I grew up in the rural/urban divide of Michigan, midway between Detroit and Flint, the daughter of teachers and artists, granddaughter of Ann Arbor-area farmers. My family taught me to appreciate nature and knowledge, fostering my interests in rhetoric and supporting my passion for social and environmental justice.
I hold a Bachelor's degree in Religious and Peace Studies from the University of New Mexico (UNM), a MA in Communication and Journalism from UNM, and a PhD in Communication from the University of Utah. I took what was to be my "first faculty job" at Western Oregon University after finishing my dissertation in 2002. Little did I know then, my first post-doctoral job would be my dream job and remains so to this day. When I'm not reading, gardening, hiking with our dog, playing cards/dominoes/backgammon, and writing letters, I enjoy traveling with my spouse Jackson. This photo was taken in Cienfuegos, Cuba in 2016 where I was studying Cuban ecotourism and marine conservation efforts on sabbatical (while he was flyfishing for bonefish and tarpon).