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Revised 3/29/16 CV of Samra Jones Bufkins, MJ, APR page 1
SAMRA JONES BUFKINS, MJ, APR Lecturer, Strategic Communications
Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism University of North Texas
1155 Union Circle #311460
Denton, Texas 76203-5017
Office: 940-565-2167
Cell: 214-708-5653
http://about.me/samrabufkins
EDUCATION
1987 Master of Journalism North Texas State University, December 1987
Public Relations major/Marketing minor. William Richardson Memorial Scholarship
recipient.
1977 Bachelor of General Studies University of Kentucky, May 1977
Concentration in Radio/TV/Film; Journalism; English Literature
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
1996 Accredited in Public Relations Public Relations Society of America
July 1996 (renewed every three years)
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
Jan. 2010—Present Lecturer Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism
2009 Adjunct Professor Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism
1986—1987 Graduate Teaching Assistant Department of Journalism
North Texas State University
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2013—2015 Strategic4Sight, Dallas, Texas (part-time)
Public Relations and social media consultant to nonprofit organizations
2006-2010 Southridge Communications Consultants, Denton, Texas
Owner and principal strategic communications consultant
Revised 3/29/16 CV of Samra Jones Bufkins, MJ, APR page 2
2002-2005 CenterPoint Energy, Houston, Texas (formerly a division of Reliant Energy)
Communications Manager, Governmental Affairs and Regulatory Operations
1999-2002 Reliant Energy, Houston Texas
Project Manager, Delivery Group Public Affairs
1997-1999 Brown Nelson Public Relations, Houston Texas
Senior Account Executive
1993-1997 Galveston Bay Foundation, Webster, Texas
Public Affairs and Outreach Director
1990-1993 Texas Water Commission, Houston Texas
Public Participation Director, Galveston Bay National Estuary Program
1988-1990 Hermann Hospital, Houston Texas
Associate Director of Development and producer, Children's Miracle Network Telethon
1986-1987 North Texas State University Journalism Department
Teaching Assistant, Advertising
1985-1986 KDAF-TV, Dallas Texas
Writer, promotions department
1982-1985 King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Special Projects Manager and Technical Writer, Royal Cabinet Engineering Office
1981-1982 RCA VideoDisc, Indianapolis Indiana
Quality Assurance Manager, Video Mastering
1979-1981 WTHR-TV, Indianapolis Indiana
Assistant Director of Public Affairs & on-air talent
1977-1979 WTHR-TV Indianapolis, Indiana
Film Director
1977-1977 WTVQ-TV, Lexington, KY
Film Editor
1975-1977 WLEX-TV Lexington, KY
Internships--studio production crew, on-air talent
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
June 2015 Teachapalooza! Three-day workshop focusing on digital journalism and teaching techniques.
Poynter Institute, St. Petersburg, Florida.
June 2015 How to Flip your Class: Best Practices for Educators. Online webinar, Poynter Institute.
Ongoing TREE (Teaching Resources for Engaged Educators) Program, focusing on 10 proficiencies in
teaching, including digital course design and management. Three levels (introductory,
intermediate and advanced) for each teaching proficiency are offered. Have completed the
introductory level of all 10 and am working to complete all 30 modules in order to earn NexGen
course redesign certification.
Revised 3/29/16 CV of Samra Jones Bufkins, MJ, APR page 3
April 2015 UNT University Forum on Teaching and Learning. Half-day seminar focused on learning
analytics.
Feb. 2012 Explore Dallas: Digital Marketing and Public Relations Conference presented by Social Media
Explorer.
May 2010 Public Relations Measurement Workshop with measurement expert and consultant Katie Delahaye
Paine. PRSA Fort Worth.
2005—2015 Participation in (and presenter in 2008 and 2009) Dallas PRSA Communications Summit, a full-
day professional development and networking conference. Annual event in the fall.
Ongoing Regular attendance at meetings of the Dallas and Fort Worth chapters of the Public Relations
Society of America as well as events and seminars related to social media, public relations,
marketing communications and digital communications. Attendance enhances knowledge of
current industry trends as well as providing networking opportunities to identify potential guest
speakers, internship opportunities, and partnerships with the Mayborn School of Journalism.
When possible I take students to these events with me to expose them to professionals in the DFW
Metroplex.
