Personally

I'm also an avid outdoorsman. I enjoy fishing, hunting, camping, and climbing, but my preferred outdoor activity is hiking. I have hiked mountains and trails all around the world, from Mt. Fuji in Japan to the Outback of Australia to the Pacific Crest Trail along the West Coast of the United States. Often I hike with my 14-year old chocolate labrador, Zoe. More times than I can recall, we have spent nights in the woods or blazed a trail up a mountain side. I am also an avid traveler, explorer, and adventurer. I've been to places like Singapore, South Korea, Bahrain, Italy, Greece, Hong Kong, Thailand, and more. Last, but certainly not least, I am a family man. With my wife, Natalie, our son, Jameson, and out Chihuahua Rico, I enjoy a quiet evening watching an HBO or Netflix drama.

My professional education coupled with my personal travels, trials, and life experiences help me bring to my classes a richer understanding of and appreciate for a multitude of cultures, communities, and ways of viewing in the world.

I was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. As such, I am a big fan of the Chiefs, the Royals, BBQ, bass fishing, country music, and jazz. I have spent, however, the last 26 years of my life in the Inland Empire region of Southern California. That also makes me a fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Lakers, and beach volleyball.