PhD Graduate Student at University of Maryland, College Park

CURRICULUM VITAE

Heather N. Epkins

1. Personal Information

Heather N. Epkins, M.A.

Department of Communication

University of Maryland at College Park

Ph.D. student, 2008

Education

Ph.D., University of Maryland at College Park, projected May 2009 Research: Media and terrorism

M.A., Louisiana State University, 1998 Major: Mass communication GPA: 3.4/4.0

B.A., Virginia Tech, 1996 Major: Communications studies; Minor: Music; Special studies in Spanish GPA: 3.6/4.0 Outstanding Student Leadership Award 1996

Certificate, Leadership Institute School of Broadcasting, June 1999

Certificate, Capitol Net University Advanced Media Training, August 2004

Employment

Director of Public Affairs, Travel Industry Association, Washington DC. January, 2008 - Present.

Director of Communications, Discover America Partnership within the Travel Industry Association, Washington, DC. January, 2006 Ð January, 2008.

Director of Communications, Congressman George Radanovich, Federal Government Capitol Hill, Washington, DC. April, 2004 Ð September, 2005.

Instructor of COMM101:Fundamentals of Oral Communication, Department of English& Communication, Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold, MD. June, 2000- August, 2000.

Director of Partnership Marketing, MasterCard Destinations, Annapolis, MD. September, 2003 - April, 2004.

TV Producer/Project Manager, Landmarks Marketing Group, Annapolis, MD. August, 2000- September, 2003.

National Advertising Manager, Erickson Retirement Advertising and Public Relations Agency, Baltimore, MD. August, 1999 - August, 2000.

Public Relations Director, Deck America, Woodbridge, VA. November, 1998 - August, 1999.

Miss Maryland 1998, Miss America Organization, Hagerstown, MD. June, 1998 Ð June 1999. Reporter, Severna Park Voice, Severna Park, MD. June 1999 Ð June 2000.

TV News Reporter/Anchor, ÒLSU ReviewÓ, Baton Rouge, LA. August, 1996 - June 1997.

TV News Reporter, Christian Broadcasting Network, Christian World News, June, 1995 Ð August 1995.

TV News Reporter/Anchor, ÒVT NewsÓ, Blacksburg, VA. August, 1995 - June 1996.

News Director/DJ, WUVT Radio, Blacksburg, VA. August 1994 Ð June 1995.

Reporter, Collegiate Times, Blacksburg, VA. August 1993 Ð June 1996.

Administrative Assistant to Public Relations Director, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. August, 1993 Ð December, 1994.

Communications Director, Student Government Association, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. August, 1993 Ð May 1994.

Consulting

Public Speaking & Interview Consultant, Miss Maryland 1998, Edgewater, MD. July, 1999 Ð Present.

2. Research and Scholarly Activities

Thesis

Davis, H. N. (1998). And if morning never comes?: Rape victims media viewing patterns. Unpublished masterÕs thesis, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.

Grants & Fellowships

Epkins, H.N. (2008, April). Awarded one year, $5,000 fellowship through University of Maryland START Center (National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and the Reponses to Terrorism).

Davis, H.N. (1996, August). Awarded Manship School of Communication Fellowship at Louisiana State University (Full Scholarship).

Awards

Epkins, H.N. (2008, April). Awarded 1st place and $600 in Public Policy Division for research results presented during the annual Graduate Research Interaction Day at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Conference Presentations

Epkins, H.N. (2008, March). How National Security Reporters Make Meaning of Terrorism Information Disseminated by the U.S. Government: An Extension of Mass Communication and Terrorism Theory. Paper results presented for the Second Annual U.S. Department of Homeland Security Annual University Network Summit in Washington, DC.

Epkins, H. N. (2007, October). How Capitol Hill staffers make meaning of the Discover America Partnership campaign. Paper presented to the Public Relations Society of America Educators Academy, Philadelphia, PA.

3. Teaching

Specialized: Fundamentals of Oral Communication, COMM101 (approx. enroll = 20)

4. Service

Professional

Member, Public Relations Society of America, September, 2007 Ð present.

Professional Member, National Speakers Association, January, 2000 Ð present.

Member, Washington Women in Public Relations, January, 2005 Ð present.

Member, Phi Sigma Pi Honor Fraternity, March, 1994-present.

Volunteer

Member, DeanÕs Roundtable, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. September, 2000 Ð present.

Advisory Board Member, Capitol Hill Communications Association, Washington, DC. January, 2005 Ð present.

Founder and Mentor, Loving Instruction for Elementary Anti-Drug Abuse Program, Annapolis, MD. January 1992-present.

Co-planner and volunteer for Virginia Tech HokiesÕ Annapolis Chapter April 19, 2008 gala and bloodmobile commemorating the lives of 32 shooting victims at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007.

Emcee, Performer, Celebrity Spokesperson, Athletic Participant for various charities including MADD, American Lung Association, Toys for Tots, Operation Troop Support, People Against Child Abuse, United Cerebral Palsy, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Romanian Orphan Project.