CLASSES TAUGHT AND DEVELOPED
Fall 2013 Overhauled Jour 3410, Public Relations for Nonprofits, to be more of a survey course suitable for
the large number of non-journalism majors enrolled. Students work with actual nonprofit clients to
perform a communications audit and create a communications plan. Students also examine case
studies and are introduced to social media. Nonprofit governance, organizational communications,
working with volunteers, and other concepts unique to the nonprofit sector are covered.
2011--present Developed the first strategic social media course taught at UNT (Jour 4270, meets with Jour 5330
for graduate students), introducing students to the strategic uses of social media in journalism,
public relations, and advertising. Combining theory and practice, students have the opportunity to
develop expertise in multiple social media platforms, business strategies and tactics, and social
media ethics. Guest speakers keep the content current and challenge students with “real world”
exercises in analytics, SEO, and content curation. The course is a combined
undergraduate/graduate course, and graduate students are required to complete and present
research projects on evolving social media issues.
2010--present Jour 4460, Public Relations Communications, is the capstone course for public relations majors.
Students are required to blog weekly, prepare traditional and social media products for individual
clients, and work in groups to develop a comprehensive public relations campaign for a client
chosen by the instructor. Emphasis is on strategic planning and advanced writing. The course also
includes a portfolio review (added in 2013) designed to prepare graduating seniors for the job
market. Course content is re-vamped regularly to reflect current trends in the public relations field,
and work is a continuation of work begun in Jour 3420.
2010—present Overhauled Jour 4470, Ethics, Law and Diversity for Strategic Communications, to include
criteria qualifying the course as a university core capstone course. Emphasizing ethical decision-
making, content includes case studies, real-time decision making, legal requirements of the
profession and diversity issues faced by strategic communications professionals. Originally
required only for public relations majors, the course was re-vamped in 2011 when it became a
required course for advertising majors as well.
2010—2012 Taught Jour 3420, Public Relations Writing, which is the first PR writing class in the curriculum.
An introduction to working with clients, students write various traditional and social media
collaterals for a client of their choice. Course content is regularly updated and coordinated with
Jour 4460 so that each assignment builds on previous knowledge.
Revised 3/29/16 CV of Samra Jones Bufkins, MJ, APR page 4
2009—present Jour 5120, (formerly Jour 5100, Cases in Public Relations) Seminar in Strategic Public Relations,
is a graduate survey course in public relations theory and practice with emphasis on strategic
planning, crisis communications and social media. Working with actual clients, students develop a
strategic communications plan in addition to research and study of contemporary topics in public
relations.
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
2010—2012 Graduate Certificate Program in Public Relations
Developed and obtained approval for a 15 hour graduate certificate in public relations targeted
toward professional journalists, public relations practitioners, educators, authors, writing
instructors, editors and researchers currently working in the media, public relations, advertising or
business arena with an interest in or responsibility for public relations.
ACADEMIC AWARDS
2014 University Honors Professor—Awarded by the Student Government Association at Spring Honors
Day to a faculty member nominated by students for contributions to student success.
2014 President’s Community Engagement Honor Roll—recognized for 2013 service to the community
2013 Soaring Eagle Award for going “above and beyond” the call of duty (nominated by advisors in the
College of Arts & Sciences)
2010—2013 Cited by graduating students as “a faculty member who served as a source of support and
inspiration” at UNT Honors Day.
PROFESSIONAL AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
2001 Excalibur Award for Outstanding Corporate Video Production “Wetland Habitat Protection”
PRSA Houston Chapter
2001 Excalibur Award for Outstanding Internal Publication “Electric Deregulation and You”
PRSA Houston Chapter
2001 Reliant Energy Volunteer of the Year
1996 Outstanding Magazine/Journal “Galveston Bay Soundings”
Women in Communications, Houston Chapter
1989 Outstanding Speechwriting Award “George H. Hermann Society Inaugural Event”
Women in Communications, Houston Chapter
MEMBERSHIPS & OFFICES HELD
1988—present Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Earned Accreditation (APR) in 1996
2006—present Member of both Greater Dallas and Fort Worth PRSA Chapters
2010—present PRSA Educators Academy
2010—present Faculty Advisor, UNT PRSSA Chapter
2011—2014 PRSA Dallas Chapter Ethics Officer
2010—2011 PRSA National Accreditation Marketing Committee
Revised 3/29/16 CV of Samra Jones Bufkins, MJ, APR page 5
2007—2010 PRSA Dallas Accreditation Chair
23 members accredited under my leadership & mentoring
1997—1999 PRSA Houston Chapter Program Chair
2015—present Online News Association
2014—present UNT Women’s Faculty Network
2008—present Dallas Press Club
2000 Leadership Houston Class XVIII
1999—2009 Galveston Bay Foundation board, including executive committee member 1999—2005.
