White Pages

I have been Chair of the Human Services program in Valparaiso since August, 2010. Before coming to Ivy Tech Community College, I taught at Indiana University Northwest, Moraine Valley Community College, and College of DuPage. My graduate degree is in sociology, which I earned at Indiana State University, and my bachelor's degree is in social science (psychology, sociology, and social work) from Purdue University. I started my education at Ivy Tech and am a first-generation college graduate.

My interests are in social problems, social and economic inequity, homelessness, and the role of social sciences in medicine and healthcare. In my clinical career I worked for 11 years at the Alzheimer's Association, as well as Assistant Program Director at a transitional living facility for homeless individuals and families, and have worked with children and their non-custodial parents.

I have served on numerous board of directors, including the National Organization for Human Services (secretary), Charter School of the Dunes, and the Tobacco Education and Prevention Coalition of Porter County (president). I have published articles in several publications, presented at local national, and international conferences, and am the 2018 winner of the President's Award for Excellence in Teaching.

While I enjoy teaching all Human Services courses, my particular interests are:

• HUMS 102: Helping Relationships
• HUMS 109: Understanding Diversity;
• HUMS 116: Introduction to Disabilities
• HUMS 120 Health and Aging
• HUMS 124: Activity Director Basic
• HUMS 205: Behavior Modification
• HUMS 207: Program Planning and Policy Issues
• HUMS 269: Human Development and Ecological Systems

I particularly enjoy incorporating service learning and activity-based exercises to help the community and better prepare my graduates to start making a difference right away!