We envision a West Houston where everyone has opportunities for great experiences to live, work, and play. We believe in quality development, sustainable infrastructure, long-term planning and evidence-based public policy. Through collaboration, education, and advocacy we address the challenges facing the greater West Houston region in order to create opportunities for its people.

Lead the Houston Action Research Team (HART) program - Interdisciplinary teams of Rice undergraduate students who work with community partners to address challenges facing Houston and its residents. Managed the completion of 30+ projects with non-profit and government entities. Teaching students in the classroom and beyond about civic leadership and how to be an engaged citizen. Responsible for assessment planning and coordination across the Center.

Created and taught courses in-person and online on American Politics, Texas Government, Public Policy and Research Methods. Conducted research and published on the impact of new media technology on political behavior. Created and implemented surveys for data collection and analysis as well as analyzed big data using statistical software. Served as a member of the working group on Disasters and Emergency Management exploring how social media is used by various agencies and individuals in relation to extreme events.

Conducted research, supported classroom teaching and evaluation, created and implemented surveys for data collection and analysis using statistical software (Excel, STATA, SPSS, R) for my own work and on behalf of faculty in the political science department.

Coordinated political and marketing campaign strategy, assisted with campaign operations, and advised on public relations, website and staffing issues. Worked with entrepreneurs on startup business planning, strategy and execution. Provided subject matter expertise: defense, foreign policy, homeland security, space & political psychology.

Coordinated over 150 events taking place at Comicpalooza including panel discussions, celebrity Q&As, industry presentations, film screenings, sporting events, and musical acts. Organized, oversaw and executed promotional events and social media efforts for Comicpalooza including creation of an official blog, YouTube channel, and Facebook page, and led efforts to revitalize community forums. Supervised a staff of volunteers before and during the convention.

Managed human resources, public relations, legal, finance, fundraising and security for an international non-profit organization. Coordinated the management of grants and project study proposals on sensitive topics as well as relationships with government agencies, corporate sponsors and international partners. In addition to administrative responsibilities; prepared briefings, papers, and presentations on topics relating to national security and international affairs for corporate, academic and government audiences.

Provided clerical and research support for the Department of Defense and Strategic Studies at Missouri State University. Additionally, set-up and computerized the departmental library.

Served in a temporary position with the Office of Defense Continuity and Crisis Management, where I led a research project and briefing outlining strengths/weaknesses of continuity assurance and developed a report on the “best practices” in both the public and private sectors in crisis management, which included discussions with government and corporate representatives, and presenting the report to senior project managers, executive staff, and the Deputy Assistant Secretary.

Attended Congressional hearings, researched, wrote and presented on Homeland Security issues, including Bio-defense, Cooperative Threat Reduction, Emergency Management, and Homeland Security Oversight. Developed and implemented an office-wide Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan that became a model for member organizations.