1987—present Kappa Tau Alpha, Journalism Honorary Society
SERVICE TO ACADEMIA
2011 Draft reviewer: Reference Groups, Mob Mentality, and Bystander Intervention: A
Sociological Analysis of the Lara Logan Case Elaine Replogle, PhD, University of Oregon.
Sociological Forum, Vol. 26, No. 4, December 2011
SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY/MAYBORN SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM
Standing committees 2014—Present Member, Mayborn Alumni & Advancement Committee (Chair 2014-2015)
2014—Present Member, Mayborn Space & Technology Committee
2015—Present Member, Mayborn Scholarship Committee
2012--2013 Member, Journalism Undergraduate Curriculum Committee
2011--2013 Member, Journalism Scholarship/Research Committee
2010--2013 Member, Journalism Assessment/Accreditation Committee
2010--2013 Member, UNT Publications Committee
2009--2012 Member, Journalism Alumni and Advancement Committee
Search committees 2015 Chair, Search Committee for Lecturer, Public Relations
2013—2014 Chair, Search Committee, Director of Journalism, Mayborn School of Journalism
2013—2014 Member, Search Committee, Digital News Lecturer
2011--2012 Member, Search Committee, Strategic Communications lecturer
2011--2012 Member, Search Committee, Strategic Communications senior lecturer
2010 Member, Search Committee, Advertising lecturer
Special projects/committees/organizational advising 2015 Managed social media campaign to endow a scholarship honoring Dr. Roy Busby upon his
retirement, raising more than $35,000 in five weeks.
2010--present Adviser, Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)
2015 Informal adviser to URCM regarding social media during a crisis involving coordinated online
attacks to the School of Journalism and the University.
2015—present Appointed by the dean to assist with strategic social media planning and content development.
2013 Social Media audit and plan for the Mayborn School of Journalism (requested by the dean)
2013--present Faculty Adviser, Alpha Tau Omega fraternity
2012--present Social Media Adviser to the NT Daily
2012--present Social Media and PR Adviser to Swoop (student-managed advertising and PR agency)
2011--present Social Media and PR Adviser to Gravitas (Ad Team)
Revised 3/29/16 CV of Samra Jones Bufkins, MJ, APR page 6
STUDENT PROJECTS BENEFITING THE COMMUNITY
2010—Present Students in Journalism 3420 (PR Writing), Journalism 4460 (PR Communications), Journalism
5120 (Graduate Seminar in Strategic Public Relations) and Journalism 3410 (PR for Nonprofits)
choose a non-profit organization to work with and perform all writing projects for during the
semester. Journalism 4270/5330 students must choose a small business or nonprofit organization
to work with and develop a strategic social media communications program. To date an estimated
325 local, regional and national nonprofit organizations and government agencies have worked
with students, along with more than two dozen small businesses. This number continues to grow
and organizations now seek us out for assistance with their public relations and social media
planning.
2016 (Spring) North Texas Municipal Water District.
Facilitated class project for a regional water authority experiencing unprecedented growth,
increasing infrastructure costs, and resistance from local governments to assist in paying for water
delivery infrastructure. Students were charged with helping to communicate “the value of water,”
including the reasons for rising water bills and the need for water conservation.
2015 (Fall) Carter BloodCare
Facilitated class project for a regional blood donation organization focused on increasing blood
donations by targeted minorities.
2015 (Spring) UNT Division of Student Affairs Distinguished Lecture Series
Facilitated class project to re-vamp publicity programs for the university-wide lecture series open
to the public.
2014 (Fall) City of Denton Economic Development Office.
Facilitated class project developing strategies for local businesses suffering through major
construction and redevelopment of the East Hickory Street Entertainment District.
2014 (Spring) Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Dallas
Facilitated class project developing communications plan focused on combining and promoting
various fundraising walks throughout the DFW Metroplex
2013 (Fall) City of Denton Parks & Recreation Department
Facilitated class project developing communications plan for recreation centers.
2013 (Summer) North Texas Daily
Facilitated class project developing social media strategies for the student publication
2013 (Spring) Opera on Tap/UNT College of Music
Facilitated class project to brand start-up classical music organization
2012 (Fall) Downtown Denton Association/Denton Economic Development Office
Facilitated class project developing communications plan for the Downtown Arts District and
proposed Denton Walk of Fame.
