Hello! I am a rural Missouri native with a B.S. in Biology from Missouri State University, M.S. in Teaching, Learning and Leadership from OSU, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and STEM from OSU. My professional experience includes 14 years in informal education at the Tulsa Zoo and Dickerson Park Zoo. Over the years, my main job duties included behavioral training for various bird and mammal species, volunteer management, community partnerships, program development, curriculum writing, and education department management. Now, I see myself as a devoted advocate for STEM education with 17+ years experience in program management, team supervision, building community partnerships and fundraising; I am passionate about cultivating spaces of belonging for staff and students. As the VP of Ecosystems at TRSA, I have worked to develop infrastructure and impactful partnerships to provide equitable pathways for high-quality STEM programs while providing positive team spaces for ecosystem members.When not at work, I am an active triathlete and UNAA ninja as part of the 2024 Smashfest Queen Athlete Team.