Faculty

Ms. Cathy Coomer
Assistant Professor
KRSC-FM General Manager

Markham Hall
Room 134

918-343-7571
ccoomer@rsu.edu
Course Web Page

Education

M.A., Mass Communication, Public Relations emphasis
Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS
1993

B.A., Communication, Broadcasting sequence/Journalism minor
Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS
1982

Professional Experience

2009-Present
Assistant Professor, Department of Communications
Rogers State University, Claremore, OK

• Courses taught: Introduction to Mass Communication, Speech Communication, Broadcast Equipment & Operation, Audio Practicum, Audio Production, Video Practicum, Video Production, Radio-TV Announcing, Sports Broadcasting, Mass Media Communications, Writing for the Media, News Reporting, Communication Theory, Advanced Broadcast Practicum, Broadcast Internship, Media Sales and Advertising.

2004-Present
General Manager, KRSC-FM Real College Radio
Rogers State University, Claremore, OK

• Interpret & assign daily & long-term responsibilities and goals to station manager, part-time student workers, volunteers and students assigned as part of their class work.
• Responsible for yearly capital equipment requests, equipment research & recommendation, hiring of engineers for transmitter & equipment maintenance, annual budget  & underwriting in terms of producing new programming, coverage of sporting events and overall sales. Work with Student Activities & PR dept. to promote events & become the “voice” of RSU and city of Claremore.  Advise RSU Student Broadcasting Association chapter.

2004-2009
Instructor, Department of Communications
Rogers State University, Claremore, OK

• Courses taught: Introduction to Mass Communication, Speech Communication, Broadcast Equipment & Operation, Audio Practicum, Audio Production, Video Practicum, Video Production, Radio-TV Announcing, Sports Broadcasting, Mass Media Communications, Writing for the Media, News Reporting, Communication Theory, Advanced Broadcast Practicum, Broadcast Internship. 

1996-2003
Assistant Professor & Director of Broadcasting
Department of Communication
Pittsburg State University  Pittsburg, KS

• Developed curriculum/lecture materials for 12 undergraduate/graduate level broadcast production-emphasis courses.  Supervised operation of broadcasting lab 45-50 hours per week including purchasing, maintenance & training of VHS, S-VHS & non-linear computer editing, camcorders & digital cameras, television control room, analog & digital audio booth.  Supervised student-produced programs and taped replays of sporting events that air on campus cable channel.  Advised Student Association of Broadcasters chapter, numerous student activities, student internships & 70 Broadcasting emphasis majors. 
• Established underwriting campaign for sporting events, utilizing funds for Sports Broadcasting scholarships, Student Engineer salary & equipment purchases/repairs.
• Courses taught: :  Freshman Experience, Introduction to Audio & Video Production, Speech Communication, Broadcast Writing, Broadcast Announcing, Audio Production, Promotional Video, Television Production, Media Buying & Selling, Television Production II, Corporate Video Production, Broadcasting Internship.

Production/Promotion/Marketing

2005
Promotion Assistant, American Idol Season 4
American Idol Productions, FOX Interactive Media

• Hired for two days to work with AI crew & Season 4 runner-up Carrie Underwood from Checotah, OK to assist with her guest appearances, hometown parade, fan signings and FOX promotion for show.

Apr.-Jul., 2004
Production Assistant, The Contender (Reality Based Television)
DreamWorks Television LLC, NBC Television, Mark Burnett Productions

• Hired in Tulsa, OK as Production Asst. to enroll & verify status of each of the boxers’ status. Also worked with Frank Stallone & trainers in videotaping boxing matches & interviews. Continue working with group & traveled to Tunica, MS and Seattle, WA for additional city tryouts during summer 2004.

2002-2004
Executive Assistant/Publicist/Marketing & Distribution, Forever Brothers
Independent Film
Pittsburg, KS/Tulsa, OK

• Produced by PZ Production (Pittsburg, KS) in association with Darkwood Productions (Muskogee, OK) & Dolphin Bay Films (Tulsa, OK).
• Responsible for writing all press releases, setting up media interviews, photo shoots, media kits for press conferences & premieres.

Aug.-Dec., 2003
Marketing/Customer Service
Global Equipment Corporation, Joplin, MO

• Creating & implementing campaigns promoting both image and new product line through web brochures, advertisements and trade journal promotion for screen printing manufacturer as well as establishing distributor relations and customer base for future sales & growth of company. 

2002
Concert Coordinator/Publicity & Promotions, Spend an Evening with Peter Z, City of Pittsburg & Little Balkans Day Celebration

• Working with other co-promoter, organized all media promotion of event, worked with designer on posters & theme of concert, set up trade for tuxedo, floral arrangements, etc.  Assisted with underwriting for non-profit organization & students’ tuition costs.

Jun.-Sep., 1998
Publicity & Promotions, PSU Summer Theatre Program
Pittsburg, KS

• Working with department chair & directors, coordinated all media promotion for each production including selling underwriting from area vendors in order to produce individual programs for each play. 

