Laura Cech

Experience

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  The Philadelphia Inquirer

  Jan 1996 - Jan 1999

  Correspondent

  Covered the state’s second largest and busiest court system, a hotly contested Congressional race and a variety of stories about education and politics.

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  The Bergen Record

  Jan 1999 - Jan 2000

  Reporter

  Crime reporter in the highly competitive New York-area media market. Quickly established key sources and found the best academic and expert sources to add depth to coverage. Developed thoughtful, investigative and project pieces about suburban life.

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  The Baltimore Sun

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2008

  Reporter

  As a general assignment reporter, wrote and researched articles about environmental, political, educational, health and legal issues. Established a reputation as a careful reporter, able to adapt material to web and multi-media platforms and meet tight deadlines. Work was chosen for publication in the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and Miami Herald.

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  Self Employed Freelance Work

  Jun 2008 - Oct 2016

  Writer-Editor-Communications Specialist

  • Researched and wrote articles on subjects ranging from sleep disorders to circus camp for publications including The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Magazine, Maryland Family Magazine, Washingtonian, Howard Magazine, Frederick Magazine. Work has received several awards including Parenting Publications of America’s 2010 Gold Award for Feature Writing. • Coordinated website content, created marketing materials and orchestrated social media outreach on behalf of educational non-profits.• Developed content for a variety of publications, including brochures, in-house newsletters, annual reports, posters and magazines for clients including Mt. Washington Children’s Hospital and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. • Maintained strong working relationships with web vendors, photographers, graphic designers, copy editors and others.• Kept meticulous notes of various projects and tracked developments of legislative and community issues, including communication and public statements.• Conducted exhaustive research and immaculate fact-checking. Show less

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  Congressional Office of Compliance

  Oct 2016 - Nov 2019

  • Identified communication needs, and developed and implemented communication plans about the office’s policies, programs, services, and activities.• Evaluated the effectiveness of information and communications programs.• Supervised legal writers and editors, photographers, graphic designers, videographers, and web team.• Produced internal and external letters, newsletters, web-based content, informational memorandums, white papers, presentations, operating procedures and processes, and Board materials.• Crafted response to public/media inquiries typically of sensitive, political and/or confidential nature, using feedback to tailor materials and content such as FAQs, social media campaigns, and more.• Oversaw redesign of website, in addition to maintaining the site with content and graphics and ensuring all information is timely, clear, engaging and accessible.• Project manager for numerous educational training projects on topics including workplace rights and implicit bias. Work included researching materials, vendors, and legal topics. • Served as liaison between OOC and congressional offices, legislative branch agencies, and staff associations, establishing and maintaining positive relationships.• Worked through traditional and social media channels to advance core messages of the office. Show less

  • Director Of Communications

    Apr 2018 - Nov 2019

  • Communications and Outreach Manager

    Oct 2016 - Apr 2018
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  Office of Congressional Workplace Rights

  Apr 2018 - Nov 2019

  Director Of Communications
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  University of Maryland

  Nov 2019 - Apr 2022

  Assistant Director Of Communications

  • Oversaw communications and marketing strategies that engaged the campus community to foster a sense of pride, belonging, and accomplishment within its undergraduate student population and among faculty and staff• Served on communications cabinet to advocate for and promote the priorities of the Office of Undergraduate Studies, while partnering closely with the development team, Honors College, and a range of other programs, colleges, and schools• Developed content (written, video, social media) for a range of initiatives and programs to engage students, parents, staff, campus and external partners• Led the development and maintenance of marketing, website, and communications materials, including migrating and redesigning more than twenty sites from HTML to Drupal platforms• Edited UGST publications, including Annual Report, website content, social media and ensure accessibility (Section 508 Compliance)• Served on planning teams for special events such as awards ceremonies and celebrations, working with vendors, budgeting officials, facilities staff, and dignitaries• Prepared talking points and speeches and mentor student commencement speakers on speech and delivery• Managed media relations, writing press releases, pitching to local and national media outlets, and responding to media inquiries• Measured effectiveness of communications and marketing efforts, reporting on qualitative and quantitative metrics such as Google analytics and email engagement data• Supervised multiple vendors and Graduate Assistant, juggling priorities and ensuring projects align with goals, consider the perspectives of all stakeholders, and meet deadlines Show less

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  The Johns Hopkins University

  Apr 2022 - Oct 2022

  Senior Media Relations Manager
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  University of Maryland

  Oct 2022 - now

  Associate Director of Communications