Raised in the heartland of Iowa, I was an outdoor girl with a strong curiosity for nature, appreciation for community, and preference for hands-on learning. After high school graduation and several years in the credit card industry, I sought a more meaningful, challenging path and relocated to Nebraska where I began undergraduate studies in biopsychology. Despite a nontraditional academic trajectory, I excelled in coursework, conducted honors research on exercise and psychological coping, and graduated with distinction—all while working full-time throughout much of my undergraduate program.
My academic interests expanded unexpectedly to include art history, particularly 19th-century French art. This passion led me to pursue a Master’s degree in Museum Studies that allowed me to select a mix of studies in administration, art, architecture, and French language. I completed immersive study and work abroad programs in Aix-en-Provence, Cannes, and Dublin, gaining cross-cultural perspectives that continue to inform my work and life.
After college, my professional path veered back toward the scientific, where employers in higher ed and government found great value in my biopsychology degree. With a natural knack for writing, I was asked to support international scholars in refining their English, which deepened my interest in language, communication, and digital media. With the young internet begging for content, I easily transitioned into web development writing articles for the web, and quickly grew my skill set to include multimedia production, heading a STEM animation project for children at the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging & Bioengineering. With Adobe applications empowering my creativity, I learned inclusive accessibility standards (WCAG), universal design, and web design and technologies that laid a solid foundation for my transition to educational technologies.
In 2016, I entered the field of online education as a learning management system (LMS) administrator for a healthcare-focused institution of higher learning. Since then, I have worked with platforms including Brightspace, Canvas, and Cornerstone, and developed technology training for faculty and students. My work integrates pedagogical frameworks such as ADDIE, Bloom’s Taxonomy, and competency-based education, with a focus on inclusive, data-informed design.
Today, I remain committed to creating engaging, accessible learning experiences that empower diverse learners. As an adjunct faculty member at MICA, I am honored to contribute to a creative academic community in support of students seeking to ramp up their careers in the arts. Teaching continues to be one of my most rewarding endeavors.