Catherine Dehdashti
1207 Spoonbill Circle, Eagan, MN 55123
651-329-2427, cdehdashti@gmail.com, Twitter @cdehdashti
SUMMARY
A writer and communicator with thoughtful energy, a focus on audience, and a love for stories
EXPERIENCE
Public Relations Manager/Writer – University of Minnesota Extension
April 1996 to Present (promoted through six positions)
Public Relations / News Media
- Editorial channel and calendar management
- Story development and writing
- Source magazine management – editorial, production, distribution
- News media pitches and responding
Organizational Marketing
- Stakeholder research for audience-driven strategies
- Marketing materials – print and digital advertising, brochures, presentations, promotional gifts, wearables, signage, displays, exhibits
- Website homepage features
- Brand rejuvenation
- Events – State Fair, trade shows, presence at sporting events
- Vendor management
- Photo/art direction
- Employee professional development and training
Educational Material Development
- Team/vendor/client work flow
- Instructional design & presentations
- Curriculum marketing plans
- AP, ADA, MLA, and Chicago styles
Additional Experience – Freelance writer
- Author, print and ebooks: production, self-publishing, marketing campaign
- Topics: Food, cooking, home, garden, parenting
- Essay – creative and persuasive
EDUCATION
Master of Liberal Studies - Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature
Bachelor of Arts - Mass Communications
University of Minnesota
Mini-MBA for Nonprofit Organizations
Center for Business Excellence, University of St. Thomas
INVOLVEMENT
U of M Communicators Forum, Academic Communicators of Excellence, NAADA, Loft Literary Center, Screened youth volunteer, academic test administration
SKILLS
Social
Blogs
Facebook, Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest
Snapchat
Delicious
YouTube
Software, etc.
MS Office - Word/PPt/ Excel
Google Apps & Analytics
Adobe InDesign, Acrobat
Video shooting/editing
Surveys
Mass email
Wordpress
CMS / Drupal
SEO
CMS / Drupal
SEO
Selection of Catherine Dehdashti’s Published Articles & Videos
A note about my book:
A lifelong dream, I managed all aspects of publishing and promoting Roseheart, a novel, as a print and electronic book. I learned so much and was very fulfilled in this endeavor, but remain a dedicated communications professional.
Writing & Video for education
Small grains, big benefits. Source (U of M Extension magazine) Summer 2016, p. 3-4
Strengthening Minnesota’s global Network. Source (U of M Extension magazine) Winter 2016, p. 3-4
Research Highlights. Source (U of M Extension magazine) Winter 2016, p. 8-9 http://www.extension.umn.edu/source/winter-2016/research-highlights/
Connecting across the Red River Valley. Source (U of M Extension magazine) Spring 2015, p. 4
Meeting the challenges of today’s agriculture. Source (U of M Extension magazine) Fall 2014 p. 4-5
Growing healthier food: High tunnels extend Minnesota’s growing season. Source (U of M Extension magazine) Winter 2013, p. 2 http://www.extension.umn.edu/source/winter-2013/high-tunnels-extend-minnesotas-growing-season
Reaching more farmers through ag professionals. Source (U of M Extension magazine)
Winter 2013, p. 2 http://www.extension.umn.edu/source/winter-2013/reaching-more-farmers-through-ag-professionals
13 Moons: Natural resources education inspires culture and community. Source (U of M Extension magazine) Winter 2013, p. 2
New ways for old terrain: Agroforestry. Source (U of M Extension magazine) Fall 2011; p. 2 www.extension.umn.edu/source/fall-2011/new-ways-for-old-terrain
Emerald ash borer threatens ecology of Minnesota’s forests. Source (U of M Extension magazine) Fall 2010; p. 8 www.extension.umn.edu/source/fall-2010/emerald-ash-borer
Video: Supporting youth through Operation Military Kids. U of M Extension, February 24, 2011 http://bit.ly/wrQLzh
Video: Researching shoreland plants and climate change. U of M Extension, November 29, 2011 http://bit.ly/w57FM4
Video: Growing Healthy Eating Habits. U of M Extension, September 13, 2010 http://bit.ly/A5REdF
Easy growing: The 2010 Minnesota Gardening Calendar. Source (U of M Extension magazine) Fall/Winter 2009; p. 12
Timely topics reach people online. Source (U of M Extension magazine) Fall/Winter 2009; p. 9
The plot thickens: turf specialist Bob Mugaas cuts a wide swath through Minnesota. Source (U of M Extension magazine) Winter 2009; p. 9
Extension celebrates Centennial anniversary—and you’re invited. Source (U of M Extension magazine) Winter 2009; p. back page
A summer to discover: Interns add ideas and energy. Source (U of M Extension magazine) Fall 2008; p. 9
Alcohol 101: Class intended to curb substance abuse. Source (U of M Extension magazine) Fall 2008; back page
Healthy eating in a new land: Extension nutrition educators use hands-on approach to bridge Somali culture and American society. Source (U of M Extension magazine) Spring/Summer 2008; p. 8
Fresh ideas for your garden online. Source (U of M Extension magazine) Spring/Summer 2008; back page
Strengthen your family life: Step away from the nitpicking. Source (U of M Extension magazine) Winter 2008; p. 1
No longer lost in translation: Extension serves up food safety success, in Spanish. Source (U of M Extension magazine) Winter 2008; p. 8
Radon radar: Extension reduces risks posed by dangerous radon gas. Source (U of M Extension magazine) Winter 2008; p. 9
Need winter relief? Source (U of M Extension magazine) Winter 2008; p. 1
Bienvenue au voisinage d’Eastside! (Welcome to the Eastside Neighborhood!) Quoi de neuf? L’Etoile du Nord French Immersion. Volume 10, Issue 4 May 2006; p. 5.
