My Career Journey

I did not have a clear end goal in mind when I first got to college. My career goals would bounce around from wanting to work in the medical field to finance. In the end, I decided to pursue a math degree to become a teacher. While in college, I was a campus tour guide and worked multiple positions for our orientation office. I loved being able to help students in their college careers, which ended up becoming a passion for me. In 2021, I decided to pursue my master’s degree at Texas State University where I had the opportunity to serve in multiple graduate positions, including a practicum with their Career Services office. Following my master’s degree, I spent one year working full-time at Texas State University before finding my way here to USF St. Pete. In this position, I can continue to help students individually and through intentional programs and initiatives geared toward finding the right employment opportunities!

My Educational Journey

My Personality

Myers-Briggs Type (MBTI)

Outside of the Office

My Hometown
Hesperia, CA

My Favorite Things
I’m a big sports person! I enjoy watching sports, learning the history, and attempting to understand the little nuances behind them. I am also a person who loves to learn a little about everything. It could be the most random thing out there and it will stick in my mind forever.

My Favorite Quote
“If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it — then I can achieve it.” ― Muhammad Ali

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My Career Journey

I’ve always been drawn to creating opportunities that help people grow. I began with a focus on business and entrepreneurship, but quickly realized I could pursue that same drive for innovation through my true calling – education. 

While teaching elementary school, I founded Hands 4 Hope, an education nonprofit supporting communities in distress following manmade and natural disasters. Through that work and over the years, our team has directly supported communities in 11 countries across four continents. 

My career has centered on designing holistic programs, creating engaging learning experiences, and connecting people and communities. As an award-winning program creator and manager, I’ve led cross-sector collaborations across K-12 schools, nonprofits, universities, and corporate partners – both locally and internationally.  

I thrive at the intersection of strategy and heart, designing systems that work while never losing sight of the individual. No matter the work, my goal is the same: to create experiences that are transformative, practical, and meaningful. 

My Educational Journey

BS – International Business

University of Central Florida

MA – Health Education

University of Central Florida

EdD – Educational Psychology – Focus on Human Development, Holistic Education, and Interdisciplinary Learning

California Coast University

My Personality

Myers-Briggs Type (MBTI)

Outside of the Office

My Hometown
I’m the one born in St. Petersburg, Florida  

My Favorite Things

Time with family and friends is at the center of my life, whether that’s exploring new adventures, cooking for and with my family, moving our bodies, or sharing meaningful conversations with others.  

I also find deep joy in purposeful travel. I’ve visited over 45 countries and territories across five continents, always seeking connection, culture, and perspective. 

Being outdoors is an enjoyable aspect of my life – biking, camping, walking, and exploring new places. I’m a Certified Mindfulness and Yoga Instructor (for both adults and children) and a Certified Personal Trainer, and movement is one of the ways I stay energized and connected. 

 Some of my favorite words reflect how I move through the world: 

• Hello – it opens endless possibilities. 

• Possibilities – a word and world of wonder and creativity. 

• Experience – offered everywhere, at every moment. 

• Chaordic – where structure and spontaneity meet – organized chaos (think of a kindergarten class).  

• Create – because we’re all creators, each in our own way. 

My Favorite Quote

“Strategy without heart is hollow. Heart without strategy is chaos. The magic lives in the integration.”  – Personal  

“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” – John Dewey  

My Career Journey

My goal in going to college was to become the PR/Communications Director for a Girl Scout council. After working on campus in several roles, I found I loved college campuses. After graduation, I worked as a Home Equity Loan Closer and found that I did not love the impersonality of the business world. I loved working with college students, in training and developing them, and I was a total resume nerd! 

My Educational Journey

BA Communication Arts
Emphasis in Public Relations
Defiance College

MA College Student Personnel
Bowling Green State University

My Personality

Top 5 Strengths
Empathy, Communication, Developer, Positivity, Maximizer

Top 3 Holland Interest Codes (RIASEC)
Social, Artistic, Enterprising

Myers-Briggs Type (MBTI)
ESFJ

Outside of the Office

My Hometown
Rawson, Ohio

My Favorite Things
Family, Friends, my #gingerpets (Bella & Percy), my Church, Disney, Junior League, Girl Scouts, reality TV challenge shows, and musicals – I love musicals and going to Broadway shows!  My favorite movie musical is Newsies and the first musical I saw on tour was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in high school. One of my favorite trips was to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in NY and ended up watching four shows in three days. 

My Favorite Quote
“I’ve heard it said that people come into our lives, for a reason…Bringing something we must learn…And we are led to those, who help us most to grow if we let them, and we help them in return.”
Lyric in For Good from Wicked

My Career Journey

From an early age, I knew I wanted to be a teacher — starting with babysitting at 11 and helping my mom run her daycare. In high school, I joined a teacher prep program and loved working with children in our school’s childcare center. After earning my degree from Eastern Michigan University, I taught Kindergarten through 5th grade, designing creative, curiosity-driven lessons that made learning an adventure.

Over time, I became passionate about self-directed learning and the unschooling movement, which led me to explore new paths. I traveled internationally, then settled in St. Petersburg to be near family. I’ve worked in sales, including as Retail Sales Manager at the Dali Museum, and transitioned into higher education, supporting adult learners at St. Petersburg College and now at USF. Helping students navigate careers and connect with employers is deeply meaningful work.

Outside of USF, I’m also an entrepreneur, leading Sound Healing sessions and Wellness Workshops locally and nationally — blending holistic practices with a passion for personal growth and community well-being.

My Educational Journey

AA Education
Alpena Community College

BS Elementary Education
Eastern Michigan University

MA Early Childhood Education
Eastern Michigan University

My Personality

Top 5 Strengths

Maximizer |  Adaptability |  Activator |  Empathy  |  Connectedness

Top 3 Holland Interest Codes (RIASEC)

Social, Artistic, Enterprising

Myers-Briggs Type (MBTI)
ENFP

Outside of the Office

My Hometown

Alpena, Michigan

My Favorite Things

I love helping others heal — whether I’m leading a Sound Healing session or hosting a Wellness Workshop, it lights me up. Music is a big part of my life too; I’ve drummed in a blues band, an Oktoberfest crew, and even a marching band!

When I’m not making music or holding space for others, you’ll find me dancing, boating, paddleboarding, crafting, creating vision boards, or wandering through nature. I’m also a big fan of spontaneous travel — no itinerary, just curiosity and adventure.

My Favorite Quote

“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
~Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne

“Do the best you can until you know better.  Then when you know better, do better.”
~ Maya Angelou

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