social worker/educator

I started my career in behavioral health working with youth & young adults in various settings (residential, day treatment alternative school, community mental health). I have been in higher ed for the last decade with experience in both staff and faculty roles at 2 & 4-year colleges. My philosophy on education continues to evolve and has been heavily influenced by Paulo Freire, adrienne maree brown, Dean Spade, bell hooks, James Baldwin, and many others. I believe education can and should be liberatory and transformational.

voting rights advocate

I was always politically curious but never very invested. That changed while teaching social work students, when I realized our program was doing a disservice by not emphasizing political participation (part of our professional code of ethics) even though it’s connected to everything we do. I became more active in my home community and on campus and eventually discovered this enduring passion that has changed both my perspective and my actions for the better. I am still a shy introvert, but I’ve managed to develop a voice as a voting rights advocate.

phd student

My newfound passion for increasing civic knowledge and action, especially amongst our youngest citizens, brought me back to education. I’m currently working towards my PhD in Educational Leadership with a research emphasis on increasing youth civic participation through creative and collective efforts. I will continue to raise awareness about the kinds of voter suppression happening in both k-12 and higher education while actively working to reduce barriers and create more just systems and spaces where people can connect, share their stories, and be in community.