PONO SUGANUMA

Strategic communicator with a desire to contribute superb skills to a prestigious organization.

SUMMER REPORTING INTERN

EDUCATION
B.S. Degree magna cum laude, Journalism May 2018
Utah State University, Logan, UT 3.85 GPA
Degree emphasis in public relations and corporate communications
Minor in International Studies

JOURNALISM WORK EXPERIENCE

Undergraduate Teaching Fellow – Media Smarts August 2017 – current
Department of Journalism & Communications at Utah State University, Logan, UT
 Serve as a resource and mentor for students in class
 Brainstorm and discuss lesson plans with professor
 Grade and provide constructive feedback on student assignments and projects
HNN Summer Intern Summer 2017
Hawaii News Now, Honolulu, HI
 Authored more than 20 articles published online and multiple scripts read on air
 Reported on a wide array of news topics (community, science, culture, etc.)
 Produced multimedia content for broadcast and online
Student Editor January – April 2017
Utah State News Service, Logan, UT
 Edited news writing students’ work for AP style and flow
 Brainstormed news stories and news sources with students
Student Intern and Contributing Writer Summer 2014
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa – Ka Leo Newspaper, Honolulu, HI
 Wrote five published articles on a variety of topics, one article featured on the issue cover
 Pitched story ideas in weekly editor meetings

JOURNALISM & RESEARCH PROJECTS

Curated well performing social media content on four platforms for public relations club
Conducted research on representation of native Hawaiians in movies for undergraduate thesis
Polynesians React to Moana’s Oscar Nominations and Soundtrack, class audio project featured on Utah Public
Radio (February 2017)
Covered international news impacting the Northern Utah as assigned beat for news writing class

JOURNALISM & MEDIA SKILLS

News Writing AP Style Confident Interviewer
Multimedia Reporting Photojournalism Compelling Public Speaker
Research & Fact Checking Social Media Expert in Microsoft Office

ACHIEVEMENTS & ACTIVITIES

Director of Public Relations, Utah State University Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America
 Create and develop multimedia content to promote the club
Diversity President & Ambassador, Utah State University
 Recruit multicultural and first-generation students to USU, represent diversity group on ambassador cabinet
Ambassador of the Year 2017, Utah State University
 Award given by professional development program that focuses on leadership, service and recruitment
Citizens Scholars Conference Presenter 2016, Utah State University
 Invited to present academic paper in conference and share research