A Brief History

My education and career have been a little non-traditional. But I have always used this as an advantage — thinking of it as training for a fast-changing world and positioning myself as a learner suited for adaptation. Sure, it might mean that I am not expert in anything. But I sure do like learning a little about a lot of things. I will never forget the look I got from a PhD geophysicist when I told him “I’d never want to learn a PhD’s worth about anything.” This opinion of mine changes the longer I work in academia and, perhaps, the older I get.

My education has spanned studio arts at a small liberal arts college, illustration at a legit art school, and technical communication at a STEM-dominant university. Add a smattering of community college credits and my academic transcript looks like code for a rocket launch.

My employment has included an extended internship at a metro-Detroit ad agency, healthcare marketing and communication, and research development. I also have a long track record of customer service as a server and barista. My husband and I owned and operated a small media business serving the Keweenaw peninsula with graphic design, web site development, and videography.

My community service includes providing the initial branding and marketing to the CopperDog 150 Sled Dog Race, PJ Olsson’s Rock Camp, and Keweenaw Young Professionals. I am a Rotarian of the Rotary Club of Houghton, serve on the Board of Governors for the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, and I coach the “green group” for the Ski Tigers youth program.

Over the last several years, I have volunteered hundreds of hours to my professional organization — National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP). I volunteer on the Mentoring Committee, the Communications Working Group (co-chair 2023-2024), the Great Lakes Regions Executive Committee, and the Conference Planning Committee (co-chair 2022-2024).