2012 (Spring) Downtown Denton Association/Denton Economic Development Office
Facilitated class project developing program to brand downtown Denton as "more than the
square."
2011(Fall) USAA
Facilitated class project developing branding program for a new financial services product
(confidentiality agreements required by client)
Revised 3/29/16 CV of Samra Jones Bufkins, MJ, APR page 7
2011(Spring) Denton County Transportation Authority
Facilitated class project developing branding program targeted at students, faculty and staff of
UNT and TWU for the new DCTA A-Train service
2010 (Fall) Texas State Historical Association
Facilitated class projects developing branding program for the Texas Almanac and a membership
program for the Texas State Historical Association
2010 (Spring) Denton County Transportation Authority
Facilitated class project developing a public relations campaign for the Denton County
Transportation Authority A-Train service
PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY
Ongoing Frequently asked to provide advice and counsel to area nonprofit organizations and government
agencies regarding public relations and social media strategies and practices.
2016—present Working with a small grassroots group to develop events and awareness to commemorate
International Women’s Day in Denton in March, 2017.
2015—present KERA (North Texas Public Broadcasting) Community Advisory Committee. Volunteer
committee advising leadership team on content and formatting matters. Three-year appointment,
renewable.
2014—present Fundraising and communications counsel to Stepping Stones, a collaboration between the
Alzheimer’s Association and the TWU Occupational Therapy program, providing practical
experience for OT graduate students learning to work with patients with various dementias.
2014 EverCare Medical
Advising TAMS students on social media and PR for a startup nonprofit organization, facilitating
PRSSA and additional student involvement.
2013--2015 Alzheimer's Association
Greater Dallas Chapter Communications Committee
2012 Advised the staff of North Texas Catholic (publication of the Diocese of Fort Worth) on social
media strategies to engage a younger audience with the website and publication.
2012--present Denton County Transportation Authority
Citizens' Advisory Committee
2011 Strategic social media workshop for the University Relations, Communications and Marketing
division at UNT. Assisted university staff in tracking down a rogue Twitter account and
convincing the students to clarify it as a parody account.
2011--present Denton Police Department
Informal advisor on social media policies, procedures and ethics
2008—2010 Clinic volunteer, Fort Worth Zoo
Maintained research databases and animal care records, assisted with medical examinations and
procedures, coordinated communications between the clinic and zoo PR staff
2006--2009 National Multiple Sclerosis Society North Texas
Safety Director/Communications Manager, MS-150 bike tour (a two day, 150 bile ride between
Frisco and Ft. Worth, Texas)
Revised 3/29/16 CV of Samra Jones Bufkins, MJ, APR page 8
2002—2003 Leadership Houston
Organized Quality of Life Day programming for leadership training classes
2000--2005 National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Lone Star Chapter
MS-150 bike tour team captain and steering committee member. Recognized as team captain of
the year.
1996--2001 USCG Unified Command Public Affairs Committee
Providing crisis communications expertise and resources for joint information center planning for
response to oil spills and disasters in the Galveston-Houston Coast Guard district.
1988—2005 Docent, Houston Zoo
Developed and presented educational programs about zoo animals, the environment, recycling;
acted as spokesperson for the Zoo on local TV and radio programs; served on the Zoo Advisory
Board; served on the transition team for privatization of the Zoo in 2002.
INDEPENDENT STUDY/SPECIAL PROBLEMS SUPERVISION
Mearle Colaco (Graduate student), Spring 2014, Independent study in Public Relations Communications
Monique Scales (Graduate student), Spring 2013, Independent study in Public Relations Communications
Stephanie Albertini (Graduate student), Summer 2012, Developing a strategic communications plan for a
start-up business
Katy Hartwick (Graduate student), Spring 2012, Developed a strategic communications plan for a business
expansion
Cameron Meyer (Graduate student), Spring 2012, Social media audit and strategic plan for the Mayborn
Literary Nonfiction Conference
PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIP SUPERVISION Public Relations and Social Media Internships for Academic Credit
Spring 2016
Kali Kameaiomakam Ah Yuen, CultureHype Public Relations, Dallas.
