Curriculum vitae
Ruth Shillair
5246 Crocus Ave., Lansing, MI 48911
517-303-0350
Shillai7@msu.edu
www.beachcomberdesign.com
Professional Profile
Working to understand the complex interactions that occur in the online educational environment, seeking to help develop educational delivery systems that incorporate seamless human-computer interaction and improve learning outcomes, with a special focus on helping non-traditional tertiary students
- Currently Completing Master’s Degree in Telecommunications, Information
Studies and Media with a focus on Internet, Society and Policy. - Bachelor’s Degree with a double major in Computer Information
Management and Management. - Over twenty years of experience in education.
o All age groups- toddlers to doctoral students
o All backgrounds- internationals, refugees, non-traditional students,
and those with learning disabilities. - Dedicated to helping others gain the tools they need to excel, with a special emphasis on technological and pedagogical solutions to help improve learning.
Education
M.S. Telecommunications, Information Studies and Media
Michigan State University,
expected 2013
B.S. Computer Information Management/ Management
Northwood University, 2011
Summa cum laude
A.A.A. Computer Graphics / Web Design
Lansing Community College, 2010
Summa cum laude
A.A. Writing/ Creative Writing
Lansing Community College, 2008
Summa cum laude
Conferences and Presentations
Michigan Writing Center Association
2012 Conference
Conference Coordinator
East Central Writing Center Association
2012 Conference
Presented:
Fluidly fitting to new formats: Negotiating changes in online environments
Michigan Tutoring Association
2012 Confeence
Presented: Strategies for Student Success in New Environments
East Central Writing Center Association
2010 Conference
Presented:
Going Beyond the Vanishing Point-Moving Beyond our Cultural Confines
Michigan Writing Center Association
2010 Conference
Presented: Convergence or Collision: How our Interactions with Faculty Help or Harm Students
Michigan Writing Center Association
2010 Conference
Co-Presented- Using the Three "R's" to help reach non-traditional students
London Metropolitan University Writing Centre (London, England)
Part of a consulting team, documenting economic benefit of writing centers to institutions
East Central Writing Center Association
2009 Conference
Poster Presentation- Growing Honest Writers in a Globally Diverse Environment
Honors
Liberal Arts Network for Development Writing Contest
1st place for essay writing, 2007
Liberal Arts Network for Development Writing Contest
2nd place for poetry, 2006
Lansing Community College Honor’s Scholarship
National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Member
Consistently on Dean’s List or President’s List
Employment
The Writing Center @ MSU
Business Communications Center Coordinator
2011 to present
Coordinate staffing
Liaison with Lear Center Staff
Work with students
Web content committee
Grant Writing Committee
Graduate Assistant, 2010 to present
Work with students and MSU faculty on writing projects
Lead workshops
Navigating the PhD Peer Feedback
Avoiding Plagiarism
APA Citation
Lansing Community College Writing Center
Peer Writing Assistant, 2008-2011
Writing Assistant
Online Writing Assistant
Siena Heights University
Writing Tutor, 2009-2011
Lansing Center Writing Tutor
Beachcomber Design, LLC
Web Design, 2007-present
Web design, photography, graphic design, content development, and customer communications
Clients include: major Michigan medical affiliations, non-profit organizations, online educational services, lawyers, and counselors.
Lansing Chinese Christian Church
Director of Youth and Children Ministries,
Director, 1987-2010
Ministry Team Leader, 2010-present
Coordinate program for five classes (40-50 students), coordinate and train volunteers, work with children, teach teens, lead music, crafts and activities in
a bi-lingual environment.
Heritage Christian School
Home School Teacher, 1987-2007
Taught K-12, all subjects
English/Writing Tutoring for Non-Native Speakers
Individual and small group tutoring, 1989-present
In person and via Internet
Professional Affiliations
World Association for Online Education, 2012
Michigan Tutoring Association, 2012
East Central Writing Center Association, since 2008
Michigan Writing Center Association, since 2008
International Writing Center Association, 2009
Special Projects
Online Discussion Tool, in early stages of development and testing (2012)
Teaching with Technology, AL course- developed syllabus and all assignments for a one semester online course, including web site for delivery (2012)
Washington Square Review (Editorial Board, 2008)
Washington Square Review, graphic designer for cover (2008 -2011)
Professional Photography- nature background, graduation pictures (2008-present)
Computer Skills
Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PPT, Outlook, Access (certification course) Adobe Creative Suite: Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Fireworks, Flash
Painter X SQL VB.net
HTML, XML, JavaScript, CSS