Want to hand off that writing or editing project but need to make sure you're working with someone who understands higher education?
Are you looking for someone:
Familiar with the nuances of colleges and universities?
Experienced working with constituencies at all levels, from students, faculty, administrators, donors, and more?
Skilled at navigating the complexities inherent in a college environment while always meeting deadlines?
Too much to ask? Not at all.
I’ve worked both as a freelancer and a staff member in higher education. On the staff side, I served as editor of USF Magazine, the alumni publication for the University of San Francisco. In addition to managing all aspects of magazine production - from article and photo assignments to writing captions and final proofing - I also helped lead a complete redesign of the magazine. Before that, I handled all campus news articles as the online news editor.
Now I work with colleges and universities as their go-to freelancer. I’ve written campus news articles, donor profiles, magazine features, website and email copy, and more.
Need more technical-based writing and editing help? I’ve got you covered there, too. I have edited Institutional Self-Evaluation Reports required by ACCJC, working closely with faculty and staff accreditation liaison officers and writing teams. I’ve also written, edited, and project-managed a self-study needed for a voluntary accreditation (NASAD).
What does this all mean for you? It means you get an experienced freelance writer and editor who understands the intricacies of higher education.
Partial Client List
University of San Francisco
Numerous projects for multiple departments, including:
Office of Marketing Communications
School of Law
Sport Management program
College of Marin
Edited the college's Institutional Self-Evaluation Report (ISER), including editing for substantive changes, tone, voice, and grammar.
Samuel Merritt University
Interview students, faculty, and alumni for articles. Write feature-length articles for SMU Magazine.
West Valley College
Edited the college's ISER and midterm report. Previous assignments include rewriting sections of the college's website and writing campus news articles and press releases.
Articles
Feature Articles
Sacred Spaces, Healthy Places. SMU Magazine article highlighting the university's work with faith communities to improve health.
Someone Like Me. Article for SMU Magazine about work to diversify the nurse anesthetist field.
For these alums, it's personal. Article for USF Lawyer magazine about alumni efforts to address inequality and injustice.
Beyond the Music (p. 24). Article for USF Lawyer magazine about alumnus on the cutting edge of entertainment law.
Food as Justice. USF Magazine article focused on student efforts to tackle food insecurity.
IP Support Network. Article focusing on USF School of Law students' ability to file patent applications for clients.
News Articles (campus research, donor and alumni profiles, and more)
USF Grad Finds Hope in Frog Research
Sell food. Support farmers. Feed children. Repeat.
Bringing More Women to the Table
Students Deliver Food Justice in the City
SMU College of Podiatric Medicine Receives $1 Million Donation
California School of Podiatric Medicine Returns to its Roots
Articles Focused on Health Sciences
After His Mother Was Injured, Pablo Tavares Saw a Need for Better Physical Therapists
Health Disparities, a Two-Tiered System
Solving the Nurse Shortage and the Nurse Faculty Shortage
When Theresa Cordova Cares for Veterans, She’s Helping Heroes
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In addition to Samantha’s excellent editing skills, which are specific to what is required to generate a quality ISER, she was able to take an objective view of the document and confirm strengths and identify weaknesses. She provides honest, timely, and constructive feedback to ensure that the ISER is an accurate reflection of the institution.
―Cari Torres-Benavides, Asst. VP of Instruction, College of Marin
“
Samantha’s professionalism, willingness to get it right, commitment to excellence, thoughtful reflectiveness, and consistent sense of humor made it possible for us to not only complete the self-study but to complete it early. Her ability to translate fragmented ideas and evolving thoughts into a cohesive and interesting document is impressive. She always met her deadlines and I was never left emptyhanded when the due date arrived. This was a true partnership and we are better off for having gone through it with Samantha.
— Andrew Chandler, Dean (retired), Cilker School of Art and Design at West Valley College