Resume

World Food Policy Center - Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University (Durham, NC)

Communications Strategist 2018 to present

Trinity College of Arts & Sciences - Duke University (Durham, NC)

Associate Dean for Communications 2012 to 2018

Enhanced the public profile and operations of the school through a comprehensive communications strategy. Designed and implemented website content strategies targeted at recruiting students and promoting faculty research for 32 departments across the fields of arts & humanities, natural sciences and social sciences. Increased the time website users spend engaging with content instead of searching.

Improved the relationship of administration with faculty and staff and reduced competition between units by recognizing employee accomplishments and providing transparent communication about school decisions and directions.

Contributed to school revenue by redesigning Duke's Continuing Studies e-commerce website and leveraging deep knowledge of faculty research and educational programs to create compelling donor proposal and stewardship content.

Boosted school operational effectiveness by facilitating diverse teams and developing school-wide policies and procedures.

Pratt School of Engineering - Duke University (Durham, NC)

Director of Communications 2003 to 2012

Boosted national ranking of Duke's engineering programs by showcasing hands-on learning in peer communications and student recruitment materials, and through media relations that garnered national coverage of research accomplishments. Raised the bar in all areas of audience outreach--so much so our "competitors" called for advice.

Designed and produced a highly effective suite of integrated marketing and communications print and web-based tools to recruit and retain students and faculty, influence external peers, and promote alumni giving. Managed a web infrastructure of more than 140 websites. Managed a budget of more than $340,000 and a staff of four.

Earned a Grand Prize Award of Excellence in the magazine category from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, Southeast Division.

Science Magazine, ScienceNOW

Contributing Correspondent - Freelance (2001-2004)

URL: www.sciencemag.org/author/deborah-hill

Authored more than 65 news articles for Science Magazine’s online news service and earned a reputation as the ‘go to’ person for short deadline turnaround. Covered science topics ranging from neuroscience to ecology to paleontology.

Lockheed Martin, Idaho National Laboratory (Idaho Falls, ID)

Communications Liaison, Energy, Science and Technology Directorate 2001-2003

Raised the visibility and enhanced the reputation of the laboratory through compelling science writing that communicated the value and significance of its research. Leveraged media coverage into more than $2 million in technology use licenses for a novel material. Selected for my writing skill to prepare and edit the company’s strategic plan. Awarded Idaho Press Club First Place recognition for news writing.

Lockheed Idaho, Idaho National Laboratory (Idaho Falls, ID)

Program Coordinator, Laboratory Discretionary Research & Development Program 1994-2001

Cultivated a media relations culture change to market the national laboratory's most valuable product—research that matters. Co-launched a science media internship program with the UC-Santa Cruz Science Communications Program. Supervised, mentored and edited genuinely brilliant science writing interns who now work for the Washington Post, Science Magazine, and the American Chemical Society. Exposure to object oriented programming language in database design.

Westinghouse Idaho Nuclear Company, Idaho National Laboratory (Idaho Falls, ID)

Procedures Writer, Idaho Chemical Processing Plant 1992-1994

Wrote and managed operating procedures during start up, operations and shut down of spent nuclear fuel processing facility. Chosen for Six Sigma task force to revise site-wide procedure writing process. Recognized with an Outstanding Employee award. It was fascinating to learn how the chemical processes work, explore applied engineering and learn about environmental protection regulations.