Tara Koosak

Curriculum Vitae

Department of Communications

471 University Parkway

University of South Carolina Aiken

Aiken, SC 29801

Office: 803-641-3530

tarak@usca.edu

Education

M.S., Speech Communication, August 2006

Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois

B.S., Journalism, May 2002

Murray State University, Murray, Kentucky

Academic Employment

Instructor, Department of Communications, August 2006 - Present

University of South Carolina, Aiken, South Carolina

Teaching Assignments: 

ACOM 201 Interpersonal Communication
ACOM 241 Public Speaking

ACOM 450 Intercultural Communication

ACOM 491 Family Communication

Organize Brown Bag Lunches on Teaching Enhancement

Represent the Communications Department at Freshmen Fridays

Lecturer, School of Social Science and Humanities, March 2003 - March 2004

Yonok University, Lampang, Thailand

Teaching Assignments:

COMM 101 Introduction to Communication

COMM 103 Introduction to Journalism

COMM 202 Introduction to News Writing and Reporting

ENGL 101 English I

ENGL 102 English II

ENGL 501 Business Writing and Reports

Provided off-campus English lessons for high school teachers and students

Directed and produced on-campus television news

Wrote the American-Thai Foundation for Education (ATFE) publication, newsletters, and

the BBA advertising brochure

Coordinated the annual Christmas show, 4th of July celebration, Yonok Sport Day, and

community service events

Organized special benefit events for the underprivileged citizens of Thailand

Other Relevant Employment History

Graduate Assistant, SIU Alumni Association, August 2004 - May 2005

Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois

Assisted in the coordination of public relation programs for the university

Publicized and promoted alumni membership drives, community relation events, fundraising

activities, and Alumni Council meetings

News Intern, June - August 2001

WJLA-TV, ABC Affiliate, Washington, D.C.

Researched and wrote for broadcasted news features

Interviewed various guests for on-air pieces

Performed assignment desk duties

Reporter, Kid Zone Television Show, June 1994 - August 1995

KBSI-TV, FOX Affiliate, Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Reported regional news stories for a weekly television program

Author/Illustrator, Mom’s Got Style, November 1992 - June 1993

Venture Department Stores, Inc., St. Louis, Missouri

Was commissioned to create a cartoon booklet

Autographed books for Mother’s Day promotions at stores in Chicago, St. Louis, and

Cape Girardeau

Appeared in regional newspaper advertisement inserts, store circulars, and posters

Professional Memberships

Member, Southern States Communication Association, 2007 - Present

Member, Fund for American Studies Alumni Association, 2001 - Present

Member, Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, 2000 - Present

Member, National Press Club, 2001

Member, National Broadcasting Society, 1999 - 2002

Achievements

“An Exploration of Identity Negotiation within Intercultural Relationships,” paper accepted for presentation at the Southern States Communication Association 77^th Annual Convention in Louisville, Kentucky

Fund for American Studies full scholarship award; competitively selected to attend the 2001 Institute of Political Journalism Program at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

“Enchantment on Ice,” poem was published in Nature’s Echoes book by The International Library of Poetry

Wrote and illustrated nationally distributed cartoon books, School-Biz Is and Boy Girl Daze Craze

Featured as a published author on the cover of McDonald’s Fun Times Magazine

Contributed articles for an educational newsletter, ART-I-FACTS

Appeared as a special guest on the following nationally syndicated television shows: To Tell The Truth, Phil Donahue Show, Puttin’ on the Kids, and What’s Hot! What’s Not?