Education
Bryn Mawr College / AB in Philosophy
University of Pennsylvania / MS.Ed in Education, Culture, and Society (concentration: Japanese Studies)
University of Pennsylvania / ABD, Cultural Anthropology
Biography / Vision
I believe in the transformative power of a liberal arts education. I am also committed to collaborating with students and colleagues to make Haverford a fully inclusive and empowering place. That's why I became an Advising Dean: to spend more time with students, and to focus more extensively on helping them to navigate the opportunities and challenges of this intense undergraduate education. I have decades of experience working with international students, first generation and low-income (FLI) students, LGBTQ+ students, and students with learning differences. I strive to bring energy, humor, and creativity to my practice as an educator every day, and to work alongside students and colleagues to remove barriers to a fully equitable educational experience. I love working at Haverford because our students are amazing, brilliant young people who are making the world a better place.
I have been at Haverford since 2003 in various roles that center around supporting diversity, access, and inclusion (DEI) on campus. I taught for many years in the Bi-College Education Program, and then for many years in the First Year Writing Program; I identify strongly as a teacher. As Haverford's Multilingual Specialist in the Writing Center, I supported English Language Learners and developing academic writers. Most recently, as the Interim Director of the Chesick Scholars Program, I had the honor of collaborating with our incredible FLI students and a strong team of colleagues to strengthen and expand FLI student programs and resources at the college. Now, as an Advising Dean, in addition to advising my students from the beginning of their time at Haverford through graduation, I co-coordinate the Pre-major advising our faculty offer to first year students and sophomores and also co-direct the Chesick Mentoring Program, which extends the typical Pre-major advising our faculty offer in ways that are attentive to and supportive of FLI student experiences.
I want my advisees to know: I am passionate about helping you get a great education at Haverford. Even if Haverford feels unfamiliar to you, you are not alone, and you belong here. I see you, I welcome you, and I believe in you. I will listen to you, and I care about your experiences in the world. I remember how college can both expand your world and stress you out, and I had my share (or more) of complexity along the way - so you really can be completely real with me about your experiences. I don't have a magic wand or a time machine, but I will celebrate your successes with you and will help you survive any low points you encounter, and support you in untangling tough situations, too. Let's work together!
I grew up in rural America and now live in NW Philadelphia with my wife, our two teenage sons (who think I'm kind of "extra"), and our three adorable but very spoiled cats. After college, I taught middle school English in Japan for two years before starting graduate school. I'm an extrovert (ENFJ) but I also love quiet, domestic life: visiting farmer's markets, cooking, and going for long walks. I love to travel, to write, and to laugh; I enjoy watching both quirky comedies and intense tv dramas. I also read compulsively, and I will confess here that I love bad puns.
My role models include Michelle Obama, Bowen Yang, Billy Porter, Mother Blanca of the House of Evangelista, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Freeman Hrabowski, Anthony Jack, Emma Gonzalez, Karamo Brown, Karen Tidmarsh, Joyce Bylander, and (of course!) Leslie Knope.