How many years have you been working at UNI?
Four

Briefly describe your educational background.
BS and MS from Western Illinois University; PhD From Purdue University

Briefly describe your career background.
Taught high school physical education and social science for nine years in central Illinois, coached girls volleyball and track and field, and taught 23 years in higher education at Western Illinois, Purdue, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, Ball State, and finally, UNI!

Why did you choose this career path?
I really do have a deep passion for teaching. I quit teaching for six years in the early ‘90s as I was feeling very burned out after teaching in 9-12 education and coaching. I entered the private sector only to realize how much I missed the teaching profession and especially, working with students. 

What brought you to UNI?
An opportunity to teach at one of the premier teaching universities in the Midwest and the BEST teaching university in Iowa.

What's your favorite part about UNI?
Strong sense of community, collegiality, interpersonal and professional relationships with faculty, staff, students and the Cedar Valley community. 

What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
Receiving promotion and tenure here at UNI in 2020! 

If involved in research, what is your area(s) of interest, and what drove your interest in this area?
I have two separate research lines that I have pursued over my career in higher education.

1. Since my PhD studies were based in kinesiology, I developed research interests in the psychology of movement (exercise/physical activity)—I am particularly interested in the aging “self," examining the psychological dynamics to physical change related to aging. Currently, I am looking at falls data from Iowa seniors over the last 10 years to develop a trend analysis for informing senior physical activity programming. 

2. My passion for teaching physical education has fueled a research interest in professional advocacy. I have attended national lobbying events in Washington, D.C., meeting with Iowa legislators to advocate for improved and sustained health and physical education funding for Iowa K-12 students. I have conducted advocacy research with undergraduates and physical educators, publishing articles in our national organization journals.

What does being student-focused mean to you?
I have a couple of ideas about a “student-focused” approach to educating young professionals. I stay open to my students’ needs with regards to grasping content, problem-solving, and professional application. I provide multiple opportunities to expose my students to experiences that they will encounter as young career professionals. I love when their needs and interests drive the direction of our course, it helps me stay current and connected with them. 

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?
I love, love, love watching our teaching majors slowly gain confidence as they progress through their teaching experiences. I take my role as a cheerleader very seriously as they learn more and more about their strengths and weaknesses in teaching. I have also had to engage in “tough love” when they are underperforming and walk through a “gut check” with them to determine their true commitment to becoming an educator. 

What do you hope students learn from you?
That passion for what you do is the greatest indicator of success, that we are ALL still learning, that failure will be an important part of our professional (and personal) journey, and to always ask for help in challenges (rarely will we have all of the information and answers we need on our own). 

What advice do you have for prospective/current students to make the most of their time at UNI?
Use the amazing resources (academic, professional, and personal) that we have for you! Connect with student organizations that interest you, volunteer your time in areas of interest, VISIT with faculty whenever you can (certainly when you need academic guidance, BUT many of us would love to get to know you better outside of the classroom). We are people, too!