About Me

I dedicate my work to three groups of extraordinary individuals, without whom my efforts would be less effective and far lonelier.

• First, I am enormously privileged to teach and mentor hard-working, committed, and ambitious social justice-oriented students. Though I am employed to provide them instruction and mentorship, I always make a point of highlighting the two-way street that our interactions entail - that while my own knowledge and training may help me instruct them in many areas, their knowledge and experience serve as absolutely invaluable resources for my own continued growth. 

• Second, I commit my research and service to help inform community conversations, to work hand-in-hand with community members to elevate their concerns, triumphs, and deliberations with whatever helpful tools I may offer.  I am particularly committed to the urban communities of which I have been an active member (St. Louis, Philadelphia, and New York), cities with wonderful people and difficult challenges. 

• Third (and certainly not least), I am ceaselessly uplifted by my supportive and nurturing family, particularly my wonderful partner and wife, Lauren, and our (nearly) always-smiling daughter, Isla. Whether things are going well, poorly, or anywhere in between, we support one another just the same and always try to have fun along the way.