Grace McKevitt

847-857-1139 ✷ grmckevitt@gmail.com ✷ Arlington Heights, IL

       open to relocating

Education

✷ Bachelor of Journalism - Strategic Communications

University of Missouri School of Journalism

✷ Bachelor of Political Science 

University of Missouri College of Arts & Science

✷ Certificate of Honors

University of Missouri Honors College

Creative Experience

Graphic Designer - AdZou Student Advertising Agency 

Columbia, MO.     January 2021 – May 2022

  • Researched, identified, and expanded target audience of capstone client: The Prison Journalism Project

  • Collaborated on situation analysis, primary research survey, in-depth interviews, and “big idea” concept 

  • Completed rebrand of PJP’s Instagram

  • Included fully executed grid posts, stories, highlights as well as tutorials, templates, and trend analysis 

  • Designed unique PJP advertisements for newspapers, billboards, LinkedIn, and Instagram

  • Crafted 80-page PJP strategic plan book in Adobe InDesign 

  • Logged 163 of team’s 400 total hours

Policy Editor - Missouri Student Environmental Change Coalition

Columbia, MO.     August 2021 – December 2021

  • Conducted primary and secondary research evaluating the status of renewable and nuclear energy in Missouri

  • Contacted state and local officials advocating on behalf of clean energy solutions

  • Wrote issue briefs, decision memos, final design analysis, and letters to legislators

  • Visualized data from Change Coalition’s primary research findings 

PR Copywriting Intern - Kids Win Missouri 

Kansas City, MO.     August 2020 – December 2020

  • Conducted secondary research about the non-profit donor pool and target audience 

  • Launched a public awareness campaign with the tagline “You are your child’s first advocate, let us be the second.” 

  • Wrote press releases and editorial pitches to expand earned media 

  • Created promotion graphics, visualized data, and wrote press releases 

  • Kids Win Missouri saw a 13% increase in donations following the campaign

Strategic Communications Intern - Natalie G. Tatum Creative Consulting 

Remote.    April 2020 – August 2020

  • Created original social media content for seven clients, including retail, fashion and blogging brands

  • Developed and maintained a consistent social media posting schedule via TailWind for seven clients up to three months in advance on Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter

  • Expanded primary client’s Pinterest following by 32% and secondary client’s Pinterest following by 18%

  • Conducted client outreach and signed three new clients to Natalie G. Tatum

Work Experience

Bartender & Server - 1839 Taphouse 

Columbia, MO.     April 2019 – Present

  • Trained over 40 new staff members and developed solidified training outlines and server quizzes 

  • Conducted first-round front-of-house staff interviews and recruited prospective employees 

  • Sustained long-term relationships with over 200 customers

  • Created the brand’s first social media presence, launching an Instagram and Facebook page 

  • Cultivated over 700 Instagram followers in first 30 days of launch

Fine Dining Server - Le Colonial                     

Lake Forest, IL.      September 2022 - January 2023

  • Attended rigorous kitchen and wine training sessions, learning how the food and beverages are sourced and prepared

  • Served 3-course meals, wine, and cocktails to  private parties of up to 14 in the VIP “Lotus Room”

  • Filleted two pound snappers, flambéed homemade chocolate cake and provided wine service at the table

A Diverse Skillset

  • ✷Adobe Creative Suite

    ✷InDesign

    ✷Illustrator

    ✷Photoshop

    ✷Procreate Digital Illustration

    ✷Squarespace

  • ✷Investigative news research

    ✷Data visualization

    ✷Keyword research

    ✷Situation analysis

    ✷SWOT analysis

  • ✷Audience-specific copy

    ✷Digital strategy

    ✷Creative writing

    ✷AP style

    ✷Persuasive strategy

    ✷Social media captioning

  • ✷Advocacy writing

    ✷Passion-driven persuasion

    ✷Case brief analysis

    ✷Written testimony

    ✷Coalition design analysis

  • ✷Pinterest SEO

    ✷Caption writing

    ✷Tik Tok and Instagram Reels trends

    ✷Hashtag optimization

    ✷Instagram geofencing