faculty
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Learned skills on developing sources and reporting on politics and policy from D.C. journalists and editors
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Program was moved online due to COVID
Lexington Herald-Leader -- Intern
May - Aug. 2019
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Balanced daily breaking news stories with long-term investigations
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Covered courts beat and used court records for sourcing
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Filled in as the morning shift, breaking news reporter
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Created data visualizations, photos and videos to enhance stories
College Heights Herald -- Editor in chief
Dec. 2019 -- May 2020
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Led an editorial board and newsroom to maintain a daily digital presence and publish a weekly print product
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Established a new workflow and structure during COVID-19 pandemic
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Maintained a team to remotely produce constant coverage, daily newsletters and a final print product during quarantine
College Heights Herald -- Digital managing editor
May 2019 -- Dec. 2019
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Managed wkuherald.com on a daily basis
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Helped edit and produce roughly ten stories a day
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Produced and pitched content for the website and social media
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Launched a weekly lifestyle newsletter
College Heights Herald -- News editor
May 2018 -- May 2019
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Created and organized weekly print and daily digital stories for the Herald news staff
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Pitched, assigned and edited stories for the news section, typically 20+ a week
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Led multiple full-staff breaking news events and investigations
'Top of the Week' podcast -- Host and producer
October 2018 -- December 2019
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Co-founded and hosted the "Top of the Week" podcast, a weekly collaboration between two WKU student media organizations, the College Heights Herald and Revolution 91.7.
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Reported top stories from the week with a co-host.
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Interviewed sources and reporters in a podcast format
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Produced scripts and edited audio for the weekly episodes
July -- Aug. 2018
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Pitched and produced articles covering daily city news and long-term investigations
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Managed and produced the first podcast for the news organization