Pronouns
she/her
What three words would you use to describe Lewis & Clark?
Vibrant, quirky, curious!
Tell us about the people who inspire you or a role model. How have they shaped your educational and/or career journey?
My grandmothers Alma and Edna were both educators who persevered in their careers despite barriers including sexism, financial hardship, and, for Alma, institutional racism. Among other accomplishments, Alma was one of the first African-American women to achieve a graduate degree from the University of Chicago and Edna helped launch the Head Start Program in her region. They both instilled in me a passion for educational access. I have dedicated my life’s work to the same cause, and one day I hope to be worthy of continuing their legacies.
How do you empower yourself and the women around you?
One way is by reminding myself and others that rest is resistance. That is, “rest, in its simplest form, becomes an act of resistance and a reclaiming of power because it asserts our most basic humanity” (American poet and activist Tricia Hersey). Making space for softness and safety every day is not just so that we can get back our energy and get back into the fight for intersectional justice. Making space for softness and safety reminds us what we are fighting for.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Make more art.
Describe your job. What do you like best about your work?
My job is awesome! I get to learn with some of the brightest minds in the world and make important strides in my committee work on themes of equity, empathy, and educational access. With undergraduate researchers, my scholarship examines how group dynamics of status and relative power shape social cognitive judgments and behaviors towards marginal group members. We also examine the transformative power of storytelling and play. Every day is different, and I am so lucky to have the ability to do all of these things and to follow where my passions and my students’ interests lead us.
What brought you to L&C?
When I was finishing my PhD, I had just gotten married to a broody writer type and so the Pacific NW seemed like a great place to land. I also knew that a liberal arts institution like L&C was the right fit for me because teaching and community leadership were just as important to me as research. The rest just fell into place naturally, and here I am!
What’s your favorite spot on campus?
The conference room in Watzek on the second floor where faculty host a research boot camp weekly. The natural light, the green surroundings, and the peer support I associate with the space all make it a special spot for me.
What’s your favorite thing about living in Portland?
The people! Portlanders are down to earth, engaged, and hardy. We love the rain – we garden in it and hike in it. We also love the sun, and there’s a giddy community vibe whenever it shows its face, especially in winter.