News feature articles on food, literature, and culture
In a Caribbean state of mind. Star Tribune. April 19, 2012; p. T4. http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/taste/147967815.html
Ooh la la! French-American cuisine with a Persian accent. Star Tribune. January 19, 2012; p. T4. http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/taste/137599018.htm
Sweets of Araby: Scholarly authors serve up Middle Eastern desserts. Star Tribune. November 23, 2011; p. T3 www.startribune.com/lifestyle/134412958.html
A Persian feast for the New Year. Star Tribune. March 30, 2011, p. T1 www.startribune.com/lifestyle/taste/118920289.html
Mother dominates 'Reading Lolita' author's second memoir. Gather.com. January 9, 2009. http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977558759
Mother dominates 'Reading Lolita' author's second memoir. Gather.com. January 9, 2009. http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977558759
Teen makes food presentations really sing. Star Tribune. April 13, 2006; p. T1.
Getting Picky about Olives. Buon Gusto. Volume 8, issue 5. September, 2004; p. 5
Golden Treasure: Thread by thread, saffron strands give food the color of sunshine. Star Tribune. March 27, 2003; T1
Organic farmers yield time-tested food. Star Tribune. January 1, 2004; p. T1.
Little touches enliven fare for hospital cook. Star Tribune. September 11, 2003.
Student life sent him on hunt for good food: his surefire solution was to cook. Star Tribune. June 12, 2003; p. T9.
She’s a party to good food. Star Tribune; p. T2
Hungry man takes on challenge. Star Tribune. November 7, 2002
California cultivated her respect for organic food. Star Tribune. January 31, 2002
Sense of adventure spices up festive menu. Star Tribune. December 13, 2001: p. T2.
Essays
Best fish tacos in San Diego, please. Hold the kids. Salon.com Open Salon blog post. March 9, 2013. http://open.salon.com/blog/catherine_dehdashti/2013/03/09/best_fish_tacos_in_san_diego_please_hold_the_kids
Europe with kids: Reality irks. Salon.com Open Salon blog post. September 9, 2012. http://open.salon.com/blog/catherine_dehdashti/2012/09/08/europe_with_kids_reality_irks
Teaching the kids to roll their own. Salon.com Open Salon blog post. April 24, 2012 http://open.salon.com/blog/catherine_dehdashti/2012/04/23/letting_the_kids_roll_their_own
Sex, pirates, and Babette Col. Salon.com Open Salon blog post. December 10, 2011 http://open.salon.com/blog/catherine_dehdashti/2011/12/09/sex_pirates_and_babette_cole
(Editor’s Pick) Kotex ad was a launch pad to different teen talk. Salon.com Open Salon blog post. April 8, 2011. http://open.salon.com/blog/catherine_dehdashti/2011/04/07/kotex_ad_was_a_launch_pad_to_different_tween_talk
Why pick plastic and concrete over sand and trees? Star Tribune. April 26, 2006; p. S2.
An invitation to buy or befriend. Midwest Home & Garden, a supplement to Minnesota Monthly. March 2004: p. 122
Rebuilding a house—and a friendship. Star Tribune. p. HG3.
Maman’s herbs seeded hope for family life. Star Tribune. May 30, 2002; p. HG3
Presentations and Teaching
Dehdashti, Catherine. Working with news media to promote your program. Regularly updated and delivered this presentation for U of M Extension faculty. 2010-2012.
Dehdashti, Catherine and Wendy Huckaby . Write What You Mean. Presentation on business writing to Minnesota 4-H staff. St. Cloud, MN, February 4, 2008.
Dehdashti, Catherine and Neil Anderson. Have Extraterrestrials Pay You to Do Your Job: The Program Sponsorship Model, U of M Extension Experiences With Corporate and Small Business Sponsors. ACE Annual Conference in Albuquerque, NM, May 13, 2007.
Dehdashti, Catherine and Kathy Johnson. Reaching New Audiences. Presentation to Minnesota 4-H staff. St. Cloud, MN, January 31, 2006
Anderson, Neil, George Morse , Catherine Dehdashti and Anita Dincesen. Public Value. Presentation to U of M Extension staff.” St. Paul, June 28, 2006
Viniard-Weideman, Aimee and Catherine Dehdashti, Marketing Youth Development. Presentation to U of M Extension Youth Development Staff. St. Cloud, MN, January, 2005.
Writing for Newsletters. Presentation to U of M Extension staff, Lamberton, Minnesota, February, 2004
Developing a Marketing Communications Plan presentation to University of Minnesota Youth Development faculty and staff. St. Cloud, MN, January, 2003.
GRAD 8101, Teaching in Higher Education. Class session on Formative and Summative Methods in the Assessment of Learning. Summer, 2006
GRAD 8101, Teaching in Higher Education. Interactive lecture on Truth in Degree: Written Memoir. Summer, 2006
L’Etoile du Nord Elementary School, St. Paul, MN. Volunteer Teacher – Art Adventures 2005-Present. Lead periodic experiential learning sessions related to works of art from the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the Walker Art Museum; co-lead painting activities. Classroom size is 24-27 students.
