My first love was storytelling. As a kid I devoured fantasy novels. When I grew up, I pursued projects and disciplines where I could craft content and narrative, solve messy problems, and anticipate the next beat.
I worked in higher education from 2016 to 2024 in a variety of roles — part-time, internship, full-time, contract — with prior gigs in information technology, startups, and publishing. In 2024 I made a pivot to supporting climate finance training programs at Inclusiv, which combines my calling to work on climate solutions and my deep fascination with financial systems.
My undergraduate work in creative writing and communications laid the foundation of my creative/analytical career. My master’s degree in instructional technology focused that goal toward education and learning. I thrive when I can contribute to strategic planning, work on deliverables and resources, and collaborate in autonomous but supportive teams.
In my professional life, I've entered newly created positions to build out targets and opportunities. I know how to independently manage projects and develop innovative processes. I love working with leaders and innovators to translate their highly technical expertise into concrete, authentic learning programs that help learners solve problems and master complex processes. I’m also big on aligning educational experiences with organizational goals and using technology to augment (not replace) human relationship and connection in learning experiences.
Outside of work, I love doting on my cats, taking salsa and bachata classes, reading everything from nonfiction to high fantasy, learning/practicing Spanish, board games, sewing and crafting, spending time with my partner and friends, porch sitting, and watching bad TV. In 2024, I took a 4-month sabbatical to travel México with my partner and complete more than 200 hours of immersive Spanish courses!
I sat for and passed the IAAP Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) exam in 2024.
This certification demonstrates a person has a broad, cross-disciplinary conceptual knowledge about: disabilities; accessibility and universal design; and accessibility-related standards, laws, and management strategies.
For me, the CPACC was one step in a longer career journey of practicing Universal Design for Learning and improving digital and course materials’ accessibility.
The Master of Science degree in Instructional Technology (MIT) at UNCW focuses on the theory and practice of design and development, utilization, management, and evaluation of processes and resources for learning. It emphasizes product development and utilization of advanced technology and provides applied training in the total design, development, implementation, and evaluation of educational and training programs. The program requires foundational courses, focus area courses, an internship, and a design & development research project.
I simultaneously completed the Online Teaching & Learning Certificate. My concentration involved courses in adult learning, learning management systems, computer-based training/eLearning, and distance education. My capstone project and internship was an Academic Advisor Training Course .
My undergraduate degrees complemented each other. In communication studies I focused on integrated marketing communication, which was well-served by my wordsmithing and editorial muscles developed in creative writing courses, and by the graphic design and print media foundations I learned while completing a Certificate in Publishing. I interned in organizations ranging from a weekly arts magazine to a Big 5 publishing company. I minored in English literature and German. While I was at it, I earned a travel fellowship to study Flannery O’Connor and completed an honors thesis on The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’s satirical portrayal of religious fundamentalism, earning the designation of Distinguished Undergraduate Research Scholar and presenting my research at San Diego Comic-Con.
I have developed trainings, presentations, job aids, information resources, processes, workflows, tutorials, instructional videos, graduate-level courses, orientation and onboarding experiences, and unique LMS configurations to serve students, faculty, prospects, alumni, and others at multiple institutions. You can view some of those in my portfolio.