How many years have you been working at UNI?
One

Briefly describe your educational background.
I have a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Kinesiology from Central Michigan University and am currently a PhD-Candidate at the University of New Mexico in Exercise Physiology.

Briefly describe your career background.
Prior to starting my first faculty position at UNI in the Fall of 2020, I taught several classes as a graduate student at the University of New Mexico, Wayne State University, and Central Michigan University.

Why did you choose this career path?
I am very passionate about the field of exercise science, and I am even more passionate about teaching. When I started my Master's program at Central Michigan, I was unsure of the career path that I wanted to take. I was lucky enough to teach a lab-based course and immediately fell in love with teaching. I also love that I get to learn every single day. Through both lecture preparation and student's questions, I feel that I am constantly growing my own knowledge.

What brought you to UNI?
I initially applied for my position because my fiancé is a professor at UNI. After setting foot on UNI's campus, I knew that I would love to work here. The warm environment, our lab equipment, the faculty and the students make UNI an amazing place to work.

What's your favorite part about UNI?
The students are completely amazing. This is the fourth university that I have taught at, and I have never been so impressed by students. They are hardworking, kind, and so much fun to work with.

What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
I had the opportunity to speak at a conference sponsored by Pure Action Yoga. My colleague and I spoke about the physiological responses of hot yoga compared to normal temperature yoga.

If involved in research, what is your area(s) of interest? What drove your interest in this area? Any noteworthy or active publications or research projects in process?
My research interests are related to the role of aerobic exercise in improving cognition and mental health in clinical populations. Struggling with mental illnesses like depression and anxiety is very common. Learning that exercise can initiate molecular changes that improve mental health prompted my passion for exercise physiology. I am currently working on my dissertation which is examining the effects of aerobic exercise on cognition and neural adaptations in obese adults.

What does being student-focused mean to you?
To me, being student-focused means recognizing that each student is different and often struggling with things that I don't know about. In response to this, I try to really get to know my students on an individual level. I want them to be comfortable telling me that something isn't working in my classroom or that they need some extra support.

We talk about helping students realize or even exceed their expectations and potential. What does it mean to you to be part of that process and see the outcome?
Watching students realize and exceed their expectations of themselves is what gets me out of bed each morning. I am a believer that every student has unrealized potential and can succeed if they have access to and know how to use the right tools. Helping students figure out what tools they're missing from their toolbox is so important and being a part of that process is the best part of my job.

What do you hope students learn from you?
I hope my students learn that if they find passion in their coursework they can make a huge difference in others' lives. They should know that their hard work today will benefit not only themselves but also others they will impact in the future.

What advice do you have for prospective/current students to make the most of their time at UNI?
The best piece of advice I have for students is to ask questions. You're not unintelligent just because you don't understand something. It's okay not to know all of the answers. If you are confused and struggling in a class, I promise that you're not the only one. You just might be the only one comfortable enough to express that concern to your professor.