Awo Eni, Fleishman Hillard, Dallas
Kivana Ford, Susan G. Komen North Texas
Emily Glover, Hope’s Door (nonprofit organization serving families affected by domestic violence)
Paulina Pytlak, CultureHype Public Relations, Dallas
Cynthia Rivera, United Way of Denton County
William Russell, Texas Motor Speedway Media Relations
Hannah Wyatt, Hope’s Door
Fall 2015
Michael Chavez, Episcopal Church of the Annunciation
Alysa Franks, Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange
Jenay Fritz, Strauss Marketing and Public Relations
Casandra Hernandez, Told Yaa! (Interactive and social media agency)
Daniella Otero, American Sportman Shooting Center
Whitney Robertson, ROI Mantra (Interactive and social media PR agency)
Jarret Way, Strauss Marketing and Public Relations
Spring 2015
Alexandra Anderson, Dr. Phil Show, Paramount Studios, L.A. (social media support)
James Birmingham, Innovation Greenhouse
Brandon Bolin, Baylor Scott & White Health System
Dawn Chevalier, UNT Student Activities Center
Revised 3/29/16 CV of Samra Jones Bufkins, MJ, APR page 9
Jennifer Johnston, United Methodist Church Foundation of Fort Worth
Joseph Moreno, Six Flags Over Texas
Paul Pomroy, Texas Motor Speedway Media Office
Maria Ramirez, Z Interactive
Tamela Riley, Tektronix Communications
Caitlyn Townley, Alpha-Barnes Real Estate
Fall 2014
Shannon Randol Baker, Keep Denton Beautiful
Amanda Colon, Amtel T-Mobile
Daniella Solis, Allied Integrated Marketing
Megan Wardlaw, Katy Sky Group
Spring 2014
Kelcey Blanks, 5th Ave. Salon & Spa
Savannah Bragg, Lewisville ISD
Cindy Brugge, Aclarus Marketing
Blair Burney, Raze Media
Kyle Kehrwald, Allied Integrated Marketing
Mariam Khan, K-Strategies Group Public Affairs
Kathryn Krevo, UNT Honors College
Kayla Lavender, D Magazine (social media internship)
James Mendez, Beverly Drive Magazine (Public relations and advertising sales)
Briana Mendoza, Allied Integrated Marketing.
Amy Scaggs, Alzheimer's Association Dallas
Cody Ward, M.Gianni Fashion Collection (PR and social media)
Epiphany Woods, Obsidian Public Relations
Fall 2014
Sydney Mayeux, Allen Americans professional hockey team
Katherine Spain, FC Dallas professional soccer team
Sarah Clement, UNT Press (public relations and social media)
Shante' Clinton, Spring, United Way of Denton County
Erica Connolly, Spring, The Marketing Arm
Marcus Hutchison, Spring, The Compass Group
Amy Lux, Spring, BizCom Associates
Mendy Puckett, Spring, Golin Harris
Bree Ray, Spring, Social Media Delivered
Jeannette Silva, Spring, Denton County Friends of the Family
Wylee Wooldridge, Complete Landsculpture (public relations and marketing communications)
Fall 2012
Clare Cawley, Moroch Public Relations
Alexandra Cheatham, Safety Control Corporation
Sarah Gifford, Power Public Relations
Shannon Raymond, Ward Welding & Supply (PR and marketing communications)
Mackenzie Yelvington, UNT Student Activities Office
Spring 2012
Alex Arrick, The Idea Grove
Loren Bolton, Workflow One Corporation
Sarah Duke, Dallas Business Journal (PR and special events)
Abigail Glavy, Allied Integrated Marketing
Esther Kanyua, Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Ryan Melson, The Idea Grove
Lacy Preston, Texas Tornado hockey team
Catherine Shuler, Trinity Business Partners
Lindsey Young, Power Public Relations
Revised 3/29/16 CV of Samra Jones Bufkins, MJ, APR page 10
Fall 2011
Sara Alderman, Social Media Delivered
Brandi Champlin, Ansira Ad Agency (public relations and social media)
Monika Dinkins, Coppell Chamber of Commerce
Kenyon Kirkpatrick, Terra Firma Racing
Kristoffer Lemons, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
Lauren Miller, Moroch Partners
Teresa Rodriguez, Dallas Business Journal (special events and public relations)
Spring 2011
Emily Dickens, The Richards Group
Amoya Edwards, PR internship at Image Advantage
Aquia Francisco, PR internship at The Richards Group
James Hart, Granada Theatre (PR and social media)
Sarah Kubischta, Moroch Partners
Lesley Merritt, Allied Integrated Marketing
Lindsey Powell, Texas Tornado Hockey Team
Kimberly Pratcher, Texas Back Institute (PR and marketing communications)
Christine Sidhu, Scripture Union
Kaitlyn Taylor, Big Ink PR
Keve Thomas, Video Plus (PR and social media)
Julieane Verdes, Moroch Partners
Hannah Wubushet, Boys & Girls Clubs
Fall 2010
Victoria Green, ESPN Radio (PR and promotions)
Carrie Rogers, C. Pharr Public Relations
Craig Sirois, Moroch Partners
Spring 2010
Betsy Hutson, Texas Motor Speedway Media Office
Megan Unruh, Texas Motor Speedway Marketing Communications
Ongoing Informal advising and mentoring to students engaged in non-credit internships. Advising includes
assistance with workplace issues (including sexual harassment response), help with business protocols, networking
techniques, and social media strategies. Some PR students complete as many as 7 internship before graduation, but
only one may be taken for academic credit.
