I earned my B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). My B.A.
is in Sociology with minors in Communication and Women’s Studies. My M.A. is in Communication
studies with emphases in performance studies, rhetoric, and feminist studies. I joined
the English, Technical Communication, and Media Arts department at SPSU in August
2011. I teach a variety of communication courses including Public Speaking, Business
Communication, and Organizational Communication. I also work with the SPSU competitive speech team.
I am best described professionally as a scholar/educator because my passion to teach is rooted in my enthusiasm for learning. I think of teaching and learning as intricately intertwined activities that cannot ever be fully separated from one another. My primary objective is to foster communities in which students can find enjoyment in critically engaging and testing ideas alongside me. I place a high priority on creating environments that are inclusive and safe places to make and learn from mistakes. My courses are generally structured around three specific goals: to prepare students for future academic endeavors, guide students toward successful professional careers, and encourage students to become active, engaged and responsible citizens. My research and professional activities focus on themes of gender and sexuality, social change, rhetoric, argumentation, and competitive forensics (speech and debate).