sheshe giddens PORTFOLIO resume
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Sheshe Giddens
832-244-3970
shaykika@yahoo.com

SKILLS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Project Management

Developed a centralized stock photography database on Intranet at The Methodist Hospital.

Accomplishments as managing editor of major publications at University of Houston-Clear Lake:

• Reduced Egret magazine and Egret online production cost by more than $5,000.
• Led publications team to garner prestigious recognitions. Egret magazine and the president’s annual report, Report to the Community, received their only Grand/Gold awards from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. The annual report also received its only Excellent Award from the University & College Designers Association.
• Implemented more efficient practices such as launching a universitywide casting call for students to participate in photography and video projects. Also developed a database to track participants.

Leadership

• Currently serve on the Fibromyalgia Association of Houston board of directors as vice president – patient education.
• Provided direction for publications team as well as supervise contract graphic designer and photographer, part-time graphic artist and communications interns at UH-Clear Lake.
• Served as the 2004-05 president of the Professional and Administrative Staff Association at UH-Clear Lake, which requires developing and managing budget for the organization.
• Served as a voting member on University Council, an organization that makes policy recommendations to the UH-Clear Lake president.
• Served as the vice president – public relations for Clear Lake Communicators Club, Toastmasters International.
• Supervised contract employees at Brown & Root Services.
• Served as evening team leader for the collections department at Time Warner Communications.

Technology

• Operating Systems –Macintosh OS, Windows and Palm OS
• Software –Adobe (Acrobat, FrameMaker, Illustrator, PageMaker, Photoshop and Type Manager), Macromedia (Dreamweaver and FreeHand), Microsoft (Access, Excel, FrontPage, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher and Word) and QuarkXPress
• Web –HTML

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

July 2005 – Present, The Methodist Hospital System, Houston, Texas
Publications Coordinator – Manage, edit, design and/or coordinate production of various hospital publications including Journal of the Methodist DeBakey Heart Center and Leading Medicine, International Edition as well as brochures, ads and other printed pieces. Other responsibilities include writing, copyediting, art directing, graphic design, and designing, maintaining and providing content for several Web sites.

September 2001 – July 2005, University of Houston-Clear Lake, Houston, Texas
Senior Coordinator of Publications and Technology – Continue to serve as managing editor for the university’s major print and online publications, including Egret magazine and president’s annual report as well as other duties performed as publications coordinator. New responsibilities include working with University Computing and Telecommunications to develop the Web presence for the Office of the President component.

 Publications Coordinator – Served as managing editor for the university’s major publications, including Egret magazine and president’s annual report. Responsibilities included editing and approving publications and institutional advertising, educating and monitoring the university community on compliance with UH-Clear Lake’s visual identity, writing, copyediting, art directing, graphic design, as well as designing and maintaining and providing content for several Web sites. Provided editorial and production direction as well as supervise contract graphic designer and photographer, a part-time graphic designer and communications interns. Accomplishments included implementing changes to the magazine evaluation process to include an advisory board questionnaire, readership survey and professional critiques; redesigning Egret online to complement the design of the printed version of the magazine; and redesigning Egret magazine for fall 2004 to coincide with the magazine’s 10th anniversary and the university’s 30th anniversary using cost savings from production. Conducted workshops to educate staff on writing and producing publications.

June – August 2001, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
Interim Editor – Edited and wrote articles, developed story budgets, assigned stories and produced print and online versions of UH Campus News and UH System News.

January – June 2001, Brown & Root Services, Houston, Texas, and Arlington, Va.
Coordinator: PublicationsConsultant – Traveled to new business acquisition offices in Arlington, Va., to train new coordinators in FrameMaker and publication/proposal documentation process. Also, developed page layouts for proposals and designed presentations, provided quality control/quality assurance and prepared proposals for print and electronic distribution while working at both the Arlington, Va., and Houston, Texas, offices.

September 2000 – August 2001, Aquent Partners, Houston, Texas
Creative Services Professional – Provided writing, copyediting, graphics, print production and presentation services to various clients, including ad agencies. Also created interactive manuals for CD distribution and FrameMaker modules for a catalog.

December 1999 – September 2000, Brown & Root Services, Houston, Texas
Coordinator: Publications – Developed page layouts, styles and templates for proposals; designed presentations; examined final product for compliance with RFP; prepared documents for print production and electronic distribution; produced graphics; and supervised temporary/contract employees.

September 1997 – December 1999,Aquent Partners, Houston, Texas
Creative Services Professional – Provided writing, desktop publishing, graphics and presentation services to various clients, including University of Houston, AIM Investment Services and Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company.

September 1996 – September 1997, Time Warner Communications, Houston, Texas
Customer Service Professional – Provided customer support and served as the evening collections team leader. Also researched billing issues.

June 1995 – April 1996 , Houston Sun Newspaper, Houston, Texas
Production Journalist – Served as assistant editor, editorial office manager, news and features writer and production coordinator for The Houston Sun and The Austin Sun community newspapers. Other duties included developing story budgets, designing ads and serving as community liaison and publicist for special events and projects.

FREELANCE CLIENTS

Reality Check Productions, Houston, Texas
Provide media relations consultation and graphic design services for a gospel artist. Current projects include creation of media kits, posters, flyers for upcoming concerts and distribution and design of single and CD covers for mass distribution and sale.

Riverstone Driving Academy, Houston, Texas
Designed company logo and marketing materials.

delirium Entertainment, Austin, Texas
Developed content and design Web site for upcoming play. Designed delirium logo.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• Clear Lake Communicators Club, Toastmasters International
• Council for Advancement and Support of Education
• University & College Designers Association

VOLUNTEER

Fibromyalgia Association of Houston, Houston, Texas
Vice President of Patient Education – Serve on the board of directors for a nonprofit organization. Primary duties include marketing, graphic design, Web site design and producing and managing FMAH’s publications including The Fibromyalgia Connection quarterly newsletter .

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

• Stepping Up to Supervisor, fall 2004 class — an eight-module training program designed to enhance the skills of emerging or newly emerged supervisors and managers.
• Participated in conferences, workshops and seminars on writing, editing, publications management, time management, Adobe Photoshop and InDesign, Web design and Microsoft Access
• Technical Communications/Desktop Publishing Certificate, Houston Community College, May 1999
• B.A., University of Texas at Austin, Double Major: English and Ethnic Studies, May 1995