Research, writing

The Region 16 Comprehensive Center, funded by the U.S. Department of Education in 2019 as part of a five-year grant cycle, supported State Education Agencies (SEAs) in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington with initiatives in literacy, Native education, and community engagement.

As the grant cycle ended in 2024 and the Department consolidated its centers from 19 to 13, Region 16 submitted a proposal to lead the newly formed Region 11 Comprehensive Center, serving Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.

I developed a comprehensive communications and engagement plan for the Region 11 Comprehensive Center (R11CC), prioritizing culturally sustaining, accessible, and inclusive communication strategies to engage diverse audiences across five states, including educators, families, Tribal leaders, and policymakers.

The plan leverages principles of targeted universalism and shared stewardship. It features strategic outreach, storytelling tactics, feedback mechanisms, and a robust communications toolkit to foster transparency, build trust, and drive equity-focused systems change.

While meeting the U.S. Department of Education's requirement for an academic writing style, I ensured the proposal aligned with Region 16's brand voice, blending accessible, engaging narrative with evidence-based approaches to craft a compelling yet research-backed communications and engagement plan.

An earlier, abbreviated version of this plan, which I expanded, was co-developed with Kristen Jaudon of Educational Service District 113; Kristen also handled the branding and design for the R11CC proposal.