Welcome to My Portfolio
Here is a small selection of my work from my studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I recently graduated with a BA in Communication Science & Rhetorical Studies with certificates in Classical and Digital Studies.
I have chosen a few assignments that demonstrate my skills and abilities across my course work.
About Me
Growing up, I always knew I was different, meaning that my values were different that was being perpetuated in my community. My interests range from classics (empirical Rome, Latin, mythology) to sports and music which was different than those around me. When I was young I wanted to be an archeologist, but when I learned how much schooling that would require... I quickly changed my interests. One thing that never changed was my booming outgoing personality. Being the voice of others who feared to speak was something that I learned to do at a very young age. I've always immersed myself in my education, I knew that it was a way "out" for me. I am wanting to break the cycle of the feeling of being stuck in Milwaukee, and by obtaining my degree, I am doing just that.
Ultimately, I would like to have a career in media whether it is more content management or media planning. I love the importance of communication and I am passionate about articulating the ideas of mine and others.
Resume
References Available Upon Request!
Education
University of Wisconsin-Madison (Sept 2015-May 2020) | Bachelor of the Arts in Communication Science and Rhetorical Studies with Certificates in Classical and Digital Studies
Skills
Written & Verbal Communication | Problem Solving | Ability to Work in/with Team | Strong Work Ethic | Flexibility/Adaptability | Leadership | Interpersonal Skills | Friendly/Outgoing | Organized | Creative
Tools
Microsoft Office | Adobe Creative Suite | Google Drive | Audacity/Garageband | Social Media (e.g. Twitter, Instagram) | HTML/CSS Programming | Wordpress/Wix | Hootsuite | Canva
Experience
University of Wisconsin Athletic Ticket Office - (August 2018-May 2020)
Student Sales Representative
Organizing and preparing money batches, and printing equipment to ensure smooth operations for 100+ patrons
Resolve patron issues such as ticket problems or even concerns by asking questions to give quality solutions
Aiding managers, interns and other representatives with projects
Ensure that guests and students enjoy time at events offered by Athletic Ticket Office
Forever 21 - (August 2017-January 2018)
Store Associate
Ensure great customer service by assisting in location, availability and selection of merchandise
Promote current sales and promotions to customers, including pricing of merchandise
Complete sales transactions and maintain proper accountability at registers
Process merchandise returns and exchanges courteously and under company guidelines
Maintain store selling floor, fitting rooms, visual displays, presentation and conditions
Media Projects
These are a few selections from my Introduction to Digital Media Production course. This course introduced me to the converging fields of video and web-based media production. I explored the aesthetic, ethical, and design issues in the media as well as acquire a basic technical education in the tools used to create digital media.
Important skills learned in this production course: web design and programming, high-definition photography, high-definition video shooting/editing, digital audio production, and linear and non-linear storytelling.
Can also provide a zip file for a website I created for the course - contact me for those files!
TV Poster Project
This assignment asked for students to create a TV poster to use in the scenario of you were meeting with executives to pitch an idea. The poster had to convey a genre and format of a show, give a sense to storylines that may develop, present a title, and using an image extracted/taken by the student while using photoshop.
Camera & Framing Project (cont)
The photo below is of my lab partner Gabby. Using the GH5, I created a medium shot, portrait of Gabby. This photo is an example of:
focal point
perspective
balance
contrast
movement
Writing Sample #1
Short Writing about Livy for course that explores Rome: The Changing Shape of the Eternal City
When comparing the two photos, there are distinct similarities and differences of the portrayal of the Rape of Lucretia. There are a few symbols that are demonstrated in both images. For example, both images display a knife which is essential to the story of Lucretia. Although both images are set during different points of the story, the knife is an essential element in the different perspectives that are offered in both images. Another small, minute detail of both images, is the presentation of jewelry on the body of Lucretia. In Cranach’s rendition, since the body is entirely nude, her hair and necklace stand out in addition to the knife. In Titian’s image, Lucretia’s body is partially covered with sheets, however, she is mostly nude, aside from bracelets on both wrists. The display of jewelry could be referring to her wealth or this could be an example of her simplicity and modesty in which would be shown in a chaste woman. In addition to the knife and jewelry, another symbol is the staging of Lucretia’s physical body in both images. Whether it be the different painting styles or the way that the portraits are composed, Lucretia’s body, more specifically her skin, is porcelain-like and it accentuates the purity of the body that she is trying to protect.
Some differences that the two images possess, Cranach only captures Lucretia and makes her the main focal point of the painting in comparison to Titian’s image where Tarquin is also present. Cranach’s image is also very simple and minimalistic compared to the great detail that Titian went into. Titian’s painting has many different elements that such as movement that is created by Tarquin and his holding of the knife as well as Lucretia protecting herself by throwing her hand in the air and holding off Tarquin. Also, in the foreground of the painting, there is a hand that is holding the curtain and you get a quick glimpse of another person who bears witness to the vile act.
Based on the two images, I believe that both renditions are of iconic images. By reason of the definition of an iconic image, the significance of the knife and Lucretia is being produced by two different artists but repeating the same or similar images. Many would think that since Titian’s interpretation of the Rape of Lucretia includes Tarquin, it would be allegorical, however, since the image is fixed and captures the actual rape of Lucretia, it is not telling a series of stories by connected images.
