Tell us a little about your background. How did you end up at UNI?
I'm a college instructor in the Education Department at a small university in Dubuque, Iowa. I needed to get a terminal degree in my field and UNI offers courses online. Also, the College of Education at UNI has a reputation of excellence in Iowa.

Why did you choose to pursue this degree at UNI?
I transferred from University of Iowa because the EdD program at UNI is very doable for those working full-time, and because I could save travel time and transportation costs since most courses are offered online.

How did you choose your area of focus for your dissertation? Why was this important to you?
I teach pre-service teachers, so I wanted to equip myself to offer them the best education and scholarship possible.

What three adjectives describe yourself? 
Creative, collaborative, self-deprecating.

What does completing your degree mean to you?
It's a significant milestone for my career in higher education.

What challenges did you face as you worked toward this degree – and how did you overcome them?
Working full-time and only able to enroll in one course per semester added a few years to my journey, but slow and steady finishes the race too!

How did UNI help you achieve your goals? 
I can serve my students and the educational institution where I teach as a well-prepared faculty member with a terminal degree.

What’s your best memory of your time at UNI?
Collaborating with my dissertation committee chair, Dr. Soh Meacham, was an incredibly positive process of transformational professional growth.

We often say UNI is student focused; a place where professors care--and teach; a place where learning happens in and out of the classroom;  and perfectly sized. Do any of these statement rings true for you?
Yes, Dr. Matt Townsley took time out of his busy schedule to connect with me outside of class to offer a caring heart and listening ear when I was going through a very difficult challenge in my personal life.

What advice would you give to students considering UNI?
Be considerate and gracious to your classmates, especially those with differing points of view and worldviews.

What's next?
I'm employed at Emmaus University as a faculty member and will continue in this role.