Small-town gal who fell in love with college and never left. My favorite thing in higher education is student conduct and conflict resolution because I know it has the power to heal. I’m a total nerd for the Buffalo Bills, Star Wars, Avengers and any underdog in search of a win.

We already assume you’re a good person, so you don’t have to defend yourself. This is an opportunity for all of us to learn. Don’t worry about right/wrong, good/bad. We’re all human beings just trying to hear each other’s stories and make the world a little better. Instead of focusing on the rules, come prepared to talk about people and impact. That’s what this is about.

I was raised in the California Bay Area and I am an avid animal lover. I have had 7 dogs, 3 birds, a bunny and an aquatic turtle. I joined F&M in 2019. In addition to working in higher education, I spent 7 years working as a professional counselor in multiple settings, including a prison, family services and a private treatment facility. I love rollercoasters, international travel, festivals and going to brunch.  So far, I’ve been to 22 countries on 4 continents, and I am hoping to add more very soon. When I’m at home, I enjoy painting and catching up on whatever series I can binge-watch! 

My background in counseling usually informs how I see the role of conduct in a student’s life. I truly view it as an educational process, in which we learn to better understand the vital connections between choices, outcomes and desired goals. 

I grew up in Connecticut, but have lived in Denmark (ask me about salty licorice!) and in a number of parts of the US, but Lancaster has been one of the places I’ve enjoyed the most.  My family and I have been here since 2005. I really enjoy playing board games, exercising and walking with family and friends, and delicious food!

It really goes a long way when I see that the students I am working with are being transparent (i.e., honest), thoughtful (especially in terms of looking at the impact of their actions from different points of view), and open to change.  We all make mistakes; it’s whether or not we learn and grow from them that matters most, I think. 

Starting out as a student center manager in College, I found a career working with College students, supporting their growth and voice.  I love the sense of place that historic colleges like F&M bring to student learning! 

I’m from Brookhaven, Pennsylvania. Currently, I’m a sophomore with an intended BOS major and history minor. Some things I’m involved in on campus include the Track & Field team, First-Generation Diplomats, and being an Upperclassmen House Advisor. During my free time, I love reading and running! Like many others, I wanted to join the Conduct Committee to ensure the voices of students are heard. My advice is to tell your full side of the story, and most importantly, the truth! 

I’m from Lansdale, Pennsylvania and I fell in love with the diversity and culture of Lancaster. I’ve always had a passion for bringing people together, and I found that I can use the tools of conflict resolution to make that a possibility. Through mediation and restorative justice, there is so much potential for making a better world. My favorite things are iced vanilla lattes, donuts, Taylor Swift music, and my family and friends. I also tend to get obsessed with television shows for periods of time.

My main piece of advice is simple: be honest. Honesty is so important. No matter what happened in the past, if you come into a session with honesty, and take accountability for your actions, the meetings will be so much better for all of us involved. To move forward successfully, we need to have a space of mutual respect, which is built on honesty! 

I am originally from northern Indiana. Like many in academia, I have lived all over the US. I moved to PA with my wife and two kids in 2012. I own a 20 acre farm south of campus where I grow most of my own food (spring, summer, and fall). I enjoy cooking and often do multi-course meals with everything grown within 300 feet of the table. I raise chickens for eggs and have a menagerie of other critters. I also build and sell furniture, turn bowls, and make all things wood from lumber that I harvest on my property. I love electric blues and extreme metal.

My main piece of advice is to approach the conduct process as a learning process. We all make mistakes - every single one of us. Admitting one’s weaknesses, being accountable for one’s actions, and learning to make better choices takes strength, maturity, and courage. No matter how you ended up here, you have the opportunity to build and to practice skills that will benefit you well beyond your time at F&M. We are here to help you. You have to do the work, but we are here to guide you through the process if you will let us.   

I’ve been at F&M for going on 30 years. I grew up in rural PA (Berks County). My parents and four of my five siblings are artists or musicians. I started my scholarly career as a documentary filmmaker but got really interested in the psychology of movies and gradually shifted to writing about that. Lately, I’ve been studying video games, too. I bike a lot. (Lancaster has some of the best cycling roads in the country, in case you are interested.) I also keep bees.

Be honest. Trying to wriggle out of responsibility does not help you avoid the consequences of your mistakes. In fact, it often makes them worse. So, if you make a mistake--even if you are caught cheating or deliberately breaking a rule--own it, apologize for it, and think about what harm you may have caused and what you can do to make it right. When I see a student genuinely doing that, I’m far more sympathetic to them, and far more inclined to give them a pass, than if they appear to be trying to deny having done anything wrong, when it is pretty obvious that they have.  

A New Englander at heart, my teaching and research have brought me across the US and to Indonesia, the UK, and Sweden but these days I’m very happy to spend most of my time just a few blocks away in Lancaster City. When I’m not working, I’m likely to be reading, going for long runs, thinking about my next meal, obsessing about fonts and typefaces, or watching documentaries. 

As a teacher, sociologist, human, and trained conflict mediator, I truly believe that this process works best if you are willing to engage, reflect, and grow. People don’t achieve “goodness” by being perfect; perfection is an impossible goal! Instead, we act honorably by acknowledging and learning from our mistakes, and by making adjustments we can feel proud about as we move forward. 

Come with goodwill, ready to share honestly (about your actions and perspectives), to listen deeply (to others), and to grow.

I grew up in Lancaster County and then attended West Chester University. After college, I have had a variety of jobs including substitute teacher, fitness instructor, and marching band instructor. 

When I am not working you’ll find me reading or editing podcasts.

It is important, to be honest with the committee but also with yourself. So take time to seriously reflect on your actions and circumstances so that you can have an open, honest and effective conversation.