Broadcast Promotions/Production/News

1990-1995
Promotions/Programming Mgr/Public Service Director, KOAM TV
Pittsburg, KS

• Produced & created all promotions through on-air broadcast, cable, radio, newspaper & billboards as well as public service for non-profit organizations. 
• Coordinated, produced & served as liaison for all station-sponsored events. 
• Managed Promotions & Programming budgets.

1987-1989
Commercial Producer

• Served as creative consultant during initial client conference.
• Wrote & produced all copy/storyboard ideas for client approval. 
• Served as producer/director during shoot & post-production.

1984-1987
News Producer,  KOAM TV
Pittsburg, KS

1983-1984
News Producer,  KYTV
Springfield, MO

• Met daily with news director, assignment editor & on-air talent to format 6pm & 10pm story rundown. 
• Coordinated all on-air graphics during post-production with technical director.
• Produced two 30-minute newscasts overseeing all key personnel including visual, audio, cameras & master control. 

1981-1983
Reporter/Producer, KOAM TV
Pittsburg, KS

• Wrote, edited & shot daily news stories including spot news, features, educational & political close-ups.
• Produced weekend 10 pm newscasts.

Volunteer Experience

1995-2002
Secretary/Board of Director/Grant Contractor/Fundraiser Coordinator
ARNOSK (AIDS Resource Network of Southeast Kansas)

• Held office as Secretary for all executive & regular board meetings; responsible for writing state grant quarterly reports totaling over $38,000
• Created & implemented all media and billboard promotion for fundraising events
• Produced educational video on HIV/AIDS for local & statewide distribution

Honors & Awards

• Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Film & Best Film Production Design, 2003, Forever Brothers (full-feature independent film)
• Script-2-Screen Grand Jury Award, 2002, Fighter’s Story (short student film)
• Barebones International Script-2-Screen Film Festival
• Nominated for PSU College of Arts & Sciences Excellence in Teaching award by departmental chair 2000
• PI KAPPA ALPHA “Teacher of the Year” award 2001
• ADDY Awards
• 15 Awards of Merit for station self-promotion, public service & specialty advertising, Joplin Area Ad Club 1989-1995
• Nominated “Woman of the Year”, Joplin March of Dimes 1992 & 1993
• Received “Best Newscast” producer award, United Press International 1985
• Awarded “Outstanding Young Women in America” 1985; Theta Alpha Phi Honor Fraternity 1982

Papers/Presentations/Creative Endeavors

• Attended summer workshop & received certification in Apple Final Cut Pro 5 Editing as part of on-going continuing education 2007
• Attended 2005 summer workshop & became certified in Grant Writing
• Produced promotional video on Olympic runner Billy Mills as part of Invited Speakers Series to university 2005
• Coordinated RSU Radio in conjunction with the RSU dorms “Thanks for Giving” canned food drive prior to Thanksgiving break 2005. Collected over 5,000 canned goods that were distributed to two non-profit food banks in area.
• Wrote & produced press releases and promotional announcements for these annual musical events: JamBand, MLK Week of Awareness, D-Fest, Tulsa Underground Festival, as well as the RSU Annual Scholarship Auction, Claremore’s annual Christmas parade, 4th of July, Humbug Days, Home & Garden Show and the Bluegrass & Chili Festival.
• Researched & co-wrote user-friendly “Welcome Guide” for all new in-coming PSU faculty & administration (revised yearly) 1999-2003
• Presented paper & video on “Setting up a Sports Broadcasting Program” to KS Speech Communication Association Annual Conference in Salina, KS 2001
• Organize annual PSU/KKOW FM Radio “Career Day” where students sell, write & produce commercials for on-air. All money raised used to purchase equipment  & award yearly KKOW scholarship (1996- present)
• Attendance of yearly KS Association of Broadcasters Student Seminar & Career Fair with students
• Attended Academy of Television Arts & Sciences College Awards in Los Angeles with student to receive regional award 1999
• Produced awards presentation video for annual PSU Classified Employees of the Year banquet 1997-2000
• Cast as “Aunt Rose” in department’s production of play “Tony and Tina’s Wedding” 1999.                                                              

Activities

• RSU Representative Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters 2004-present
• Oklahoma Broadcast Education Association member 2004-present
• Rogers Co., OK Big Brothers/Big Sisters Media Representative 2004-2005
• Broadcast Education Association member 1997-2003
• RSU Advisor Women in Communication 2006-present
• RSU Student Broadcasting Association 2004-present
• Kansas Association of Broadcasters affiliate member 1997-2003
• PSU Alumni Association 1982-present
• PSU Advisor Student Broadcasting Association 1997-2003
• Pittsburg Community Theatre Board of Directors 2002-2003
• Women in Communication 1982-1989
• Alpha Sigma Alpha social sorority 1978-1982
• PEO chapter member 1975-present