PRESENTATIONS (ACADEMIC, PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY)
2016 Guest lecturer on social media ethics in Journalism 4270.003, Strategic Social Media, taught by
adjunct Frances Hawkins.
2015 Ethical Decision-Making for Digital Public Relations
Ethics Month presentation to Fort Worth Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.
2015 Guest lecturer on social media ethics in Journalism 4270, Strategic Social Media, taught by
adjunct Christopher Apaliski.
2015 Guest moderator of #EdShift Twitterchat regarding use of LinkedIn and other social media for job
hunting.
2014 Series of social media workshops (beginners, intermediate, and event/group management) for the
Junior League of Dallas.
Revised 3/29/16 CV of Samra Jones Bufkins, MJ, APR page 11
2013 Researched and compiled a presentation for Dean Dorothy Bland which was presented at Dallas
PRSA Ethics Day luncheon, September 2013.
2013 Social Media Strategies for Non-Profit Organizations
Center for Nonprofit Management, Dallas Texas
2012 The Need for Ethics in Business and Communications
University of Dallas, School of Business Administration
2012 Social Media Strategies for Non-Profit Organizations
Center for Nonprofit Management, Dallas Texas
2011 The Need for Ethics in Business and Communciations
University of Dallas, School of Business Administration
2011 Ethical Decision Making Models for use in the Practice of Public Relations
Public Relations Society of America, Dallas Chapter
2009 Putting Accreditation in Public Relations into Your Career Plan
Southern Methodist University PRSSA Career Day
1997—1999 Spokesperson for Dow Chemical Company’s sponsorship of the Texas Wildscape Program,
including multiple presentations about native plant gardening to organizations and the media
throughout north, central and east Texas.
1994 Panelist: Overcoming Citizen Obstacles to Beneficial Uses of Dredge Material
Western Dredging Association International Conference (Published proceedings)
1994—1997 Numerous presentations about the Galveston Bay estuary, wetlands and coastal conservation,
natural history of the bay watershed, economic value of the bay, and other topics to civic,
governmental and educational organizations, as well as numerous media appearances.
1993 Managing Galveston Bay: New Solutions for a Gulf Estuary
International Gulf of Mexico Symposium, Tampa Florida (Published proceedings)
1990—1993 Numerous presentations about the plans to preserve the ecosystem of Galveston Bay. Presented to
civic clubs, professional organizations, government agencies, city councils, county
commissioners, chambers of commerce and special interest organizations as well as media within
a 10 county area surrounding Galveston Bay.
PUBLISHED NEWS ARTICLES
2015 Another perspective: Walking while ‘different.” Guest column, Dallas Morning News. Oct. 29, 2015.
http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/latest-columns/20151029-samra-bufkins-another-perspective-on-
walking-while-different.ece
2009 You’re going on TV? Good luck! Twelve tips to survive as a guest on a late-night comedy show. Ragan’s
HR Communication. March 29, 2009.
http://www.hrcommunications.com/Main/Articles/Youre_going_on_TV_Good_luck_1308.aspx
Revised 3/29/16 CV of Samra Jones Bufkins, MJ, APR page 12
NEWS SOURCE/EXPERT
2015 Quoted in KRLD-AM year-end “wrap-up” story about the return of Blue Bell Ice Cream. No link available,
but the story aired at least twice the week between Christmas and New Year’s.