Compared to Livy’s text, there are definite themes that are captured by the different images. In Cranach’s image, Lucretia is being portrayed in a manner that is displaying fortitudo and fides. These two Roman virtues are shown with Lucretia in this image by having the strength to want to protect her husband’s name and honor even though she is in a dangerous situation with her life being threatened, ultimately leading to her suicide. Although the virtues are viewed for men, strength is not necessarily only confined to physical strength, mental strength can also be argued as a virtuous quality of people during this time and not just by men. Same as in Titian’s image, fortitudo is also on display by Lucretia, by her physically having to fight off Tarquin. Pietas erga deos patriam parentes ceteros is also seen because of the duties that goes along with being a wife and the ability to protect the home when the husband is not. Both images are meant to convey Livy’s moral lesson of clemency and the importance of women wanting to be less tempting and seen as vices. Lucretia says,” as for me I am innocent of fault, but I will take my punishment. Never shall Lucretia provide a precedent for unchaste women to escape what they deserve,” which successfully demonstrates all three virtues that were previously mentioned.
Writing Sample #2
Advocacy Speech for a course that dealt with Communication & Human Behavior
When you think of homelessness, you think of that one person on the street begging for spare change or someone on the side of the road holding a sign pleading for help. The homeless inhabit the streets seeking shelter for many reasons ranging from the increase of the price of living to veterans not having the proper resources after returning from fighting for our country. For example, Gavin is a 47-year-old Navy veteran living in Madison who has dealt with stress disorders and alcoholism. Organizations such as Porchlight gives Gavin steady health care to engage in his treatment, get diagnosed with PTSD, and finally seek the help he desperately needs. But for many that’s not what their homelessness looks like. Homelessness has two main sources: first, housing in big cities is expensive, and getting more so, and secondly, homeless people move to other locations — perhaps to take advantage of local services like shelters and addiction clinics, in the hope of getting a job or to be close to family (Smith). The stigma surrounding homelessness does not address the epidemic that is taking over the nation, but why do so many struggle with this when living in such a developed country?
As one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the United States holds the second and third spots for the highest amounts of homeless citizens. Los Angeles being first and New York City following (Holland). Nationally, homelessness has decreased as a whole because of projects that have been initiated by previous presidents. In the mid-2000s, President George W. Bush’s “housing first” program made substantial inroads against the problem. President Barack Obama continued the campaign with the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program in 2009 and a follow-up program in 2010 (Smith). Both programs sought out ending homelessness by offering low-income housing to disabled and vulnerable homeless members of the community without accepting any preconditions. However, homelessness is also increasing in our own backyard.
The New York Times reports that street homelessness in Madison has increased more than 40 percent in the last four years, according to an annual count of the homeless each January (Bosman). The main campus for homelessness in Madison is state street. At the heart of campus, students, faculty, and tourists are constantly badgered to lend a helping hand for those who are in need. I know as a student on campus, I feel guilty when I have to pass by because I don’t have anything extra that I can pass along. Organizations such as Porchlight help prevent homelessness and provides shelter to those who are struggling with finding consistent shelter. One of many homeless shelters in Madison, Porchlight is housed on the corner of Brooks and Johnson which is surrounded by many apartment complexes that houses students and across the street from the Business School. Porchlight provides temporary emergency shelter to single men at its Drop-In Shelter and two overflow shelters. Guests receive two hot meals per day, personal hygiene supplies, access to laundry facilities, and case management services. In addition to providing shelter, it also includes an eviction prevention program, DIGS (Dwelling Intervention Grants & Sustenance) that provides assistance designed to prevent homelessness in the wake of a short-term financial emergency for a household.
Funding for the organization would directly affect those who are in need. Items such as cleaning supplies, household items, and hygiene supplies would be distributed to the population of those who seeks their services. Additional funds would guarantee the safety and security of those who rely on Porchlight. More locations would be open, and services would be offered to more who seek shelter which would ultimately decrease homelessness in Madison. Ultimately services such as DIGS would be able to reach more people within the community by providing stable housing.
The epidemic of homelessness should be eradicated because of the wealth that this country possesses. Veterans should not be searching for services after they have sacrificed their lives for this country. The least that can be done is offering low-cost housing and offering different services so that they don’t need to struggle. Families and individuals who suffer from homelessness deserve the help of services and seek the feeling of not feeling like a burden on others around them. They would like to possess the same things that other Americans or even other humans have. Peace of mind and worrying about shelter, shouldn’t ever be a thing that a human has to stress about especially when living in the ‘greatest country on Earth’.
Camera and Framing Project
This assignment asked for students to shoot digital photographs using a GH5 camera that introduced the class to our lab partners. The shots included a variety of shots that exemplified good composition which was discussed in the lecture associated with the course.
The photo below is of my lab partner Gabby. Using the GH5, I created a long shot, portrait of Gabby. This photo is an example of:
focal point
perspective
balance
contrast
The following PDF is an example of a Content/Media Planning Project that I completed (with a partner) for a Social Media for the Life Sciences course.
The project included interacting with an actual startup company that struggles with their brand awareness and social media.
I and another person thoroughly went through the company's social media presence which included webpages, Twitter/Instagram/Pinterest accounts as well as LinkedIn profiles.
From there, we determined how the company should move forward with increasing their brand awareness and which social media platforms should be given the most attention and effort.