Niki Bliss-Carroll

704.300.6340  nikiblisscarroll@gmail.com • LinkedIn: Niki Bliss-Carroll • Writing/Video Samples: http://www.educate-inspire.weebly.com

Communications/Public Relations/English Instructor, Director, Writer, & Editor

 More than 20 years of teaching, writing, communications, and editing experience in journalism (broadcast, print, digital),
public relations, internal and external corporate communications and publications including significant experience in higher
education content generation and communication strategy.
 Higher education teaching experience in classroom and lab settings and through one-on-one internship training in English,
communications, writing, editing, public relations, crisis communications, and other specialized fields.
 Expertise in conceptual content development for a range of digital and print communications pieces including public
relations collateral materials (magazines, online news platforms, web site, etc.). Ability to identify, develop and track
engaging feature stories highlighting students, alums, faculty/staff, stakeholders, programs, events, and institutional
ideologies.

EDUCATION

GARDNER-WEBB UNIVERSITY – Boiling Springs, N.C.

Master of Arts in English, 2016 l GPA 3.9/4.0
Writing Studies/Professional Writing Concentration
Thesis—“The Nature, Function, and Value of Emojis as Contemporary Tools of Digital Interpersonal Communication”
(No. 1 Most-Downloaded Master’s Thesis on ProQuest Database in March 2017)
EASTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY – Portales, N.M.
Bachelor of Science, 1996 l GPA 3.75/4.0
Major: Communications l Minor: Journalism l Graduated Magna Cum Laude

PROFICIENCY & SKILLS

 Writing/Composition Strategies & Content
Materials
 Institutional Writing & Communications
 Creative Team Leadership, Supervision of Interns
and Volunteers
 Product Positioning & Branding
 Event Planning & Execution
 Web, Print, & Digital Content Development
 TV News Writing, Reporting, Production, &
Management
 Public Speaking/Presentations to community
groups (Kiwanis, Rotary, etc.)
 Instructor of PR Techniques & Writing
 Leadership Cleveland County Program Director
 Development of Training Materials (interns,
volunteers, etc.)
 Event-specific Collateral Materials & Support
 Public/Media Relations Expertise
 Experience in Visual Rhetoric/Graphic
Design/Publication Layout/Art Direction
 TV/Radio Broadcast and AP & MLA Writing
Styles
 JobReady Partnership/Workforce
Development Staff Liaison
 United Way Fundraising Campaign Co-Chair
 Service on various University committees
including the Committee for Harassment and
Sexual Misconduct and the GWU Staff Council

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
CLEVELAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE—SHELBY, N.C.
Public Institution of Higher Education Serving Thousands of Students in Cleveland County and Surrounding Communities
English Instructor – Full-Time Faculty Member August 2018 through Present
 Taught English Writing/Composition courses in three delivery formats—face-to-face instruction, hybrid, and online delivery
modalities.
 Students learned fundamentals of research and composition through developing digital blog posts and traditional written
essays.
 Trained students how to generate research and assemble documents including annotated bibliographies, issue reports,
interview profiles, argument papers, and works cited pages.

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  Emphasized importance of tailoring specific writing projects to target audiences while using the correct voice/perspective.
 Overall goal was for students to learn the basics of research and composition for a range of applications; to learn the basics of
persuasive writing; to tailor messages to target audiences; to demonstrate basic skills in drafting, prewriting, polishing, and
finalizing writing.

GARDNER-WEBB UNIVERSITY– Boiling Springs, N.C.

Not-for-Profit Division I Institution of Higher Education Serving Nearly 5,000 Students from 45 States and 29 Foreign Countries
Assistant Director for University Communications & Media Relations July 2012 through August 2018
 Develop, produce and manage a broad range of content for university publications (digital and print), events, programs,
announcements, and awards.
 Generate and edit print, digital, and video news releases and feature stories, radio interviews, crisis communication
coordination, and website content (both general institutional content and program-specific information).
 Serve as associate editor and staff writer for the award-winning bi-annual publication Gardner-Webb The Magazine.
 Assist associate vice president in establishing division goals and objectives for the University’s Division of Enrollment
Management-Communications and Marketing Department.
 Work closely with creative services director for editing and content needs relating to university marketing/creative materials.
 Produce and distribute weekly and monthly news e-publications.
 Utilize online content tracking systems to monitor audience engagement.
 Assist with updates to university’s main social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Google+, WordPress
blogs).
 Generate feature story ideas and content for print and digital publications; connect with alumni, students, faculty, staff, and
other notable individuals to advance the mission and vision of Gardner-Webb through feature story ideas.
 Various additional roles and responsibilities as needed.
Selected Accomplishments:
- Associate editor and writer for three recent GWU magazines that won regional and national awards in 2014, 2015, and 2016 for
writing and overall publication excellence, including most recent print edition of magazine (Vol. 51, No. 2).
- Developed and taught Crisis Communications Simulation Unit for GWU Department of Communication and New Media (2015, 2016).
- Interviewed regional and national speakers and wrote and co-produced video news releases related to campus visits.

