I want to make the world a better place. In my career, that looks like working at the intersection of education and community: I thrive at junctures where what I value about education, such as critical thinking and reflection, creates opportunities for community engagement and social change. My career trajectory has not been a straight line because building something meaningful sometimes requires navigating twists and turns.

I hold a Ph.D. in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Emory University, a Master of Science in Public Policy Analysis from the University of Rochester, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics from Mercer University. These seemingly disparate academic disciplines are my interdisciplinary sweet spot, and they reveal how I think. I am drawn to problems that wrestle with complexity.

My higher education career has included constituent and community engagement, grant administration, university advancement, academic affairs, intercollegiate policy debate coaching, and student engagement.

In the James Madison University Honors College, I had the privilege of shepherding the Honors ePortfolio Initiative from inception through execution. This endeavor helped me understand that students learn most when they are asked to pause, name what they have done, and articulate what their experiences mean. I try to model such reflective practice myself. This commitment led me to establish Career Portfolio Co. to teach job seekers and professionals how to apply ePortfolio pedagogy principles for career readiness and advancement.

In addition to my work with Career Portfolio Co., I wear a few other hats. I serve as First Lady of Fairmont State University, where I support the campus community and work alongside a university I believe in. I am also an entrepreneur. I founded Storylodge Farm, an apple orchard with on-site lodging in Fairmont, West Virginia. Lastly, I am working on my first novel, a piece of historical fiction set during World War II.

The work in my ePortfolio explores my teaching and scholarship, community engagement, entrepreneurship, and more. Neither job titles nor academic disciplines connect my experiences, but rather, it’s my consistent commitments: Community is foundational. Problems worth solving are messy and complicated. And if we’re reflective and honest with ourselves, we can create a better world.

Welcome. I encourage you to explore.