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 to remove barriers to a fully equitable educational experience.    

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.  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 working alongside our incredible FLI students and my incredible 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 premajor advising our faculty offer to first year students and sophomores and also direct the Chesick Mentoring Program, which extends the typical premajor 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 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 real with me about your experiences.  I don't have a magic wand, 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.  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 write, I read compulsively, and 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.