Content Writer

Robin Finesmith

**** *. ******** ** #***

Chicago, IL 60660

847-***-**** • ***********@*****.***

EDUCATION

IOWA WRITERS' WORKSHOP, Iowa City, Iowa

M.F.A. in English, The University of Iowa

OBERLIN COLLEGE, Oberlin, Ohio

B.A. in English / Writing Specialization

WRITING AND EDITING EXPERIENCE

FREELANCE REPORTER (1990-present)

• Contributed arts features and news reports to National Public Radio’s Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Performance Today.

• Reported on environmental issues for NPR’s Living on Earth and the Great Lakes Radio Consortium.

• Contributed news stories and features to Voice of America, Public Radio International’s The World, and NBC Radio.

• Covered the Sam Sheppard DNA trial for the Christian Science Monitor’s MonitorRadio.

• Wrote features for the Chicago Daily Herald.

SENIOR JOURNALIST

NEWSXPARTNERS CORPORATION (Contract remote, 2022-present)

• Interview and profile social media influencers. WrIte SEO-optimized topical articles, product reviews, news releases, and editorials for digital publications in health and wellness sector. CONTENT WRITER

PEARSON EDUCATIONAL MEASUREMENT (Contract remote, 2005-2022)

• Researched and wrote biographies, informational articles, fiction, and poetry passages for state-based large scale reading comprehension assessments and state curriculum tests.

• Qualified scorer for ACT and SAT Writing Tests.

NEWS REPORTER

JOURNAL AND TOPICS NEWSPAPERS, Des Plaines, Illinois (part-time, 2001-2004)

• Wrote feature stories and news articles on environmental issues, historic preservation, education, local government, and the arts for chain of 14 community newspapers serving more than two dozen Northwest Chicago communities.

• Wrote weekly education column on Des Plaines schools and editorial endorsements of local school board candidates.

Broadcast Journalism Faculty, Department of Radio

COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO, Chicago, Illinois (2000-2001)

• Drafted new writing competency standards for college-wide Writing Intensive courses as co-chair of Curriculum Committee’s Expository Writing Subcommittee.

• Taught Writing for Radio, Radio Newscasting, Commercial News Formats, and WCRX Advanced Practicum; developed curriculum for Introduction to Radio Technology. Broadcast Journalism Advisor. NEWS REPORTER /ANCHOR

WMAQ-CHICAGO, ALL-NEWS RADIO AM 670 Chicago, Illinois (per diem, 1998-1999)

• Generated story ideas; researched, wrote, and edited news copy.

• Delivered newscasts on local and national breaking news for morning and evening drive-time shows.

• Reported from the field and in-studio, voiced and produced spot news and features.

• Co-anchored weekend program; conducted live interviews. MIDWEST BUREAU CHIEF, NPR’S LIVING ON EARTH

CLEVELAND PUBLIC RADIO WCPN 90.3 Cleveland, Ohio (1995-1998)

• Reported on environmental issues affecting the Great Lakes region for NPR’s weekly environmental news magazine. Topics included environmental education, invasive species, endocrine disruptors, and urban sprawl, including ecological and cultural aspects of neighborhood redevelopment.

• Wrote, edited, and produced radio reports on local public affairs, including the state takeover of Cleveland schools, public housing, welfare reform, and legal issues for the Ohio Public Radio network.

• Anchored election coverage; produced and edited local news magazines, panel discussions, and live remotes.

NEWS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS PRODUCER

IOWA PUBLIC RADIO WSUI AM 910 Iowa City, Iowa (1987-1994)

• Reported on education, legal affairs, the arts, and cultural issues for Iowa Public Radio. Coordinated news department coverage of Midwest century floods. Hired, trained, and supervised student announcing staff.

• Anchored local broadcast of NPR's Morning Edition. SELECTED HONORS

Golden Reel, National Federation of Community Broadcasters First Prize, Voice of America American Voices National Radio Competition, Citizen Journalist Award, Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting Unity Award in Media for Reporting on Minority Affairs, Lincoln University Best of Show, Defense of the 1st Amendment, Ohio Society of Professional Journalists Best Social Justice Reporting, Ohio Society of Professional Journalists Award of Overall Achievement in Professional Excellence, Iowa Women in Communications

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