Hello! I am an Assistant Professor of Practice and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Political Science at Purdue University. I teach classes on intelligence, US foreign policy, terrorism, and international relations. I have been deeply involved in program building at the undergraduate level. I am interested in the evolution of the U.S. intelligence community and the role it plays in U.S. foreign policy. I also explore how we educate about national security. 

Prior coming to Purdue, I worked for 10-years as an analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). My expertise centered around failed states, civil conflict, governance, and elections. I spent a significant amount of time in Afghanistan.  As senior analyst, I was involved in all stages of the intelligence process from collection to providing policymakers with finished intelligence. I regularly wrote for the President of the United States and other senior policymakers. Additionally, I provided countless briefings to a wide range of audiences, including CIA leadership, members of Congress, the Secretary General of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and other partners, National Security Council (NSC) Staff, members of the US military, and US Ambassadors and diplomats. 

My teaching and engagement are very much informed by my time working for the CIA and experiences with the policymaking process in Washington DC. I also regularly mentor and provide guidance for students who are interested in pursuing jobs in intelligence and foreign policy. I’ve pulled together some information here that I hope will be useful. 

I received an MA in politics from New York University and a BA in economics and government from Smith College. I grew up on Orcas Island in Washington State. I enjoy traveling, surfing, sailing, reading, gardening, cooking, and spending time with my husband and our adorable dog Django.