Who I am

Supporting others as they develop their academic, professional, and global communication skills has been the focus of my work and my passion for over twenty years. As an Associate Professor at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey, CA, I lead academic initiatives in the areas of faculty development, curricular reform, and institutional accreditation. As a former a program director at Ohio University, I taught Applied Linguistics graduate coursework and engaged in faculty professional development focusing on Teaching with a Global Perspective. I have also been involved in a number of materials writing projects using multimedia and online teaching, including a grant with the U.S. State Department AE E-Teacher Program for a faculty professional development program on English as the Medium of Instruction. Check out my tips on Teaching with a Global Perspective.

Outside of work, you'll find me hiking, camping, scuba diving, or any other outdoor activity I can find! Or enjoying my passion for choral singing of classical repertoire.

Education

Ph.D. in Education, Curriculum & Development: Instructional Technology, Ohio University, in March 2008.
Dissertation: The Discourse of Relationship Building in an Intercultural Virtual Learning Community

M. A. in Applied Linguistics from Ohio University, in June 2001

Key Experience

Associate Professor, Provost's Office of Standardization and Academic Excellence, Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, Monterey, CA, Aug. 2020 - present

Director, ELIP: Academic & Global Communication Program, Linguistics Dept., Ohio University, Sept. 2005 – July 2020

Founding Director of program that supports fully-matriculated international and domestic graduate and undergraduate students as they develop their academic literacies and communication skills in order to succeed in their disciplines and/or careers; taught graduate-level coursework in Graduate & Global Communication and Applied Linguistics; supervised curriculum and materials development utilizing innovative technologies, including online courses; initiated and oversaw international projects and programs; sat on university committees & maintain university collaborations; supervised seven full-time faculty & one administrative assistant

Director, International Programs and Certificates, Linguistics Dept., Ohio University, Sept. 2017 - July 2020

Initiated, maintained, and oversaw online certificates and endorsements in Teaching English for Specific Purposes, Teaching English as a Foreign Language, TESOL Endorsement for K-12 teachers, TESOL and Teaching Young Learners, and Business English

Co-Facilitator, Faculty Learning Community: Teaching with a Global Perspective, Office of Instructional Innovation, Ohio University, Sept 2014 - 2019

Led interdisciplinary, campus-wide Faculty Learning Community and workshops that support faculty as they revise syllabi and materials to create an inclusive campus that prioritizes global learning

English Language Specialist, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs  March 2012 – present

Have conducted six projects in India, Indonesia, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, and Brazil (as a Virtual Specialist) on the topics of Academic and Professional Writing, English for Specific Purposes and English as the Medium of Instruction, Instructional Technology, Materials and Curriculum Development, Teacher Training, and Program Assessment; created and delivered six webinars, including on game based learning

Core Instructor, Global Leadership Center, Center for International Studies, Ohio University Sept. 2002 – June 2007

Served as lead instructor in two undergraduate courses and team taught in six undergraduate courses in this two-year certificate program employing international project- and team-based learning working with domestic and international partners; planned and led five online intercultural exchanges and education abroad experiences

Lecturer, Ohio Program of Intensive English, Linguistics Department, Ohio University Sept. 2001 to Sept. 2005

Taught all proficiency levels and skill areas in this Intensive English Program for non-native English speakers from many countries

Peace Corps Volunteer, El Salvador, Central America March 1997 – May 1999

Taught EFL to Spanish-speaking students at the beginning to intermediate proficiency levels; worked in local clinic and delivered community health workshops in Spanish