2015 Quoted in Denton Record-Chronicle article about Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s
appearance in Dallas, Sept. 14, 2015. http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/local-news-
headlines/20150914-trump-makes-appeals-to-pride.ece
2015 Quoted (via Twitter) in a PR Week blog post about public relations professionals’ response to Amtrak’s
crisis communications after a deadly train crash in Philadelphia. May 13, 2015.
http://www.prweek.com/article/1347079/crisis-communicators-skewer-amtraks-crash-response-twitter
2015 Quoted in Dallas Observer article about the response to the viral video of members of the Oklahoma
University chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon singing racist epithets on an outing. March 11, 2015.
http://www.dallasobserver.com/news/ou-frat-boys-good-at-racist-chants-ok-at-crisis-pr-7126049
2014 Interviewed for a Fort Worth Star-Telegram article on the digital fluency of “Generation Z.” Sept. 1, 2014.
http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/education/article3871560.html
2014 Weekly radio interviews, airing during “News and Information in the Afternoon” on KLIF 570 AM talk
radio. Topics include social media and Internet security, social media issues, trends and events.
2013 Weekly radio interviews, airing during “News and Information in the Afternoon” on KLIF 570 AM talk
radio. Topics include social media and Internet security, social media issues, trends and events.
2013 Interviewed on KLIF-AM Dec. 23 about musicians promoting their new albums via social media
2013 Interviewed for online magazine article about parents who overshare about their children on social media.
DFW Child, December, 2013. http://www.dfwchild.com/North-Texas/features/1355/Attack-of-the-
Documom
2013 Quoted in an Oct. 20 story on the U.S. website of Metro, a free newspaper distributed in major cities across
the world, about writing essays for college applications:
http://www.metro.us/newyork/lifestyle/education/2013/10/20/do-you-know-how-to-make-a-college-essay-
shine/
2013 Interviewed on KLIF-AM Oct. 8 about Twitter and Instagram advertising.
2013 Social media ethics in public relations. Thirty minute Internet radio program focusing on ethics in social
media. Blog Talk Radio, posted August 3, 2013.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/smallbusinessstars/2013/08/07/social-media-ethics-in-public-relations-with-
samra-j-bufkins
2013 Mention in Dallas Morning News blog about Dallas PRSA response to the Museum Tower fake social
media incident. August 1, 2013. http://watchdogblog.dallasnews.com/2013/08/public-relations-society-of-
america-dallas-chapter-condemns-fake-facebook-profiles-used-on-behalf-of-museum-tower.html/
2013 Mention in Ft. Worth Star-Telegram column by Bud Kennedy referencing the Museum Tower “sock
puppetry” incident. July 31, 2013. http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/07/30/5042902/for-mike-
sockpuppet-snyder-a-lesson.html
Revised 3/29/16 CV of Samra Jones Bufkins, MJ, APR page 13
2013 Museum Tower fake social media.
KLIF AM 570 interview about the ethics of fake social media personas in the wake of the dispute between
the Museum Tower and Nasher Sculpture Center. July 29, 2013. https://soundcloud.com/samra-jones-
bufkins/samra-bufkins-klif-fake-social
2013 KLIF AM 570 Talk Radio interview about the social media announcement by Buckingham Palace of the
royal birth. https://soundcloud.com/samra-jones-bufkins/samra-bufkins-royal-baby-july?in=samra-jones-
bufkins/sets/klif-interviews
2013 Interviewed on KLIF-AM June 12 about smarter ways to use social media, in the wake of the NSA
surveillance program.
2013 Interviewed on KRLD-AM April 10 about Carnival Cruise Line’s slashing prices to attract more customers,
after several public relations problems
2013 Social Pope? Interview on KLIF 570 AM Talk Radio discussion social media during the Papal Conclave.
March 13, 2013. https://soundcloud.com/samra-jones-bufkins/samra-bufkins-klif-pope-social?in=samra-
jones-bufkins/sets/klif-interviews
2013 Facebook’s 9th Birthday. Radio interview on KLIF 570 AM Talk Radio, Feb. 4, 2013.
https://soundcloud.com/samra-jones-bufkins/samra-bufkins-klif-feb-4?in=samra-jones-bufkins/sets/klif-
interviews
2013 Interviewed on KRLD-AM Jan. 19 and 20, 2013, about reactions on social media to Lance Armstrong’s
interview with Oprah Winfrey
2012 Media may share responsibility for Sikh Temple Shootings. Quoted in article about the role of media and
social media in the Sikh temple shooting in Wisconsin. Maynard Media Center on Structural Inequity,
August 16, 2012. http://mije.org/mmcsi/criminal-justice/media-may-share-responsibility-sikh-temple-
shootings
2012 London Morphed into the Twitter Games, 140 Characters at a Time. Quoted in article about the role of
social media in the London Summer Olympic Games. Yahoo! Sports, August 12, 2012.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/olympics--london-morphed-into-the-twitter-games--140-characters-at-a-
time.html
2012 Media Blitz results in incorrect reports. Quoted in article about reporting on the Supreme Court of the
United States’ ruling on the Affordable Healthcare Act. Denton Record Chronicle, June 29, 2012.
