SERENA WHITECOTTON

EDUCATION
California State University, Fullerton Bachelor of Arts, Communications Print Journalism Emphasis, Spanish Minor Institute on Political Journalism Georgetown University, The Fund for American Studies

slwhitecotton@gmail.com

Graduation: May 2011 Grade Point Average: 3.45 Graduation: August 2009

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Molina Healthcare, Inc. Public Relations Intern Writes and creates press releases Plans and publishes company news stories Assists specialists with research and interviews Researches information about health-related issues Ghost writes health columns and talking points Interprets PSAs from Spanish to English Tusk Magazine Copy Editor Edited stories and checked for AP style and grammar Assisted Editor-in-Chief with contacting writers and sources Supervised three copy editors Created appropriate headlines and decks for stories Daily Titan Staff Writer, Assistant Opinion Editor Edited staff writers articles Designed the Opinion page layouts biweekly with Adobe InDesign Responsible for 40 articles in 15 weeks, including multimedia stories and photos Covered national politics at a local level Long Beach, California May 2011- Present

Fullerton, California January 2011 May 2011

Fullerton, California January 2010 - December 2010

KABC Web Operations Intern Cut video from daily newscasts with FinalCut Pro and posted to website Responsible for posting the morning, afternoon and evening weather cast and webcast Published photo slideshows to supplement web content Edited AP stories and posted to the website using ContentEditor software Telemundo Network Bureau Chief Intern Shadowed reporter and videographer Logged, transcribed and recorded video Covered Justice Sonia Sotomayors confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court and the Holocaust Museum Shooting Interviewed House Representatives, Senators and non-profit coordinators Organized interviews for supervisor with members of Congress

Glendale, California June 2010-August 2010

Washington, D.C. June 2009-August 2009

SERENA WHITECOTTON
WORK EXPERIENCE
Dean of Students, CSU Fullerton Titan Ambassador Lead prospective students on tours Responsible for complete knowledge of student life and campus academics Ran student panels and information sessions Volunteered for campus-sponsored projects Housing and Residence Life, CSU Fullerton Resident Adviser (R.A.) Responsible for 40 to 48 students Planned over 24 programs and events for students Lead a staff of 21 as a second-year R.A. Held interviews with supervisors for new staff members Supervised and executed write-ups and documentations Worked in busy housing office as an administrative assistant

slwhitecotton@gmail.com

Fullerton, California May 2010 May 2011

Fullerton, California May 2008 May 2010

Titan Shops, CSU Fullerton Cashier Worked at the universitys student store Handled cash, checks and credit/debit card purchases Served thousands of students during the first two weeks of class, also known as rush week

Fullerton, California December 2007 May 2008

SKILLS

Seven years of Spanish; fluent in reading, writing and comprehension Apple/Mac and PC computer platforms Experience using social media such as Facebook and Twitter Familiar with multiple web publishing platforms: Content Editor, WordPress , Tumblr, Blogspot Proficient in: Microsoft Office, Final Cut Pro, Adobe PhotoShop, Adobe InDesign

HONORS
Alumni member of CSU Fullertons National Residence Hall Honorary chapter, Chi Psi Phi Secretary during the 2009 2010 academic year General member from 2008 to 2011 Member of the Society of Professional Journalists Alumni member of the National Society for Collegiate Scholars University honors program student from 2007 to 2010 Resident of the Year, 2007 Awarded Presidents Medal for 100 hours of community service from 2003 to 2007