2201 NW 122nd, Apt.

2313, Oklahoma City, OK 73120

(573)718-1924

silasallen@yahoo.com

Experience
Reporter higher education, general assignment
The Oklahoman, November 2011 present Nick Trougakos, Assistant Local Editor (405) 475-3229 ntrougakos@opubco.com Covered fallout from a series of alleged campus sexual assaults at Oklahoma State University and the university's decision not to notify police upon becoming aware of the assaults. An outside counselor hired by the university's governing board cited media coverage of the case, including my own, as a factor in policy changes the board adopted in response to the case. Followed Oklahoma State University's response to a plane crash that killed two women's basketball coaches and two university boosters. Served as a general assignment reporter, with an emphasis on military coverage. Followed a dispute between Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin and the U.S. Department of Defense regarding marriage benefits for same-sex spouses of Oklahoma National Guard members.

Reporter
Stillwater NewsPress, May 2010 November 2011 J.B. Bittner, Former Editor in Chief (580) 225-3000 Covered issues facing Oklahoma State University, including budget cuts due to decreased state appropriations Reported on a dispute between the students and the university administration at Langston University, a small historically black college in rural Langston, Okla. Covered school districts in Stillwater and the surrounding area. Major projects included coverage of a $61.5 million bond issue, school funding legislation and fallout from a bullying-related suicide.

Unit Public Affairs Representative

Missouri National Guard August 2008 May 2010 Maj. Tamara Spicer, Director of Public Affairs (573) 638-9500 tamara.spicer@us.army.mil Served as a liaison between National Guard units and members of the press and the public. Worked independently in the field, reporting on the efforts of Guard units during annual training missions, monthly drill weekends and state emergency duty. Coordinated coverage of events related to the Missouri National Guard headquarters.

News Intern
The Daily American Republic May 2007 August 2007 Stan Berry, Editor in Chief (573) 785-2706 sberry@darnews.com Provided a new angle on stories that had often been covered repeatedly due to the size of the community. Major projects included stories regarding irregularities in local fuel prices, local child abuse statistics and cases of a rare tick-borne illness

Education
University of Missouri Columbia Graduation Date: May 2008 Bachelor of Journalism

Skill Set
Trained in computer-assisted investigative reporting techniques Capable of providing quality photos to accompany all produced articles. Worked as part of a team to maintain a citizen-journalism web site. Assisted in videography and editing practices for web based news packages.