http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/health/20120629-media-blitz-results-in-incorrect-reports.ece
2012 UNT students use Twitter, other social media to recreate Titanic Voyage. April, 2012. URCM press release
and online newsroom. ,http://untsystem.edu/news/2012/April/12-04-11-titanic.htm
2012 Mentioned in Poynter Blog commentary about Buzzfeed and The Guardian article regarding a Twitter
conversation about faked tornado pictures. April 5, 2012. Miniature case study about social media news
sources, correcting errors online, and context. http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/regret-the-
error/169141/buzzfeed-faces-additional-scrutiny-as-it-moves-into-political-journalism/
2012 Into Hostile Territory. Quoted in article about community relations tactics of some gas drillers in the
Barnett Shale. Quoted specifically about the ethics of these tactics in relation to the PRSA Code of Ethics.
Denton Record Chronicle, January 7, 2012. http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/local-news-
headlines/20120107-into-hostile-territory.ece
2011 Cities Cast Net into Social Media. Quoted in article about municipal uses of social media to communicate
with citizens.Denton Record Chronicle, Dec. 31, 2011. http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/north-denton-
headlines/20111231-cities-cast-net-into-social-media.ece
Revised 3/29/16 CV of Samra Jones Bufkins, MJ, APR page 14
2011 Crisis management experts praise Perry team’s response to debate gaffe. Dallas Morning News, Nov. 11,
2011. http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/perry-watch/headlines/20111110-crisis-management-
experts-praise-perry-teams-response-to-debate-gaffe.ece?nclick_check=1
2011 Mesquite schools’ superintendent takes to Twitter to connect with public. Dallas Morning News, Oct. 31,
2011. http://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/headlines/20111031-mesquite-schools-superintendent-
takes-to-twitter-to-connect-with-public.ece?action=reregister&nclick_check=1
2011 Could Twitter or Facebook have made a difference? Quoted in nationally-distributed story for the 10th
anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack. Yahoo! News 9/9/11. http://news.yahoo.com/9-11--could-twitter-or-
facebook-have-made-a-difference.html
2011 Technology playing greater role in inappropriate student-teacher relationships. Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
June 25, 2011 (Also picked up by wire services.)
2010 Learning Curve: Education Goes Digital in the 21st Century. Article about social media use in the
classroom. Dallas Business Journal, Oct. 7, 2010.
http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2010/10/11/focus2.html
2010 BP Response to the Deepwater Horizon well blowout and spill. Multiple interviews with KRLD-AM radio.
Interviews aired between June 3 and June 10.
INCIDENTALS
Contestant: National Public Radio’s news quiz program “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me (giving a shout-out to the
Mayborn School of Journalism and UNT). 2015. The prize for correctly answering the three obscure news questions
is a voicemail recorded by retired (and revered) NPR news anchor Carl Kassel. (Link: http://n.pr/1hbu5J7)
Personal blogs:
The View From Little D (Public Relations is the main focus) http://theviewfromlittled.com/
Walking the Alzheimer’s Abyss (Alzheimer’s Disease from a caregiver point of view)
http://walkingthealzheimersabyss.com/
Social media management: Developer and manager of the Facebook community page Dementia Diaries, sharing
educational articles of interest to the Alzheimer’s community.
Intensive Spanish language study in Guanajuato, Mexico, Summer 2008.
Traveled to Saudi Arabia (resident for 3 years), Egypt, England, Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Switzerland, The
Netherlands, India, Nepal, Kenya, Cyprus, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela,
Ecuador and Canada, including two medical mission trips to the Patzun, Chimaltenango area of Guatemala in 2010
and 2011.
Member of the St. Mark Catholic Church Choir and the Denton and Forth Worth ACTS Missions teams. Faculty
adviser to Mu Epsilon Theta, the Catholic sorority at the University of North Texas through St. John Paul II Parish.
(Not affiliated with the UNT Greek system.)