Degree(s) completed and special minors or areas of emphasis:
Postsecondary Education: Student Affairs, MA; Interdepartmental Business Studies, BA; Business Administration, AA

Tell us a little about yourself.
As much as I like to spend my time unwinding in front of the TV to watch reruns of my favorite shows like Golden Girls, Friends, Cheers and Will & Grace, I love being outdoors. I try to be as active as I can be, especially now more than ever. This pandemic has forced me to pause and make time for my family and self-care because I know that tomorrow is unknown. I enjoy vacationing with my family, going for jogs, and spending time with friends. On occasion, more than I'm supposed to, shopping is something I can't seem to stop. I'm always looking for the next best bargain.

Why did you choose to attend UNI?
I chose UNI because the campus felt like I could truly belong to something and the people there made me feel welcomed. 

What is the most important thing you learned during your time at UNI?
The most important thing I learned at UNI is vulnerability. I had to get to a very vulnerable state to share my journey with the program director, seek out help for my courses, and allow myself to make room for mistakes to grow personally and professionally.

Share your best memory from your time at UNI.
My best memory of UNI is going to the Union during winter to buy a cup of cinnamon tea because I did not get to experience all the resources and departments of a college campus during my undergraduate years. 

Describe your career path after school. What do you most enjoy about the career you've chosen?
I have had an enriching career path. A month before I graduated from UNI in 2012, I accepted a position with TRiO SSS as a Counseling Specialist at the University of Iowa (U of I). I spent three years there supporting first-generation students and students that identified as coming from low socio-economic backgrounds. My time at U of I  prepared me for my next career move to Georgia Gwinnett College as a Student Success Advisor. During my time there, I grew professionally so much more. I was challenged to get out of my comfort zone and encouraged to present at conferences. My time there taught me to be an influential leader, which I value very much. I am now the Director of a TRiO SSS program at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. I love that I can advocate in the best interest of our students and staff. Seeing our students graduate and get out of their comfort zone to try new things is very rewarding. 

What is your area of expertise? What do you see as your greatest accomplishment since entering the workforce?
My area of expertise is student success. One of my most significant accomplishments is helping students accomplish goals that they once thought were not possible. For example, one student thought he would not be granted admission into a graduate program because of his GPA. I strongly encouraged him to research several programs, identify the top 5 institutions that matched the requirements he met, and contact the department director of those programs to build a relationship. I inspired him to exhaust all his options before moving on from his goal. I am happy to share that he was accepted into a public health graduate program in New York and successfully graduated. 

Our goal is to help students achieve perhaps more than they ever imagined with all that UNI has to offer in and out of the classroom. How does that relate to your own experience at UNI and where it has led you?
UNI helped me reflect on my journey and apply my experiences to the work I do but to do it at a pace that works for me. UNI taught me to utilize all my resources to accomplish my goals. 

What is your advice to students interested in your field?
The best advice I can give to students is don't give up on their goals and block out all the haters. People in my circle used to tell me that I would not become a director because I don't have a PhD. If I had listened to them, I would not be where I am today. Don't give up, surround yourself with supportive people, don't forget where you come from and cut the haters out. 

What does the future hold for you?
The future looks very promising. My next career goal is to secure an assistant dean position.