Jennifer L. Seward

I was an accidental English major. 


While pursuing a broadcast communications degree, I was sidetracked when a composition instructor nominated a paper of mine for an award from the English Department. I got the award (along with a $50 prize which, as a poor college student, thrilled me more than the actual award). Afterwards, my instructor confessed he submitted my paper because he doubted I’d be able to weave the texts we’d studied into the thesis I’d proposed. But I did, he said, and seamlessly. So, I changed my major to English and decided I’d be a writer. 


That was years ago, but it showed me I have a talent for writing, the ability to find connections between ideas and things, and a knack for tying them together. I’ve taken those skills and applied them to roles as a newspaper reporter and as the primary communications specialist for two nonprofits - one local and one national. I’ve learned a lot by wearing many hats: content creator; email designer/distributor; journalist; media/community relations specialist; publications manager; and social media coordinator. 


But at my core, I'm a storyteller. Check out just a few of my writing samples below.


AWARDS


○ Indiana University English Department Culbertson Award for Outstanding Writing


○ The Associated Press First Place Deadline Reporting (part of news team to receive award for series of nine front-page articles on the introduction of riverboat gambling in Northwest Indiana. Responsible for last in the series on environmental impact on the lakeshore.)


○ Thomson Newspapers Best Entry in Non-Deadline Writing (part of news team to receive Award of Excellence for articles about a double homicide/suicide in Northwest Indiana town of Hebron.)


○ The Communicator Awards Honorable Mention for 2002 CICOA annual report


○ National Mature Media Merit Award for 2003 CICOA annual report


○ National Mature Media Bronze Award for Single CICOA Newsletter Article


○ National Mature Media Bronze Award for 2004 CICOA annual report


EDUCATION


B.A. in English, Indiana University


M.A. in English, Butler University

NEWSLETTERS

EMAILS


ARTICLES


Safe Sitter® •

After Rocky Start, This Safe Sitter Became A Hero

When teens take a Safe Sitter® class, they learn first aid so they’re prepared for injuries that may happen when home alone, sibling sitting, or babysitting. But injuries can happen anytime and anywhere, and having the skills to deal with them can make all the difference. That’s what Safe Sitter® graduate Rebecca Barnes learned. At 14, Rebecca, the youngest of her siblings, was ready to start babysitting. Her mother, Shannon, recommended she t
Safe Sitter® •

This Hero Is The Ultimate Big Brother

It’s the unofficial job of a big brother to look out for his younger siblings. Nicholas Demers not only looked out for his younger brother, he saved his life. And he did it using rescue skills he’d learned in Safe Sitter® years prior. In 2014, Nicholas took a Safe Sitter® class at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center in Ogdensburg, New York. His father, Jason Demers, a pharmacist, had started working at the hospital and, although neither had heard o

ANNUAL REPORT