What's your goal when working with students?

My goal as an advisor is to help students build self-confidence, learn skills, and gain experiences to meet their academic goals and follow their unique path. I aim to create a warm, friendly, and welcoming environment where students feel comfortable being themselves and asking me absolutely any questions they have. Universities can seem overwhelming at times, especially for students who don’t quite feel like they belong or don’t feel at home at U of M yet. I was the first in my family to go to college, and my experiences resulted in a passion for holistically supporting students and helping them learn the unwritten rules that will help them succeed.

What's one experience outside the classroom that shaped your college journey? 

I worked at the front desk in my major department.  That experience provided me with valuable work experience in an academic setting.  In that position I was able to create positive relationships with my major professors and university staff, many of which I still keep in touch with today.  These experiences not only helped me find community on campus as a student but also made for an easier transition into graduate school and my future work in academic roles.

What was a challenge you faced in college and how did you work through it? 

As a first-generation college student, I faced several challenges relating to not knowing how to navigate a university environment.  I experienced imposter syndrome and was hesitant to ask for help.  Once I started to share my experiences with my peers, professors, and other university staff, I learned that many of them were also first-gen.  Most importantly, I learned that others wanted to help me and I didn’t have to do everything alone.  Knowing that I had a support network on campus who believed in me and wanted me to succeed made everything a little easier.

What are some places you've lived or traveled to? How have those places influenced who you are or how you see the world today? 

I grew up in the coal-mining region of southern West Virginia.  My experiences in West Virginia influenced my personal views on social equity and environmental responsibility.  Although I only lived in Athens, Ohio for two years while in graduate school, I return several times each year and it’s probably the place where I feel most at home and has most shaped my personality.  For me, Athens has an unmatched sense of place where people are down-to-earth, calm, curious, and accepting of people as they are.  Lastly, Toledo, Ohio is a place that has a tremendous impact on who I am both professionally and personally.  I worked at Owens Community College in Toledo for approximately 15 years, 12 as a Professor of Geography and 3 as Chair of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department.  Serving in those roles gave me a valuable perspective on educational access and what students need to be successful that continues to guide my advising work today.  I love Toledo’s working-class character, sense of community, and the pride that Toledoans have in where they’re from.