I have earned an M.Ed in the Education, Culture and Society department at the University of Utah and am currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Claremont Graduate University in Cultural Studies. I studied teaching and learning in higher education and how power structures get constructed and re-created in these environments. For my Ph.D. I am exploring how trauma is manifested in the Mad community, and what resistance efforts could be applied using affect, trauma, and cultural theory. I am exploring the use of counter-narratives as modes of resistance and community building.I love working in higher education and my community. I have been so privileged to attend college and have dedicated my life to giving back to my community and to work towards a more equitable future. I have been honored to co-create Truth Be Told Productions which works to create space for underrepresented voices and counter-narratives to be told and witnessed. I feel that my work with Truth Be Told Productions as well as with higher education have allowed me to collaborate between worlds to create an amazing synergy of social change and empowerment.