I earned my BA in Communication Studies from Cedarville University and my MA in Communication Studies and Storytelling from East Tennessee State University. My purpose in pursuing a masters degree was to afford me the opportunity to pursue teaching at the undergraduate level so after earning my MA in Communication Studies and Storytelling in 2020, I was eager to apply for, and subsequently landed, a Lecturer position within this department. In addition to my role as a Lecturer, I serve as the Director of the Speech and Debate Team. In this role, I have the unique privilege of coaching a team of exceptional students who compete for ETSU at regional, state, and national tournaments.

Teaching Focus

I teach general education courses in Oral Communication. My goal in each of my classes is to help each of my students find their voice and grow in confidence as they develop their public speaking skills.

• • COMM 2025 - Fundamentals of Communication
  • COMM 2045 - Public Speaking
  • COMM 2055 - Argumentation and Debate
  • COMM 2700 - Professional Communication and Technology

 

Scholarly Interests / Publications

My thesis centered around the experiences of Christian women who are faced with an infertile diagnosis. I was particularly interested in exploring how particular religious ideologies, social interactions, and rituals within Christian faith communities contribute to the stigmatization and marginalization of these women.

“No One’s Gonna Say That at Church:” Women’s Experiences with Infertility in Christian Faith Communities

 

On A More Personal Note

I was born and raised in a military family, which has contributed to my belief that 'home' is where my people are, not the town or state in which I currently reside. With change in my blood, I do look forward to travelling to new places, exploring local sites, and trying different cuisines. On a weekly basis, here in Tennessee, I enjoy going to the gym with my husband, heading downtown to meet up with a friend for coffee, and coming home at the end of a long work day to join my husband and step-daughter in the kitchen to prepare a family meal.