Welcome! I am an Associate Professor at the University of Central Arkansas in the Department of Nutrition and Family Sciences (NFS). I also serve as the NFS Graduate Program Director.
At UCA, I teach undergraduate and graduate courses in the NFS department. These include graduate research methods, graduate electives, and undergraduate courses in our Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) program.
I'm a Faculty Affiliate of the Arkansas Center for Research in Economics (ACRE)'s Social Studies Library and a former UCA Service-Learning Faculty Fellow. I also serve as Academic Advisor for students pursuing the M.S. in FCS, and the M.S. in Nutrition.
In 2023, I received the Arkansas Outstanding FCS Educator of the Year Award from the Arkansas Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. In 2024, I received the National New Achiever Award from the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. I was also a member of the interprofessional team that received the 2024 UCA-CHBS Award for Interprofessional Excellence & Innovation.
As a researcher, I use experiments and survey research to examine questions in the area of consumer decision-making. I am especially interested in consumer food choice, local food, behavioral nudges, and health interventions. I also have an interest in financial decision-making and education, particularly among college students.
My work is designed to help address real-world problems, with the goal of providing useful information for individuals, policymakers, retailers, and other stakeholders. Recent collaborations include projects with the Arkansas Foodbank, the FUMC-Conway Food Pantry, and Arkansas Asset Builders, as well as curriculum efforts with the Arkansas Center for Research in Economics (ACRE)'s Social Studies Library.
Prior to UCA, I spent five years as Lab Manager of the Behavioral Research Insights Through Experiments (BRITE) Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The BRITE Lab is a joint venture between the Wisconsin School of Business and the School of Human Ecology. The lab focuses on experimental research that explores how various factors affect individual decision-making. I joined UCA in 2018.
I received my Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in consumer behavior and family economics, with a minor in ag and applied economics. I received an M.S. in ag and resource economics from the University of Delaware, which is also where I completed my undergrad. I hold CFCS and CPFFE certifications through the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.
EDUCATION
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
M.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison
M.S., University of Delaware
B.S., University of Delaware
COURSES
Undergraduate (100% online and in-person/hybrid)
FACS 3372: Personal & Family Finance (Fall & Spring; Summer I)
FACS 4317: Advanced Personal & Family Finance (Spring; service-learning course)
FACS 4V30: Undergraduate Research Workshop (1 credit hr. , Spring 2019)
FACS 4V30: Community Outreach Workshop (3 credit hrs., Spring 2022)
Graduate (100% online)
FACS 5310: Program Development and Evaluation (Summer II of even years)
FACS 6300: Current Issues in Family and Consumer Sciences (Summer I)
FACS 6309: Consumer Economics (typically Fall of even years)
FACS 6310: Advanced Resource Management (Summer I of odd years)
FACS 6335: Evidence-Based Research (Spring & Fall)
FACS 6355: Consumer Affairs (typically Fall of odd years)
ACRE Undergraduate Reading Group (in-person)
Not Your Average Housewives: From Home Economists to Human Ecologists (Spring 2024)
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Consumer Decision Making
Food Choice
Marketing of Consumer Products
Behavioral Nudges
Service-Learning
Financial Education
STUDENT OFFICE HOURS: Summer 2025
Mondays: TBD
Wednesdays: TBD
Other times if needed, by appointment! (please email me)
NOTE: office hours for Fall 2025 begin the first week of classes in August.
ACADEMIC ADVISING: Summer & Fall 2025
I am currently advising graduate students for summer and fall terms! Please email me if you have not yet enrolled.
I am currently advising M.S. in FCS students, and some M.S. in NUTR students. I can also advise any student minoring in FCS. Please email me for a time to meet (see above)!