Rachel Cheeseman

Rachel Cheeseman

Staff Writer/Assistant News Editor

Followers of Rachel Cheeseman1000 followers
location of Rachel CheesemanLafayette, Indiana, Statele Unite Ale Americii

Connect with Rachel Cheeseman to Send Message

Connect

Connect with Rachel Cheeseman to Send Message

Connect
  • Timeline

  • About me

    Experienced program manager. Life and community enthusiast. Friend.

  • Education

    • DePauw University

      2008 - 2012
      BA Biology, Political Science; Philosophy

      Activities and Societies: Media Fellows; The DePauw; WGRE; Phi Beta Kappa; Pi Sigma Alpha; Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity Inc.; Campus Living and Community Development

    • The University of Chicago

      2016 - 2017
      Master of Arts - MA Political Science and Government

      I focused my studies on quantitative statistical methods as well as American legal history and social movements. My thesis research focused on trends in the response of the American judiciary to legal challenges in the area of voter suppression since the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

  • Experience

    • The DePauw

      Aug 2008 - Dec 2008
      Staff Writer/Assistant News Editor
    • The DePauw

      Feb 2009 - May 2009
      News Editor

      Direct content and co-ordinate writers for all stories in the news section and edit all stories for content, style and veracity.

    • The DePauw

      Aug 2009 - May 2010

      Direct content for the entire paper, proof all pages and stories for content, style and veracity and prepare final PDFs for publication. Direct content and co-ordinate writers for all stories in the opinion section and edit all stories for content, style and veracity.

      • Managing Editor

        Jan 2010 - May 2010
      • Opinion editor

        Aug 2009 - Dec 2009
    • Oregon Capitol News

      May 2010 - Aug 2010
      State House and Court Reporting Intern

      Covered Gov. Ted Kulongoski's budget forecast, including a $562 million dollar revenue shortfalland "reset" plan for 9% budget reductions across all state agencies-- Broke story on $84.5 million dollar overestimation of revenue from state cigarette taxes-- Wrote in-depth stories to expand upon briefs in mainstream media outlets on Oregon SupremeCourt rulings and localize United States Supreme Court rulings to Oregon state policy-- Wrote in-depth story on the environmental/economic impacts of new land-use strategy forOregon state forests and official re-evaluation of geothermal resourcesExtracurricular Activities Show less

    • Threeview GmbH

      Aug 2010 - Dec 2010
      Editorial Intern

      Compiled nomination materials for the European Patent Office's Inventor of the Year Award,including finalist Joshua Silver for affordable, adjustable prescription eyeglasses and winner AshokGadil for his portable water purification system; nomination materials stressed social andhumanitarian values of their contributions-- Prepared research dossiers on turbomachinery function and industrial gas production processes,requiring employ of background knowledge of physics, chemistry and biology-- Wrote speech for inauguration of first Atlas Copco Gas and Process facility in China-- Wrote and edited copy for press releases, case studies and wesbites of Microsoft Cyprus, TheLinde Group and Atlas Copco Gas and Process Show less

    • The DePauw

      Jan 2011 - May 2011
      Co-Chief copy editor

      Copy edit all content for AP style and veracity, assist in editorial board decision-making and assist in editorial writing.

    • Foundation for Individual Rights in Education; Philadelphia

      Jun 2011 - Aug 2011
      Research Intern

      -- Wrote blog posts for FIRE's blog, The Torch-- Provided support to social media team and created content for quarterly mailing-- Researched hundreds of campus speech codes, compiled data in easy-to-read Excel document-- Assisted in creating database of evidentiary standards and funding requirements for studentorganizations at universities

    • WGRE

      Jan 2012 - Aug 2012
      Host - "Follow the Story"

      I host a one hour, weekly radio show. The interview-based show focuses on a new issue each week and is as much a current position as an attempt to hone my skills as an interviewer.

    • The DePauw

      Feb 2012 - May 2012
      Columnist
    • Refugee Focus

      Aug 2012 - Aug 2013
      Public Communications Specialist -- AmeriCorps VISTA

      -- Guide creative direction and prepare content for the organization's new website-- Develop re-branding essentials including organization's new name, symbol and color palette-- Design and produce public and community outreach collaterals for potential donors, sponsors, and employers-- Coordinate with volunteer instructors and interpreters to facilitate initial orientations for new arrivals-- Record and capture volunteer hours to submit for matching grant, generating over $6,000 Show less

    • Iowa Council of Foundations

      Aug 2013 - Apr 2014
      Program Assistant, AmeriCorps VISTA Leader

      -- Liaise with VISTAs and site supervisors to support successful service terms for all members-- Provide logistical support for the annual Community Foundations CONNECT Networking Summit including preparation collateral and handouts and the moderation of a panel on effective use of Idea Implementation Grants-- Facilitate webinars on topics including legislative programs, effective grantmaking, and expectations of the professional environment-- Assist Iowa Council of Foundations in design and distribution of public and member outreach materials to promote quarterly meetings, educational opportunities, and provide network updates Show less

    • Arizona Community Foundation

      May 2014 - Jul 2016
      Regional Marketing Coordinator

      — Provide editorial and media relations support to six regional affiliates of Arizona Community Foundation, including regular guest op-editorial pieces in local publications— Develop script and creative direction for presentation on "business, purpose and philanthropy" by Chief Executive Officer at Carey Talks at the W.P. Carey School of Business— Assume ownership of special campaigns including promotion of Black Philanthropy Month, the Black Philanthropy Initiative Let's Make History Together campaign launch, and the promotion of the report Arizona Nonprofits: Economic Power, Positive Impact— Present the findings of Arizona Nonprofits economic vitality survey to the membership of Phoenix Young Nonprofit Professionals Network; announce the launch of the New Arizona Prize: Water Innovation Challenge at the University of Arizona Water Resources Research Council annual meeting— Promote grant cycles, distributions, and signature events for ACF's six regional affiliates in print and online media; manage social media strategy development, implementation for ACF and affiliates— Adapt Crescendo marketing templates to align with ACF brand standards and incorporate tonal imagery— Maintain and update website content including preparation of original news content for central office and statewide affiliates— Photograph ACF events and prepare follow-up content for online and social media platforms Show less

