jennifer veltsos

rhetoric & professional communication

431 ross hall
iowa state university
ames, iowa 50010
veltsos (at) iastate.edu

curriculum vitae

education

Ph.D. Rhetoric & Professional Communication, 2008
Iowa State University (Ames, IA)

M.A. Technical Communication, 2004
Minnesota State University, Mankato (Mankato, MN)
Thesis: Worth a Thousand Words: The Use of Screen Captures as an Instructional
Aid in a Series of Computer Application Textbooks

M.B.A. 1997
University of Louisiana at Lafayette (Lafayette, LA)
Graduate Project: Organizational Improvements for City Operations: Report to the City Council of Crowley, Louisiana

B.S. Marketing, 1995
University of Louisiana at Lafayette (Lafayette, LA)

teaching experience

Business Communication, Iowa State University (2006-2007). Introducing the theory, principles, and processes of effective written, oral, visual, and electronic communication with an emphasis on genres typically encountered in workplace contexts.

First Year Composition II, Iowa State University (2005-2006). Development of college-level writing strategies with emphasis on arguing a position, analyzing texts, and using primary and secondary sources.

First Year Composition I, Iowa State University (2004). Introduction to college-level writing strategies with emphasis on critical reading and thinking skills.

Introduction to Technical Communication, Minnesota State University, Mankato (2004). Introduction to learning the written and oral communication of technical communication. Assignments include writing and presenting proposals, reports, and documentation. Emphasis on rhetorical analysis, computer applications, collaborative writing, and usability testing to complete technical communication tasks in the workplace.

Computers and Society, Minnesota State University, Mankato (2000-2004). This course seeks to confront participants with complex social and ethical issues associated with computers. Through thoughtful questions, informative readings, and analysis of dichotomous viewpoints, students will gain insight into the complexity of technology-related problems and the lack of simplistic solutions.

Introduction to Microcomputers, Minnesota State University, Mankato (1999-2004). An introductory course in personal computer use for business majors. Provides an understanding of what personal computers are, how they are controlled, and how they are used in the business world. Assignments include word processing, spreadsheets, presentation packages, electronic communication, web pages, and graphics.

research interests

Electronic publications
Document design and visual rhetoric
Professional communication
Teaching assistant instruction

research & scholarship

non-refereed publications

Review of Technical Report Writing Today 9th edition by Daniel Riordan. Technical Communication. August 2006.

Review of Looking Good in Print 6th edition by Roger C. Parker. Technical Communication. Forthcoming.

presentations

“S#!t Happens: True Stories of Client-Based Projects.” Association for Business Communication 71st Annual Conference. San Antonio, TX. 2006.

“Paradigm Bump: Fitting the Orange Journal into the Academic Paradigm.” Conference on College Composition and Communication 55th Annual Conference. Chicago, IL. 2006.

“Using Microsoft Word Tools for Faster Grading: Audio End Comments and AutoCorrect Quick Comments.” ISUComm E-Fair. Iowa State University. 2006.

“Introducing Document Design in First Year Composition: Moving from Uniformity to Influence.” Great Plains Alliance for Computers and Writing Annual Conference. Mankato, MN. 2005.

relevant professional experience

Translator
Picture Window Books, Mankato, MN (Apr 2005)
Translated and localized the text of the children’s book Patatras la Panthere and correspondence from the author to the publisher.

Editing Intern
South Central Technical College, Mankato, MN (Sep 2003–Jan 2004)
Edited an instructor’s original course content to prepare for Spring 2004 semester.
Compiled edits into HTML files for publication as an online course on WebCT.

Internship Coordinator, Computer & Information Sciences Department
Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN (Aug 2000–Jul 2004)
Prepared students for job hunting and internships; advised students on course work, resume design and content, and interviewing skills.
Designed and maintained promotional materials and internship program website.
Served as the department’s liaison with industry to maintain existing relationships and recruit new businesses to hire CIS students.
Taught writing intensive and service courses for the department (150 to 250 students per semester).

Community Relations Manager
Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Mankato, MN (Jan 2000–Oct 2000)
Planned and executed special events such as author appearances, book fairs, children’s story times, book release parties, and book club meetings.
Performed community outreach to area schools to encourage reading and writing among students.
Designed and published promotional materials for store events.

Communications Specialist
Louisiana Office of Tourism, Baton Rouge, LA (Mar 1998—Aug 1999)
Developed marketing initiatives to promote Louisiana as a vacation destination.
Prepared speeches, letters, reports, and other official communications regarding tourism marketing efforts for the Secretary of Culture, Recreation and Tourism and the Lieutenant Governor.
Drafted contracts and requests for proposal (RFP) for the Executive Counsel.
Escorted French and Canadian journalists on five-day “fam tours” of the state and represented the agency on local television interviews and at regional civic organization meetings.

technical skills

Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, FrontPage, Publisher, Outlook, Visio
Adobe PageMaker, Photoshop, Acrobat 5.0
HTML

service

Iowa State University
Ph.D. student representative, RPC area faculty meetings (2005-2006)

Minnesota State University
Computer & Information Sciences Department Committee Memberships
Scheduling Committee, member (2001-2003)
Library Committee, member (2002-2003)
Grants & Aids Committee, member (2000-2001), chair (2001-2002)
Ad-Hoc Committee on Student Ethics, member (2002-2003)
Technology Careers Panel Moderator, MSU Business & Technology Career Day (2000, 2002)
Judge, MSU Homecoming Parade (2003)
Judge, Minnesota Regional Science Fair (2002, 2003)

professional affiliations

Society for Technical Communication
Association for Business Communication
Association of Teachers of Technical Writing
Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity

not-at-all-scholarly contributions to society

“Shamdelier." Original word and definition published by www.pseudodictionary.com
“Tattle Wave." Original word and definition published by www.pseudodictionary.com