Barbara Purbaugh, M.F.A.
purbaugh@comcast.net
www.barbarapurbaugh.com
CAREER OBJECTIVE
To obtain a position that will utilize my skills and experience to improve the community while providing opportunities for further training
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience in planning, instruction, and supervision
• Strong communication skills including writing and public speaking
• Proven record of leadership, event planning and management, and strong public relations skills
• Knowledge of computers including Windows, the Internet, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, Print Shop, PowerPoint, Excel, and Web Design
EDUCATION
Naropa University
Boulder, CO
Master of Fine Arts-Creative Writing
Critical Thesis: “What’s your name? Who’s your daddy? Is he rich like me? Identity, class, and the legitimacy of the poor white writer in Bastard out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison.”
University of Pittsburgh
Johnstown, PA
Bachelor of Arts Secondary Education-English
PA teacher certification
Act 34 and Act 151 Child Abuse and Criminal Record Clearances
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
2009-present
University of Pittsburgh
Johnstown, PA
Duties: Instructed adult students of various skill levels in Freshman Composition
2006-present
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
Johnstown, PA
Title: English Instructor
Duties: Instructed adult students of various skill levels in Research Writing, Technical Writing, Freshman Composition, Business Letter and Report Writing, Creative Writing, and
Developmental English
Planned and assisted students in creating a student literary magazine, The Penn
2003-present
Allegany College of Maryland
Cumberland, MD
Title: English Instructor
Duties: Instructed adult students of various skill levels in Freshman Composition, Developmental English, Developmental Reading, Business and Technical Communication, and Speech
Communication
2007-2008
Mt. Aloysius College
Cresson, PA
Title: Vocational and Academic Counselor for the New Choices/ New Options Program
Counseling and Instruction Duties: Counseled and instructed adult students of various skill levels in Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton counties in personal and career development classes,
instructed basic computer skills classes including Internet and Microsoft Word, and administered personality and skills assessment tests.
Recruitment Duties: Recruited prospective participants, developed and maintained community contacts, created and implemented programs with other agencies, participated in job fairs, and
spoke to various community organizations
Other Duties: Maintained records and completed reports related to grant funding
2003-2007
Somerset County Technology Center
Somerset, PA
Title: Adult Education Instructor
Duties: Instructed adult students of various skill levels in Adult Basic Education and GED preparation classes. Worked primarily with special needs adults on basic reading and mathematics
skills.
2002-2009
Barbara Purbaugh Consulting Services
Somerset, PA
Title: Owner/Operator
Duties: Created resumes, designed flyers, and edited books for various clients.
2001-2003
Somerset County Technology Center
Somerset, PA
Title: Office Assistant
Duties: Performed various public relations tasks including contacting community members regarding participation in a career fair, contacting media agencies, and preparing mailings
Coordinated student participation in the job-shadowing program by working with various community agencies, businesses, and schools to develop job-shadowing sites
VOLUNTEER WORK
2002-present
Works in Progress Writers’ Workshop
Somerset, PA
Title: Leader
Writers’ Group Duties: Created and implemented a writers’ group, recruited new members, organized and lead meetings, spoke to various community organizations about the group, and
cooperated with Laurel Arts, a local arts organization, to become an affiliate of their organization
Poetry Reading Duties: organized and implemented poetry readings, created programs and flyers associated with the readings, recruited local writers and musicians to perform at the
readings, and contacted local media outlets to promote the readings
Writing Contest Coordinator Duties: organized and implemented both a poetry and a short story contest, collected funding for the contest, created guidelines, evaluation sheets, and flyers
associated with the contest, recruited local writers to judge the contest, contacted local media outlets to promote the contest, and completed all forms and correspondence associated with
the contest
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AND READINGS
2008
Central Cambria High School Writing Festival
Cresson, PA
Presentation on Writing
2006
Bottleworks Ethnic Arts Center
Johnstown, PA
Poetry Reading with musician, Rachel Allen
2003
Laurel Arts
Somerset, PA
Poetry Reading with various musicians and writers
PUBLISHING HISTORY AND AWARDS
2009
Central Cambria High School Writing Festival
Adult Specialty Writing Contest
First Place Award
2008
Wild Violet Online Literary Magazine
Short Story Contest
First Place Award
2007
Pennwriters Poetry Contest
Third Place Award
2006
Pennwriters Novel Beginning Contest
Third Place Award
2006
Our Town Magazine
Publication of a short story, “Bald”
2003
Pittsburgh Quarterly Online
Publication of a short story, “Peppermint”
2003
Assistant writer of the short film, The Tech Know Zone
2001
My novel, Tracks, was optioned for a screenplay by Ziji Films, Hollywood, CA.
2001
I was represented by the Coppage Agency of Hollywood, CA.
1
997
Winner of the 1996-1997 Claire S. Garber Memorial Creative Writing Award
References Available Upon Request