Currently, I am sitting in my cabin, calmly looking out at the sparkling ocean as we sail. Did I mentioned it is H-O-T out there? We are about to cross the equator tomorrow - Neptune Day! I have crossed the equator before on foot while visiting Kenya. However, Neptune day is for those that have … Continue reading Semester at Sea Reflection – “All aboard that train…” A Ode to Marrakech
Semester at Sea – Week 1 Reflection
When I was in high school, I remember watching The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio and Brokedown Palace with Claire Danes. It was truly those movies that mesmerized me, especially The Beach. I remember thinking Thailand seemed so far away and that I would never visit such as place. It was only something in movies that … Continue reading Semester at Sea – Week 1 Reflection
My Journey on the Fall 2026 Semester at Sea Voyage
Fall 2026 Sabbatical PRE-VOYAGE REFLECTION I remember my first BIG trip abroad. In was in 2010 when I visited Kenya, Africa during graduate school. I was enthralled by the experience. It was larger than I had ever dreamed of as a first-generation college student who had only really traveled outside of the midwest during my … Continue reading My Journey on the Fall 2026 Semester at Sea Voyage
Finding relaxation without guilt
What is it about the summer that is so healing? Every year I find solace in the sun, waking up a bit later than usual, finding retreat in my garden of vegetables and flowers. It is my most favorite time of year. This summer however, I find myself with a lack of motivation and looking … Continue reading Finding relaxation without guilt
Lessons from Faculty: Global Leadership Abroad in Stockholm, Sweden
Currently, I am co-leading a study abroad in Stockholm, Sweden for the month of May. I am a faculty member in the leadership studies program at Iowa State University. We teach global leadership and offer students to enroll in 2 courses over a month period: LD ST 370: Global Leadership and LD ST 333 Women … Continue reading Lessons from Faculty: Global Leadership Abroad in Stockholm, Sweden
My Two Cents: The Ph.D. path in Higher Education Administration
As a recent Ph.D. graduate and new faculty member at Iowa State University, I find many new prospective Ph.D.s asking me several questions and for advice on going through the same process and path to the Ph.D. in Higher Education. In fact, I could have had free coffee everyday for a month if I had … Continue reading My Two Cents: The Ph.D. path in Higher Education Administration
#SAsurvives Blog post
I wanted to archive and share a post that really resonates with my professional identity. It is with great honor that I was able to post for the The Student Affairs Collective and the #SAsurvives initiative a couple weeks ago. Hopefully my voice to empower others. Here is a link http://studentaffairscollective.org/sasurvives-silence-gives-sexual-assault-power/
The Red Zone: Sexual Assault and the College Campus
It is my favorite time of year. In the past couple weeks, I have former students pop their heads in my door, email me to meet up for coffee or lunch, and random hugs as I walk across campus. It is a time of reflection, new beginnings, and celebrations. It also is a time called … Continue reading The Red Zone: Sexual Assault and the College Campus
Self-care in Higher Ed
Throughout my life, I have been blessed and cursed with the "I want to learn everything and do everything I can" attitude. Maybe it's the counselor in me. Maybe it's the adult child in me. Maybe it's the perfectionist, control freak in me. Or just maybe, it's the higher education professional in me that wants … Continue reading Self-care in Higher Ed
How do I (fill in the blank)?
This morning, I was interviewed about my experiences as a first-generation student in relation to careers. I can't help but reflect on my interview and notice a theme. As a first-generation student, I come from humble beginnings; raised in a working class family where my father works as automotive technician and my mother as a … Continue reading How do I (fill in the blank)?
