How many years have you been working at UNI?
26 years, including nine years teaching! 

Briefly describe your educational background.
I have a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree in human resource management from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, a Master of Science (MS) degree in counseling and student personnel from Oklahoma State University, and a Doctor of Education (EdD) in educational leadership: postsecondary education from the University of Northern Iowa.

Briefly describe your career background.
I worked in student affairs, specifically housing and residence life, for 21 years (four years as a graduate assistant) prior to becoming a full-time faculty member. During those years, I supervised a building of residents ranging in size from 200 to 700 residents and a resident assistant staff ranging from four to 14. I truly loved my time in housing and never wanted to lose my connection to students, which normally happens as you move up the ladder in student affairs. Thus, I started teaching as an adjunct in our program and was an adjunct for 10 years prior to full-time faculty work. I am now an assistant professor going up for tenure this fall in hopes of becoming an associate professor and eventually a full professor. (Update: first goal achieved!) 

Why did you choose this career path?
I entered college as an accounting major, fully expecting to graduate in four years and work in the business world. I guess my plans changed! I became a resident assistant during my sophomore year and found that there was full-time work where I could continue to work with students. I went to graduate school and loved what I did, continuing it full-time even as I pursued my doctoral degree. I have always appreciated my connections with students and still keep in touch with over 70% of the more than 170 RAs that I supervised during those 20 plus years.

What brought you to UNI?
I started at UNI back in 1998 as a residence life coordinator. I had attended two RA conferences back in 1993 and 1995, which introduced me to how wonderful UNI and Cedar Falls could be. During my full-time search after my time at Oklahoma State, I interviewed with six different schools, and UNI was my number one choice. The students I met with, the people with whom I interviewed, and my supervisor, Lyn Redington, all made it clear that UNI was where I needed to be.

What's your favorite part about UNI?
The students, plain and simple. Back when I started at UNI, there was a fundraising campaign called "Students First." This campaign was powerful as for many years that was the assumed mission of UNI. I still attempt to do everything that I do for our students to make sure that they have a great experience while they are here and that they are set up for success after they graduate.

What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
This is a hard question. I don't have anything that I cling to as my most cherished accomplishment, other than the students that graduated and are successful post-graduation. I love hearing about their accomplishments and all that they do!

If involved in research, what is your area(s) of interest, and what drove your interest in this area?
I am currently really focused on teaching and its connection to practitioner skills. This is a result of two self-studies that I have completed, one with Dr. Matt Townsley and a second with Dr. Matt Townsley, Dr. Morgan Anderson, and Dr. Shelley Price-Williams. I learned during these studies that what I bring to the classroom and the program is a result of the skills I learned as a practitioner in housing. Whether advising, evaluation, or organization skills, they are all applicable in my role as a professor.

What does being student-focused mean to you?
It means thinking about the student experience from recruitment through the program and beyond. It means looking at my classes to make sure that students are engaged and that the learning is dynamic and practical at the same time. It means having constant, consistent, and timely communication with students so they know what is expected and get their questions answered. Finally, student-focused means students first, a campaign or mission that I believe we should bring back!

We talk about helping students realize or even exceed their expectations and potential. What does it mean to you to be part of that process and see the outcome?
As I have spoken about earlier, that is why I do what I do. I enjoy working with a range of students, from those that enter the program with high academic skills to those that question their ability to succeed. In student affairs, we talk about meeting students where they are. That is what I try to do. Through a balance of challenge and support, I want to make sure they can achieve their goals and beyond!

What do you hope students learn from you?
I hope that they learn to enjoy what they do, focus on students (as that is a cornerstone of our field) and always have someone in their corner as a support. While the material in class is important, it is also setting them up to be solid professionals in the field, and that is very important.

What advice do you have for prospective/current students to make the most of their time at UNI?
I have many suggestions!! Get involved. Do something new. Reach out to people and say hello. Get off of your phones and actually say hello to people as you walk to class. Meet faculty members and staff—they want to see you succeed. Stick around on weekends to take advantage of what UNI and the Cedar Valley have to offer. Attend athletic competitions and theater/music performances. They are, for the most part, free with your student fees, and the athletes, musicians or actors will appreciate your support. Finally, demonstrate your support of UNI by wearing purple and gold—we as a community can do great things, and you as an individual student will make it happen!