Biography & Resume
Biography
Elizabeth Kimbell is an English major at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. At the age of six, Kimbell decided that she wanted to be a writer, and has since then followed this goal.
Kimbell was born in 1986 in Mt. Lebanon, Pa. and has since lived in Tennessee and Virginia. Her current hometown is a rural region in Pennsylvania called Mars that, like many other places in the United States, is currently undergoing major suburban construction. Kimbell graduated from Mars Area High School in May 2005.
At Mason, Kimbell worked three semesters at the student newspaper, Broadside as a copy editor, staff writer and later on as a layout editor. At the same time, she maintained a position as a head resident advisor within the university's on-campus freshmen housing area. As both a member of the Broadside as well as university housing staff, Kimbell obtained a list of skills ranging from journalism, working as a team player, managing people, time management and peer counseling.
In rare moments of spare time, Kimbell is busily finishing a novel, which she aims to send to a publisher by the end of 2009. It's tentative title is "The Waldon Troupe" and focuses on her favorite literary theme: growing up.
Kimbell is expected to graduate in August 2009, after completing a 9-week internship in London, England. After graduation, she intends to continue work in journalism and start on a second novel.
Resume
Summary:
• Three years leadership and mentoring experience as a resident advisor, head resident advisor and freshman programming coordinator at George Mason University.• Three semesters of journalism experience at university student newspaper, Broadside.
• Proficient in MS Office, Quark & Adobe Photoshop.
• Programming languages include HTML, XTML, CSS.
• Foreign language: German.
Education:
• George Mason University, English Major - GPA 3.71Expected Graduation Date: August 2009
• Mars Area High School - GPA 4.23
Graduated: May 2005
Work Experience:
Freshman Programming Coordinator, 2008-2009, GMU Office of Housing and Residence Life• Created and developed "canned" programs to help RAs develop a bond with their floor or combat perpetual problems such as vandalism, or consumption of alcohol.
• Taught courses to RAs about how to create bulletin boards, fliers, properly advertise for programs and how to focus on weekend programming for freshmen residents.
• Continued with all other Head Resident Advisor duties as a senior for 18 RAs and 26 female freshmen residents.
Head Resident Advisor, 2007-2009, GMU Office of Housing and Residence Life
• Acted as a liaison between professional housing staff and undergraduate staff.
• Held access to sub-master keys for every building in housing area, which were only to be used for emergency lock-outs or health and safety inspections.
• Put together outings for staff support or acted as peer counselor for 12 RAs.
• Met with professional staff each week to provide feedback and help shape the weekly full staff meeting agenda.
• Coordinated staff scheduling along with two other HRA peers.
• Continued with all other Resident Advisor duties to 29 male and female freshmen residents.
Resident Advisor, 2006-2007, GMU Office of Housing and Residence Life
• Worked as a leader, mentor and rule enforcer to 26 male and female freshmen residents over the course of one year.
• Created programs to bond, develop and maintain a floor community and identity.
Activities:
• Layout/Design Editor, Staff Writer and Copy Editor for George Mason University's student-run newspaper, Broadside. August 2005 - December 2007.
Awards:
• RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award): leadership camp participant and award winner, Summer 2004. Also Rich-Mar Rotary Student of the Month, Feb. 2004.• ARTSmart First Place Show Winner, Spring 2005, presented by the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.
Life Experience:
• Lifetime Girl Scout member, 17 years. Volunteer counselor for GS camp every summer.• Other: Camp Counselor summer 2007, Waitress summer 2005-2006, Golf Cart Attendant summer 2004 and Lifeguard since summer 2002. Still certified.