I am the Director of Communications at the Center for Transportation Research (CTR) at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. For two and a half years, I have led and executed the center's communication strategies. I manage the center's social media platforms, including LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and cultivate relationships with media outlets and stakeholders. I also provide communication guidance and support to the center's research staff, faculty, and partners on various projects and challenges.In addition to my role at CTR, I have over seven years of experience as a communication instructor at the college and university level. I teach courses on fundamental communication, interpersonal communication, public speaking, business communication, and human communication at Pellissippi State College and Indiana Wesleyan University. I am passionate about educating and empowering the next generation of professionals and leaders. I aim to explore and understand the dynamics and implications of communication and leadership in academia and beyond.I recently completed my Ph.D. in Education Leadership. My qualitative dissertation explored the relationship between the research goals of a university as they align with the tenure and promotion goals set for faculty.