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Facts About Me!

What’s your Hometown?
Roanoke Rapids, but I’ve lived in Nashville and Raleigh as well.  Now I’m in Asheville.

Why did you choose to work at NCWU?
Growing up so close to the campus, I always knew about it.  Then I met Dawn Turner at a recent conference for international educators.  I was looking to get back into an academic setting after having to be away for a number of years.  Dawn let me know about the opening in APS. 

What School(s) did you attend and degree(s) earned?

• BA in Political Science and Sociology, UNC-Asheville
• Masters in Political Science, Appalachian State University
• Ph.D. in Political Science, University of Tennessee-Knoxville
• All of my advanced degrees are in political science

What’s your Favorite eastern NC activity?
ACC basketball season/watching any traditional “Tobacco Road” rivalry game.  Go Heels and Blue Devils!  (Yes, I am North Carolina born and bred, but somehow I ended up loving both Carolina AND Duke simultaneously.) 

What’s your Tip(s) for incoming students?
Get to know the staff and faculty and let them get to know you.  That’s critical for the success of so many students, and personally, I think it’s one of the greatest advantages of going to a smaller school.  I never would have made it though college without having done that.  But finding my niche, finding those people who always believed in me and were there to support me through the challenging times, that led the way to everything that’s come since college. 

What’s your Tip(s) for applicants?
I absolutely believe in exploring your personality type and trying to find career opportunities that mesh with your profile.  But don’t underestimate the importance of discovering, through for example general education requirements as an undergrad in a college setting, subjects that you never realized you might love.  They can sometimes become your passion and lead to outstanding career options.

Any other interesting fact about yourself?
I shifted gears after about 2 decades of teaching political science (primarily American politics focused courses) and got interested in international education.  That experience has enabled me to establish friendships with people and to travel to places all over the world—mostly Central and Western Europe, and Asia.  I’m conversant in French and speak some Czech and some Korean as well. 

Anything else that you think a prospective student would like to know about coming to NCWU.
It’s amazing what a springboard a great undergraduate experience can be for people.  And for adult learners, it’s never too late to pursue advanced degrees.  Some of the most amazing learning opportunities I’ve ever been a part of occurred during graduate courses I was teaching.  It can be amazing to see students from different backgrounds engage in conversations with their classmates, present viewpoints that others had never considered, and through that process expand each other’s worldviews.