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 advising, curriculum development, 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, PowerPoint, Excel, i<clicker classroom management system, 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.”
This study of the novel, Bastard out of Carolina, by Dorothy Allison examines Allison’s main character, Bone, a young girl who transcends the powerlessness of class and illegitimacy to
claim her identity. In addition, it focuses on issues of class in America, in particularly, the effects of being poor and white, white trash stereotypes, and the problems that poor white writers
as a marginalized group face when they use their own themes and language to claim their literary birthright.
Creative Manuscript: Tracks, a novel
Tracks is the story of twelve-year-old Helen Cooper. When her father, Samson Cooper, is released from prison, Helen struggles to connect with him as they move closer to understanding
and forgiving each other and resolving their family history.
University of Pittsburgh
Johnstown, PA
Bachelor of Arts Secondary Education-English
Minors: English Literature and Creative Writing
Magna cum laude
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS AND CLEARANCES
PA teacher certification
Act 34 and Act 151 Child Abuse and Criminal Record Clearances
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
2010-present
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
Johnstown, PA
Title: English Instructor
Teaching Duties:
Instructed adult students of various skill levels in Research Writing, Technical Writing, English Composition I, English Composition II: Studies in Literature, Business Letter and Report
Writing, Creative Writing, and Developmental English
Advising Duties:
• Helped thirty five students with scheduling of classes and completing the registration process
• Maintained contact with students throughout the semester regarding deadlines, scheduling procedures, and announcement of events.
• Participated in advising workshops and events to encourage early registration.
College Service – Committees
• Served on a variety of college committees including diversity, social welfare, curriculum, early college enrollment, academic policies and wellness.
• Served as the secretary of curriculum committee
• Served as chairperson of the search committee for a Humanities faculty member.
• Served on the search committee for a Criminal Justice faculty member.
• Served on a developmental education workgroup
College Service – Miscellaneous
• Presenter at Open House: Demonstrated the i<clicker classroom management system
• Organized and participated in a murder mystery
• Presenter at the ACE (Early College Enrollment) training
• Coordinated St. Patrick Day and Women’s History Month celebration including booking two guest speakers and a band
• Coordinated and hosted a Poem in your Pocket Poetry Reading
• Coordinated and conducted a self-esteem workshop
Curriculum Development
• Developed a new course, Monsters in Literature
• Developed a new course, Women and Literature
• Updated Syllabi: English 225 Technical Writing, English 205 Research Writing, English 215 Creative Writing, English 250 Women and Literature
Assessment
• Developed a spreadsheet to help with assessment
• Attended assessment meetings and worked with lead faculty member and adjunct faculty regarding assessment.
• Evaluated numerous sections of English 110 English Composition
• Evaluated the students’ ability to demonstrate fluency in written communications by writing an effective persuasive/argumentative essay
2006-2010
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
Johnstown, PA
Title: Adjunct English Instructor
Duties: Instructed adult students of various skill levels in Research Writing, Technical Writing, English Composition I, English Composition II: Studies in Literature, Business Letter and
Report Writing, Creative Writing, and Developmental English
2009-2009
University of Pittsburgh
Johnstown, PA
Title: Adjunct English Instructor
Duties: Instructed adult students of various skill levels in Freshman Composition
2003-2009
Allegany College of Maryland
Cumberland, MD
Title: Adjunct 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.
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
2011
Ligonier Valley Writers Flash Fiction Contest
Honorable Mention for the short story, “Missing and Presumed Dead”
2011
Red River Review
Publication of a poem, “Last call for fireflies”
2011
Red Poppy Review
Publication of a poem, “Words Matter”
2011
Menopause Press
Publication of a poem, “Dwelling in the tents of the wicked”
2009
The Battered Suitcase
Publication of a short story, “Green Rain”
2009
Central Cambria High School Writing Festival
Adult Specialty Writing Contest
First Place Award for the poem, “Morning Mist”
2008
Wild Violet Online Literary Magazine
Short Story Contest
First Place Award for the short story, “X and Q”
2007
Pennwriters Poetry Contest
Third Place Award for the poem, “If I wrote love poems…”
2006
Pennwriters Novel Beginning Contest
Third Place Award for the novel, Tracks
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.
1997
Winner of the 1996-1997 Claire S. Garber Memorial Creative Writing Award
PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION
2011
Pennwriters 2011 Writers Conference
10th Annual Seton Hill Writing Popular Fiction Retreat
2010
Pennwriters 2010 Writers Conference
9th Annual Seton Hill Writing Popular Fiction Retreat
2009
Pennwriters 2009 Writers Conference
8th Annual Seton Hill Writing Popular Fiction Retreat
AFFILIATIONS
2011-present
Member, The Historical & Genealogical Society of Somerset County, Inc.
2007-present
Member, Pennwriters
MISCELLANEOUS
2011
Featured artist in the Somerset Magazine
References Available Upon Request