CLEVELAND COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP– Shelby, N.C.
Public/Private Non-Profit Organization Dedicated to Promoting Business and Economic Development
VP of Programs/ Communications October 2000 through November 2005
 Managed corporate communications and events; oversight of and assistance with major fundraisers for the Chamber: the
Business Showcase, the Tailgate & Tee, and the International Festival; managed volunteers and committees related to
Marketing and Communications needs; staff liaison for Leadership Cleveland County program.
 Oversight of development of new Chamber brand, including logo mark.
 Led efforts to develop and update new Chamber/Economic Development web site.
 Produced and served as on-air talent for Channel 33 and Channel 19 business shows.
 Produced monthly print and digital Chamber newsletter.
 Transitioned from print newsletter to digital production and distribution of newsletter.
 Directed brand management, PR, media relations, corporate positioning, and various product/service launches for Chamber
and member businesses.
 Coordinated press conferences and generated press kits for unveiling of new companies/economic development projects in
Cleveland County.
 Organized community fundraisers including the annual Business Showcase, the International Festival, and Tailgate & Tee,
among others. Project manager for the biennial production of the Cleveland County Quality of Life magazine and successfully
transferred production from an out-of-county printer to local designers and printers.
 Substantial work in areas of education through the planning and implementation of the annual Workforce Career Fair, the
JobReady Partnership, and the Vocational/Technical Scholarship program.

CLEVELAND HEADLINE NEWS/TV33 – Shelby, N.C.

Local television station providing news, sports, and weather headlines every 24 minutes.
Assistant News Director/Weekend Host/Anchor & Reporter October 1996 through June 2012
 Multi-media journalist with substantial ‘one-man-band’ reporting expertise.
 Generated stories from conception to completion.
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  Produced weekend shows, special interviews, and responsible for coverage of many community events, meetings, and
activities. Significant skills required in writing and storytelling amidst strict deadlines. Live remotes conducted for elections
and community events such as festivals and block parties.
 Covered a wide range of beats including education, crime & punishment, government, human services, business/economic
development, entertainment, sports, and more.
 Skilled in linear video editing, photography, videography, and online updates.
 Provided assistance to MediaAdventures marketing/ad agency for voiceovers and commercial talent.

GARDNER-WEBB UNIVERSITY—Boiling Springs, N.C.

Adjunct Instructor of Public Relations, Department of Communication Studies, January 2003 through May 2006
 Taught Public Relations Writing and Principles of Public Relations courses in the traditional undergraduate program.
 Students learned fundamentals of composition through developing features, news briefs, and general public relations writing.
 Trained students how to generate and assemble documents including press releases, fact sheets, backgrounders, television
and radio spots, and additional necessary items utilized in marketing, public relations and promotions.
 Emphasized importance of tailoring specific writing projects to target audiences.
 Overall goal was for students to learn the approach of public relations writing to internal and external audiences; to learn the
basics of persuasive writing; to tailor messages to target audiences; to gain an understanding of and demonstrate the basics of
speechwriting, press kit production, crisis communication techniques, and development of written materials relevant to the
public relations, communications, and marketing.

TECHNOLOGY/ACHIEVEMENTS
Software: PC and Mac programs including Microsoft Word; Microsoft Outlook, Publisher; Power Point, Excel,
Adobe Premiere Pro Video Editing, VidGrid, Zoom, and others.

Web/Multimedia: BlackBoard Learn – Learning Management System; WordPress and Weebly blog platforms; Social Media
(YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram); BitLinks/Bitly (Content Engagement Tracker);
Constant Contact; VoiceThread; SoundCloud; Kaltura; Linear and Digital Video Editing; GIMP design
software; Canva; Prezi; and more.

Involvement &
Achievements: Graduate of Leadership Cleveland County (2002) & Chamber Institute for Organizational Management
(Charleston, S.C. 2001); Minority Enterprise Development luncheon; KMHS Senior Project Mentor;
Mentor to At-Risk Kids through Youth Assistance Program/Department of Juvenile Justice; Parent Educator-
North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice.

PUBLICATIONS/WRITING

Bliss-Carroll, Nicole. "The Nature, Function, and Value of Emojis as Contemporary Tools of Digital Interpersonal Communication."
Order No. 10191572 Gardner-Webb University, 2016. Ann Arbor: ProQuest. Web. 23 May 2017.

Bliss-Carroll, Niki. “Gardner-Webb Research Experience Provides Opportunity to Explore Majors.” Gardner-Webb University
Home. Gardner-Webb University, 22 Mar. 2016. Web. 30 May 2017.

Bliss-Carroll, Niki. “Back from the Brink: Musician Jimi Ray Shares His Story of Grace and Redemption.” Gaston Gazette [Gastonia]
31 Dec. 2015: n. pag. Print.

Bliss-Carroll, Niki. “GWU Undergraduate Research Program Helps Student Solidify Future Plans.” Gardner-Webb University Home.
Gardner-Webb University, 5 Apr. 2016. Web. 30 May 2017.

Bliss-Carroll, Niki. “Second Nature: ESL Major’s Research to Provide Guide for Teachers.” Gardner-Webb The Magazine. Gardner-
Webb University, 10 Nov. 2016. Web. 17 May 2017.

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REFERENCES

Noel T. Manning, Associate Vice President for Communications and Marketing – Gardner-Webb University
704.300.4265

Greg Tillman, Broadcasting Director – Cleveland Community College

704.418.8833

Annie K. Freeman, Assistant Vice President for Undergraduate Admissions – Gardner-Webb University
704.406.4491

Additional References Available Upon Request

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