By Sarah Fulton
Staff Writer
What brought you to RU and why do you choose to work here?
“I started back when I was living in the states during the pandemic, and I got a job in 2020 with my first course. I had just left a master's degree program in Scotland and was living in California. Ever since I was in college, I have had a strong desire to educate others.”
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
“I think it's moments like these where I can make long-lasting relationships, especially with students while working in higher education. And I think it's the environment, just the atmosphere that I can create with course content, ice-breakers, discussion posts, etc. that amplify their responses to
certain assignments.”
What do you do to have fun or relieve stress?
“To have fun, I like art, reading, hiking with my boyfriend and family, and I’m also a big foodie! One thing that I think help relieves is taking one thing at a time. My first career before I became a professor was theatre, and when I’m stressed, I remind myself of certain things and the advice I’ve held onto from a co-worker.”
Where did you grow up?
“I grew up all over the U.S. as I was in a military family. My earliest memories reside in Ann Arbor. Living in California from the start of high school, I eventually graduated high school in Maryland, ended up in college, and worked on and off-Broadway in New York. I then moved to Maine and Scotland, and now currently reside in England at the University of Nottingham.”
What is your favorite thing to do in Michigan?
“When I was younger, I have this vivid memory of my favored place being an apple orchard and I love apples as a favored fruit! I also enjoy attending ice hockey with family and University of Michigan games.”
What in your life do you feel most passionate about?
“I can get quite passionate about lots of things! Personally writing and accessibility to education mainly because I grew up all over, and I feel students should have a safe and secure environment so they can reach their goals and reach desires with higher education. That made me want to help people, and I think it’s 100% required as educators to try our best to make our students feel as respected and invited as possible either virtually or in person.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
“I've got so many embarrassing moments! I’d say there was definitely this one time that I lived in Texas when I was five, and I loved watching cartoons! I had gone away to my grandparents and just returned home where my mom and I were at a grocery store. And so, this one cartoon I was watching had this character where they would literally kiss the ground in excitement! So as I was so excited to be back home, I was in that grocery store with my mom, and I kissed the ground just like that same cartoon and immediately became so embarrassed that so many people in the store saw it!”
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?
“I would say learning to be settled because I had a very unsettling childhood moving around from one place to another. And really, learning to have a home and to be settled in a place to just stay in.”
What single piece of advice would you give to students today?
“I would say a piece of advice I would give is that you do not have to have it all figured out before or even as you’re graduating. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Try new things to see if you like them! You don’t know what the future holds! Have a plan and don’t be afraid for those plans to change.”