Writing & editing
Writing samples
VCU students Mindy Priddy and Gwendolyn Verity stand in front of a NASA research aircraft at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport.
From surf, turf and sky, NASA and VCU’s Rice Rivers Center deliver immersive summer experience (feature writing)
In its inaugural session on the East Coast, the environmental research program taps VCU expertise and facilities to give 22 students from across the nation a hands-on role in high-level work. Story appeared on VCU News on June 29, 2023.
VCU Vaccine Corps member and student Marissa Mackiewicz administers a vaccine dose to Dr. Anthony Chandler, senior pastor of Cedar Street Baptist Church of God in Richmond, at the VCU Health Hub at 25th on Jan. 22, 2021.
Hundreds of students are volunteering and providing shots at vaccination events (news article)
With some VCU students already trained and others lined up for training, volunteers address the need for more COVID-19 vaccinators and take on roles that will serve them in their careers. Story appeared on VCU News on Feb. 8, 2021.
Sunita Dodani, MBBS, Ph.D., serves as Founding Director of the EVMS-Sentara Healthcare Analytics and Delivery Science Institute.
Polio, family support shape success of physician-researcher (feature writing)
Sunita Dodani was diagnosed with polio at age 2. Now, she leads research efforts to improve community health outcomes and, through her own nonprofit, treats pediatric polio patients in her native Pakistan. Story appeared in EVMS Magazine on May 17, 2019.
These flutes, which were made from waterfowl bones, belonged to the Natufians, who lived between 13000 B.C. and 9700 B.C. and were among the last hunter-gatherers in the Near East region.
VCU forensic science professor, team discover 12,000-year-old flutes made from bird bones (news release)
Found in northern Israel, they are the first prehistoric sound instruments identified from the Near East – and the oldest imitating a bird call from any ancient civilization. News release appeared on VCU News on June 9, 2023.
Eleanor Love, a fourth-year medical student in VCU's School of Medicine, founded The Simple Sunflower, a service that regifts flowers from weddings and events to patients at VCU Medical Center, in 2019.
Graduating medical student Eleanor Love turns something old into something new (feature writing)
The VCU School of Medicine student created and leads The Simple Sunflower, which delivers refreshed wedding bouquets to hospital patients. Story appeared on VCU News on March 17, 2021.
Artist Big Baby D.R.A.M. performs "D.R.A.M. Sings Special," off Chance the Rapper's "Coloring Book," in Richmond on Oct. 7, 2016.
Singer, rapper Big Baby D.R.A.M. of Hampton proud to represent the 757 (feature writing)
When Big Baby D.R.A.M.’s “Broccoli” hit the charts in 2016, I pitched and wrote a profile on the Hampton native’s success and how he has been inspired by other Hampton Roads artists. Story appeared on the front page of Daily Press’ Good Life on Oct. 22, 2016.
VCU is a premier urban public university top-ranked for diversity, innovation, research and academic programs. This series tells the story of what sets VCU apart from the rest.
Series: 5 ways VCU is uncommon (integrated marketing and communications project)
Take a deep dive into five ways that VCU is uncommon to acquaint prospective students and parents with VCU the place and VCU the community. These are the facets that make VCU a place to study, live and work unlike any other. Series appeared on VCU News on March 17, 2023.
Miss America Camille Schrier, a VCU doctor of pharmacy student, presents her “Mind Your Meds: Drug Safety and Abuse Prevention from Pediatrics to Geriatrics” at the Jonah L. Larrick Student Center on Jan. 15, 2019.
Miss America Camille Schrier: ‘Take your time’ when it comes to understanding medications and keeping them safe (event coverage)
The School of Pharmacy student spoke to her peers at VCU about her national ‘Mind Your Meds’ social impact initiative and the lessons she has learned so far. Story appeared on VCU News on Jan. 17, 2020.
Chef Meghan Gill was an executive chef in Roanoke before she won season 14 “Hell’s Kitchen” on FOX..
Roanoke chef Meghan Gill in charge on 'Hell's Kitchen' (feature writing)
Meghan Gill overcame many challenges to become the eventual “Hell’s Kitchen” champion. I caught up with her to talk about facing her fears and showing off her skills as a leader. Story appeared on the front page of The Roanoke Times features section on April 21, 2015.
Making headlines
In 2015, I won 2nd Place for Large Newspapers in the Virginia Press Association Headline Writing competition. These were my five award-winning submissions.
