Aaron Geiger, Ph.D.

Experience

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  US Navy

  Nov 2000 - Nov 2004

  Sonar Technician / Rescue Swimmer

  As a 3rd class petty officer, was in charge of ship's sonar equipment, serving on, and commissioning, a state-of-the-art destroyer (USS Preble, DDG-88). Tested brand new equipment, and developed troubleshooting workarounds for future sailors. Completed "A" and "C" schools in Point Loma's Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center, finishing first in class in "C" school. Also qualified for, and completed, the intense SRS (surface rescue swimmer) school in Jacksonville, Florida, and became the Preble's first rescue swimmer. Show less

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  Parkland Technical Services

  Sept 2004 - Apr 2006

  Technician

  Provided technical support to all computer aspects of Parkland College, including, but not limited to, PC technology, networking, security, Apple technology, printing, hardware issues, maintenance, software installation and training, and A/V support.

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  Parkland College

  Sept 2004 - Jan 2010

  Publications Manager

  · Features Writer. Illini Media / Daily Illini / the buzz. Sept. 2004 ­ Aug. 2009 · Search and Rescue

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  Prospectus News

  Sept 2005 - May 2010

  Publications Manager

  Hired as a freelance writer, promoted to features, and then elected as editor-in-chief in 2006. At the conclusion of my first year as editor, the college hired me as their publications manager. As editor, switched entire system to InDesign, expanded circulation tenfold by utilizing online initiatives, developed marketing strategies that showed an increase in revenue, started Web design for the paper, and increased the staff from four employees to a semesterly average of 15-20. Established ethics guidelines, opened new avenues to the community, built relationships with local media outlets, and initiated a good rapport with civic services, city commerce, and politicians. Managed budget, output, employee payrolls, hiring/firing, marketing, concept, production, distribution, advisor relations, and community feedback and concerns. Show less

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  PCE-TV

  Sept 2005 - May 2006

  Editor, Technician

  Employed in a variety of functions, such as digital editor (utilizing Final Cut Pro), camera operator, set designer, tape editor, and system technician. Filmed hundreds of hours of educational and community video, edited the film stock (digitally and on tape), promoted the final production, and organized community events and receptions for large projects.

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  Illini Media

  Sept 2005 - Jul 2009

  Features writer, columnist

  Started as a beat writer for the Daily Illini from 2005-2006 school year at University of Illinois, then returned as a features writer from 2008-2009 school year. Concluded as a food and drink columnist for the buzz community magazine from April-July of 2009.

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  Sports Publishing, LLC

  Mar 2006 - Oct 2006

  Intern

  Began and concluded internship at "the largest sports publishing firm in United States" on recommendation from advisor. Was originally tasked with two books to develop with authors from initial deadline to post-production, and eventually contributed to several books, three of which were handled with little supervision. Worked closely with graphic design, and developed dust jackets, logos, graphics, and photography. Handled legal issues with consultants regarding author/photographer rights and responsibilities. Provided work schedule with authors and enforced deadlines and budgets. Show less

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  West Virginia University

  Mar 2010 - Mar 2012

  Research, contextual inquiry, design, office duties, resolved graduate student issues Developing books from proposal to print!

  • Graduate Assistant, Office of Graduate Education & Life

    Aug 2011 - Mar 2012

  • Editor

    Mar 2010 - Aug 2011
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  University of Wisconsin-Madison

  Jan 2011 - Jan 2012

  Researcher
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  Northern Illinois University

  Jul 2012 - now

  Teaching courses 103, 104, 203 in the Freshman Year Composition Program under Dr. Michael Day, director. Also part of the Networked Writing and Research Laboratory with mentor Eric Hoffman. Currently the student director of the FYCOMP Showcase of Student Writing and ACT preparation instructor for potential college students. Also directed the creative writing camp. PhD student in the rhetoric and composition through the English department, studying digital rhetoric, algorithmic rhetoric and digital humanities. I currently study coding through Harvard, I engage with faculty and staff via various media, and I assist with database, coding and media interests that benefit the university, students, and faculty. Various skills include new knowledge of PHP, PERL, C++, Scratch, SQL and HTML. I specialize in rhetoric, rhetorical agency, and algorithms.

  • Graduate Teaching Assistant

    Aug 2014 - now

  • PhD Student

    Jul 2012 - Dec 2019

  • PHD Candidate

    Jul 2012 - Sept 2019
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  Parkland College

  Apr 2017 - Dec 2018

  Marketing Manager, Community Education
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  Parkland College

  Sept 2019 - now

  • Instructor

    Aug 2019 - now

  • Adjunct Instructor

    Sept 2019 - now
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  University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

  Mar 2021 - now

  Assistant Director, Composition Program, ECE