MARIE MIKA PhDwww.linkedin.com/in/mariemika | mariemika8@gmail.com | 614.783.2135

SOCIOLOGIST, QUALITATIVE AND USER RESEARCHER, EDUCATOR

I’m a Sociology PhD with 10+ years of experience in the traditional and virtual classroom, practitioner of qualitative methodologies and Designer in Residence at General Assembly. I draw on my strengths in education, public speaking, storytelling and qualitative/user research to amplify the course curriculum, hone and focus learning.

Outstanding communication skills: written, interpersonal, presentation, team dynamics Years of experience in higher education make me an asset to staff, faculty and

students Finely honed interview and ethnographic skills from years of empathic, attentive

listening

Areas of expertise include

Qualitative/User Research Data-Based PersonasEducation Management

TeachingStorytellingSketch

Writing and Editing EthnographyInterviews and Focus Groups

Selected Highlights

As General Assembly User Experience Design Student: Trained in design thinking, prototyping, interaction design, and visual design fundamentals. Areas of focus included user experience research, crafting relevant and effective personas, and powerful storytelling.

As Senior Lecturer at The Ohio State University: Extensively trained in theory and practice of qualitative research methods: interviews, focus groups, ethnography, and participant observation. Facilitated sociology classes of small discussion groups and massive lecture halls. Pioneer in e-learning, developed and facilitated award-winning online courses. Wrote and edited book manuscripts and academic journal articles.

Professional Experience

May 2015- Present: Designer in Residence, General Assembly, San Francisco, CAEnsure that User Experience Design students maximize their time and potential during immersive courses. Assist in crafting curriculum; give presentations on storytelling, qualitative/user research and changing careers; critique student presentations and portfolios.

February 2015 – Present: Consultant, Tech-enhanced Life, San Francisco, CA

“Marie is a highly skilled, professional, and eminently dependable writer, researcher, and editor. As the founder and publisher of VegNews I was blessed to have Marie take on the difficult role of senior editor.”

– Joseph Connelly, Founder and Publisher, VegNews Magazine

Analyze and evaluate Circle discussion (focus group) qualitative data for the purpose of product development.

Marie Mika - Page 2

February 2014 - November 2014: Senior Editor, VegNews MagazineSan Francisco, CAWorked from day one as sole member of editorial team, on an extremely tight budget, while organization experienced massive internal restructuring.

Managed entire remote editorial team, nurturing new and veteran writers to submit their best work. Ensured all writers met deadlines; advised on social media best practices.

Acquired major new talent, such as Chef Chloe and Chocolate-Covered Katie. Composed front of book content, including opener; feature stories, and back of book. Revised and ghostwrote feature stories on such varied topics as vegan weddings, farm

sanctuary women, and a day in the life of an award-winning food truck.

August 2008 - December 2013: Associate Instructor, Ashford UniversityInternetFacilitated student learning in an exclusively online, asynchronous format. Eased transition into higher education for traditionally challenged populations, such as working parents, the socioeconomically disadvantaged, and active military personnel on overseas bases.

Courses taught include Cultural Anthropology, Philosophy of Human Conduct, Social Gerontology, Social Problems, Sociology 101, and Psychology 202.

Edited and advised on book manuscripts on social science research, social gerontology, and social problems.

September 2001- June 2013: Graduate Student – Senior Lecturer, Ohio State University Columbus, OHFrom graduate student to Senior Lecturer, taught sociology classes for many years as a Buckeye. Early adopter of e-learning, pursued every professional opportunity possible on the pedagogy of online education. Earned prestigious Quality Matters approval for web-based courses. Facilitated seminars and brown bags on best practices in online learning, with attendees ranging from English graduate students to physics professors.

Created curricula for and facilitated all traditional and distance courses. Courses taught include Sociology 101, Honors Sociology 101, Social Problems,

Sociology of the Family, and Sociology of Sexuality. Prepared text, audio and video content for the web. Managed hundreds of students and multiple courses simultaneously. Trained in qualitative methods — interviews, focus groups, participant observation. Composed original scholarly research; reviewed book manuscripts and journal articles.

Education

User Experience Design Immersive, General Assembly, San Francisco, CA, 2015

Ph.D. in Sociology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 2009

M.A. in Sociology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

B.A. with Honors in Political Science, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL