First, I love dogs. While this does not impact my success as an administrator, it is a big part of who I am, and I wanted to let it be known.Second, I love community engagement. Because of this love, I am dedicated to fostering relations between the university, students and local community by serving on various board of directors. In addition, I work with local chambers of commerce and small businesses to find areas where students (either via coursework or internships) can contribute to real-world solutions for the community. Third, I am a proud first-generation college graduate. My time in college as a student, professor and administrator has helped me look at a variety of situations from a variety of angles. Therefore, I am focused on increasing student participation and retention rates through experiential learning techniques like hands-on coursework and projects. I am driven by a desire to see growth in faculty, staff, & student leadership on key issues like holistic education opportunities, DEI and engaged learning. As interim dean, I continue to serve on several university committees to not only contribute to institutional service but to also maintain relationships across campus.