My childhood was spent moving between various Northwestern mountain states (Montana, Oregon, Washington, Northern California, and Idaho).

The bulk of my youth was spent in rural eastern Oregon and western Idaho, where I raised sheep, chickens, and rabbits, was active in 4-H, FFA, Business Professionals of America, and other youth leadership programs.

I am a first-generation college student.

After graduating as co-Valedictorian at Payette High School, I went onto receive my BA in Sociology with a concentration in the Hesburgh Program in Public Service at the University of Notre Dame on full financial aid.

I had the opportunity to study one semester in the London Program where I also interned for a Member of Parliament in the UK Labour Party. I also was a summer intern for in the US Senate.

I received my MA and PhD in Sociology at Indiana University working with Clem Brooks and Brian Powell. My dissertation investigated the relationship between gender equality and social investment in wealthy Western democracies.

I began my career at the UC Irvine Department of Sociology, where I was tenured as Associate Professor and promoted to Full Professor.

I served as Director of Graduate Study and Equity Advisor for the School of Social Sciences.

I am currently the Director of the School of Public Policy and a Professor of Sociology at Oregon State University.

Go Beavs!