Erin Kay Chambers

Education

Master of Arts in English (in progress)

University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Emphases in queer theory and digital humanities. Awarded John Robinson Prize for Scholarly Papers for “Hope Against Hope: Queer Negativity, Possibility, and Hope as Phenomena,” 2022.

Graduate Certificate in Digital Humanities

University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Topics included digital archives and editions, public humanities, web development, project management, editorial theory, literary transcription and encoding, and grant writing.

Post-Baccalaureate Studies

University of Nebraska–Lincoln & St. Olaf College

Graduate courses included community forestry, science communication, arboriculture, and hydroponics; undergraduate courses in plant science, soil science, dendrology, anthropology, and (at St. Olaf) Ancient Greek.

Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Graduated Summa Cum Laude, with minors in Design Theory and Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). Received National Merit Scholarship, 2006, U of M Presidential Scholarship, 2006, and Undergraduate Research Opportunities Grant, 2009-10.

Work Experience

Instructional Technology and Media Specialist

Department of English, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

June 2014 - Present

  • Installed, themed, and created templates and views for Drupal and WordPress websites, with an emphasis on usability, accessibility, and sustainability
  • Researched, proposed, and implemented technologies for a wide variety of organizations and projects in support of their missions, values, and goals
  • Supported faculty and graduate instructors in their research and teaching by giving presentations, workshops, and trainings, creating video tutorials and written guides, and offering one-on-one consultations in person and online
  • Designed digital and print materials to promote department programs, projects, courses, publications, and events
  • Translated department processes and shared resources to digital formats, ensuring compliance with university standards and federal regulations
  • Created and maintained detailed documentation of the department’s technology resources, policies, and procedures
  • Assisted with operation and technology at conferences and events
  • Managed department digital signage and social media

Web Developer Network Shared Governance Board

Served two terms (2015-2016 and 2018-2019) while working for the Department of English

  • Guided the development of the university’s web framework, apps, terms of use, style guide, QA review process, and public information systems
  • Collaborated on templates for the latest version of the UNL web framework
  • Cultivated connections between developers and fostered an environment of respect, collaboration, and outreach
  • Spearheaded the WDN Blog Taskforce, which surveyed users and developers, researched UI/UX best practices, explored potential implementations, and submitted a formal proposal to the board and university administrators for building blog functionality into UNLcms Drupal sites.

World Languages Center Assistant

St. Olaf College

January 2013 - May 2014

  • Provided technical support and training for language department faculty, staff, researchers and students
  • Supervised a diverse team of student workers and trained them in the use of audio and video recording equipment, editing software, web design, and software and hardware troubleshooting
  • Worked with faculty and the WLC Director to creatively and strategically integrate technology in the classroom and other language learning contexts
  • Streamlined and integrated the WLC website, inventory, and reservation systems
  • Maintained and improved the WLC materials database and redesigned the user interface

Multimedia Instructional Technologist

St. Olaf College Multimedia Development Center (Temporary Position)

June 2013 - August 2013

  • Collaborated with IT and Library staff from both St. Olaf and Carleton College on digital resource management, technology workshops, summer institute, and joint projects
  • Developed WordPress sites and graphics for IT services, faculty research, and college-wide events
  • Supervised student designers and provided one-on-one training in WordPress, HTML/CSS, PHP, iMovie, Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator
  • Coordinated design projects from start to finish, including consultation, design, production, and delivery operations

Projects and Freelance Work

  • joycastro.com- WordPress site for Joy Castro, award-winning author Professor of English and Ethnic Studies at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
  • mindfulmovementlincoln.com - WordPress site, logo, and business cards for Mindful Movement Pilates, Yoga, and Tai Chi Studio in Lincoln, Nebraska.
  • dvbakerlaw.com - WordPress site for Dana V. Baker, P.C., L.L.O., attorney-at-law in Lincoln, Nebraska.
  • marcoabel.com - WordPress site for Marco Abel, Professor of English and Film Studies at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
  • Iodine and Gasoline - XML/XSLT project for Professor Amanda Gailey’s ENGL 478: Digital Archives and Editions class at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (with Taryn Collura and Lucas Holloway).
  • A Ragtime Two-Step - Omeka site with Neatline interactive map and timeline for Professor James Coltrain’s ENGL 970: Digital History class at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
  • Master Street Tree Plan, Lincoln, Nebraska - proposal submitted to the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department as part of Professor Eric North’s NRES 857: Greenspace and Forestry Management course. I authored Section 4: Tree Selection and Maintenance (31-41) and served as copyeditor and graphic designer.

Presentations and Workshops

Skills

Front-End Web Development

  • Languages: HTML, CSS, XML, XSLT, JavaScript, PHP/Twig
  • CMS Platforms: WordPress, Drupal, Omeka; extensive experience installing, theming (creating child themes, templates, and views), maintaining, backing up, and migrating sites.
  • Other technologies: Mac, PC, Linux, virtual machines, local development environments, command line, git, GitHub, FTP
  • Knowledge and implementation of UI/UX and information architecture best practices
  • Knowledge and application of accessibility and encoding standards, including WCAG and W3C standards for web and ADA standards for closed captioning
  • Ability to adapt quickly to new technology and jump on board projects already in progress

Other Skills

  • Graphic design for web, digital, and print materials; well-versed in Adobe Creative Suite and other design programs such as Visual Studio Code, Gimp, iMovie, and Final Cut Pro
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills (writing samples available on my website; presentations and workshops linked above)
  • Ability to present new concepts and communicate technical information effectively to audiences of diverse backgrounds and varied levels of experience
  • Podcasting, including planning, recording, editing and production, publication, and promotion
  • Amateur photography (events, landscapes, wildlife, portraits, candids, and macro photography)
  • Conversational proficiency in Spanish, with strong reading and comprehension skills; basic knowledge of French, Korean, and Malay

Civic Engagement and Volunteering

Community Forestry Advisory Board, Lincoln, Nebraska

President, 2023
Vice President, 2022
Policy Committee Member, 2021-2022
Events Committee Member, 2018-2020 and 2022-2023

Lincoln Parks and Recreation

Volunteer Tree Planter and Event Staff, 2018-2023

Community Crops

Volunteer and Community Gardener, 2018-2022

Nebraska Science Ambassadors Program

Student Volunteer, 2022

Northfield Community Garden

Volunteer and Community Gardener, 2013

Northfield Historical Society

Museum Exhibit Committee Member, Researcher, and Writer, 2012-2014

Minnesota Literacy Council

Adult ESL Teaching Assistant, Pre-Beginning classes, 2008-2009