    • United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona

      Sept 2017 - Feb 2020

      Sustain and refine volunteer recruitment and training strategies to improve service delivery in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program.Develop a portfolio of programs to engage, educate and add value to corporate partners represented in United Way's workplace campaigns.Modernize and expand the services available to community members and nonprofit partners through United Way's volunteer center.Build the capacity of nonprofit partners' volunteer programs as a Service Enterprise trainer and coach.Build the capacity of nonprofit partners' financial stability programs through the training and placement of volunteer financial coaches, and support their continued education and development through a community of practice. Show less -- Assess the performance and effectiveness of United Way's volunteer matching platform-- Develop a business model and rehabilitation plan for the Volunteer Center at United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona-- Recruit, train and support a 150+ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Team-- Review and revise VITA trainings to improve volunteer experience and effectiveness-- Assess current strategies for engaging corporate partners and nonprofit agency partners; develop improvement plan(s) as necessary-- Coordinate targeted communications to VITA, corporate and community volunteer constituencies-- Become a certified Service Enterprise trainer Show less

      • Senior Manager of Volunteer Engagement

        Jun 2019 - Feb 2020
      • Volunteer Engagement Manager

        Sept 2017 - Feb 2020
    • Progressive Turnout Project

      Feb 2020 - Nov 2020
      District Operations Director

      Recruit and train a team of 30 full-time field representatives to contact high-potential voters and encourage their participation in the 2020 election; conduct interviews, evaluations and onboarding for 33 team membersEnsure timely and transparent information from regional and national leadership regarding personal protection and safety protocols to minimize exposure and contraction of COVID-19; ensure compliance with CDC-recommended guidelines for social distancing in the officeSupport FRs through program changes/adaptations to a dialer and letter-writing program, including support of fully remote team members in Texas, Oregon, and Yuma CountyAdvise team members on basic HR functions like insurance enrollment, PTO accruals and disciplinary proceedings, writing performance improvement plans as necessaryEnsure timely and accurate reporting of expenses and data entry into VAN of all mail-based voter contact; serve as primary office manager and track office inventory and shipments of technology, PPE, office supplies, canvass materials, and FR appreciation gifts Show less

    • United Way of Greater Lafayette

      Mar 2021 - now
      Community Impact Associate

      I work with my teammates to deliver United Way's community impact programs, including volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) for more than 1,800 individuals and families annually, a kindergarten readiness camp serving 163 pre-K students, an early literacy program that places more than 200 volunteers in local classrooms, and other programs as emergent needs in our community dictate.Special Projects:-- Led the transition of the Volunteer Center's community matching platform from Galaxy Digital to Golden Volunteer App-- Revamp recruitment and evaluation processes for United Way's own volunteer engagement through Golden-- Support the onboarding of more than 30 nonprofit partner organizations to begin recruiting volunteers-- Serve as a member of the organization's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee, as well as a member of the Tippecanoe Resilience and Recovery network and its Sober Social Events Committee-- Develop budget and community outreach tactics for Holiday Day of Action supply drives, recruiting more than $2,500 in in-kind donations for local seniors during the holiday season Show less

  • Licenses & Certifications

    • Advanced Income Tax Preparation

      Internal Revenue Service
      Jan 2023
    • Advanced Income Tax Preparation

      Internal Revenue Service
      Jan 2024
    • Community Leadership Program Graduate

      Leadership Lafayette
      Jan 2022
    • Advanced Income Tax Preparation

      Internal Revenue Service
      Jan 2021
  • Honors & Awards

    • Awarded to Rachel Cheeseman
      Gertude and G.D. Crain Foundation Award DePauw Universtiy apr. 2011
    • Awarded to Rachel Cheeseman
      J. David Hogue Reader's Digest Scholarship for Print Journalism DePauw Universtiy apr. 2011
    • Awarded to Rachel Cheeseman
      Gertude and G.D. Crain Foundation Award DePauw University apr. 2010
    • Awarded to Rachel Cheeseman
      Second Place in Breaking News Coverage Indiana Collegiate Press Association apr. 2009
    • Awarded to Rachel Cheeseman
      First Place in News Feature Story Indiana Collegiate Press Association
  • Volunteer Experience

    • Board of Directors, Member

      Issued by YWCA Greater Lafayette Foundation on Feb 2023
      YWCA Greater Lafayette FoundationAssociated with Rachel Cheeseman
    • Scholarship Application Reviewer

      Issued by Arizona Community Foundation on Apr 2023
      Arizona Community FoundationAssociated with Rachel Cheeseman
    • Food Rescuer

      Issued by Lafayette Urban Ministry on Mar 2023
      Lafayette Urban MinistryAssociated with Rachel Cheeseman
    • Concert Outreach Lead - Phoenix

      Issued by Oxfam America on Jan 2014
      Oxfam AmericaAssociated with Rachel Cheeseman
    • Casa Alitas Shelter Volunteer

      Issued by Catholic Charities of Arizona on Jan 2018
      Catholic Charities of ArizonaAssociated with Rachel Cheeseman
    • Phoenix Citizenship Instructor

      Issued by International Rescue Committee on Nov 2012
      International Rescue CommitteeAssociated with Rachel Cheeseman
    • Volunteer

      Issued by Food Banks on Sept 2012
      Food BanksAssociated with Rachel Cheeseman