Sara C Shoemaker
About Sara C Shoemaker
Sara C. Shoemaker serves as the Interim Media Relations Manager at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where she has worked since 2022. With a background in communication and journalism, she has extensive experience in media relations, having previously held roles at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and other organizations.
Current Role at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Sara C Shoemaker serves as the Interim Media Relations Manager at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) since 2022. In this role, she oversees media communications and public relations efforts, ensuring effective messaging for the laboratory's initiatives. She previously worked as a Media Relations/Science Writer at ORNL from 2016 to 2022, where she produced various content types, including feature articles, newsletters, and social media content.
Professional Background
Sara has a diverse professional background in media and communications. She worked as a Regional Reporter at BusinessTN.com from 2004 to 2010 and held positions at Duffey Communications and iLocus. Additionally, she served as the Corporate Communications Director at Eltrax Systems for a brief period in 2000. Her experience includes managing corporate marketing teams for high-tech companies in Atlanta, Georgia.
Education and Training
Sara studied at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she earned a degree in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs from 1993 to 1997. She has also completed business journalism workshops through the Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism in Arizona and participated in intensive science writing workshops led by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists.
Achievements and Recognition
Sara has received three Golden Press Card awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, including a Certificate of Excellence for her freelance reporting. She is a member of the National Association of Science Writers since 2017 and has attended seminars focused on communicating technical and financial information to general audiences.
Media Relations Expertise
At ORNL, Sara served as the primary media contact, facilitating timely responses to media inquiries and advising lab staff on effective communication strategies for non-technical audiences. She managed messaging for the Energy and Transportation Science Division, focusing on building technologies and transportation programs to reach targeted audiences.