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

  • Created Drupal and WordPress sites for department programs and projects, prioritizing usability and accessibility and working closely with faculty on content and designs to support mission, values, and goals, including:
  • Utilized HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Twig (PHP) to create templates and views for UNLcms Drupal sites, including:
  • Presented on accessibility, web design basics, and CMS platforms in classes and at DH Bootcamp.
  • Designed graphics for websites, posters, digital signage, print booklets, newsletters, and social media.
  • Provided technical support and training for faculty and graduate instructors through workshops, videos, step-by-step guides, detailed documentation, and one-on-one consultations.
  • 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 operations 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.

  • Worked with fellow founding members to guide development of university web framework, apps, terms of use, style guide, quality assurance review process, and public information systems.
  • Gave presentations on UI/UX, information architecture, and Drupal content types, templates, views, and feeds aggregators.
  • Collaborated with developer team to translate templates and styles from UNL Web Framework 4.1 to 5.0.
  • Spearheaded the WDN Blog Taskforce, which surveyed users and developers, researched best practices, explored potential implementations, and submitted a formal proposal to the board and university administrators for building blog functionality into UNLcms Drupal sites.
  • Cultivated connections between developers and helped foster an environment of respect, collaboration, and outreach.

World Languages Center Assistant

World Languages Center, St. Olaf College

January 2013 - May 2014

  • Provided technical support and training for language department faculty, staff, researchers and students.
  • Supervised and trained diverse team of 15-20 student workers 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.
  • Redesigned user interface of WLC materials database and streamlined reservations system.
  • Updated website navigation menus and integrated room calendars from reservations system.

Multimedia Instructional Technologist (Interim)

Multimedia Development Center, St. Olaf College

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.

Graphic Design / Client Services Specialist

CTB Financial Services, Ltd.

February 2011 - December 2014

  • Designed advertisements, mailers, email newsletters, and invitations.
  • Oversaw two website redesigns and took over as webmaster in early 2012.
  • Planned and directed migration to new client database software. -Researched new technology to improve office workflow and kick-start social media campaign.
  • Provided professional service and communicated with over 150 clients.

Counter Intelligence Agent

Geek Squad / Best Buy, Inc.

September 2010 - February 2011

  • Diagnosed, repaired, maintained and upgraded computer and network systems.
  • Installed and troubleshot hardware and software components.
  • Applied knowledge and skills to solve home and office needs for a diverse customer base.
  • Trained fellow employees on proper procedures and policies for system upgrades and repairs.

Undergraduate Researcher

Department of Linguistics, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

September 2010 - February 2011

  • Applied for research grants through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).
  • Designed and implemented my own research plan to study conversational narrative in Malay.
  • Managed the recruitment and compensation of 7 subjects and a translation assistant.
  • Coordinated schedules for my advisor, translation assistant, study participants and myself.
  • Produced video and audio recordings of subjects’ conversations for narrative analysis.
  • Presented results in several forms, including two papers, a poster and a conference presentation.

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

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

Skills

  • 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, Adobe Creative Stuide, Visual Studio Code, Gimp, iMovie, Final Cut Pro.
  • 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, TEI for XML, and ADA standards for closed captioning.
  • Podcasting experience, including planning, recording, editing and production, publication, and promotion.
  • Photography, including 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.

Writing Samples