Posted December 09, 2021 in Alumni Profile
Lawrence School, 2007
BSW, Cleveland State University, 2012
MSSA, Case Western Reserve University, 2014
Ph.D., University of Texas, 2019
Lawrence showed me how powerful it is to feel a sense of belonging in the classroom. I think that is actually one of the reasons I’ve spent so much time in school and continue to work in one today.
Since graduating from Lawrence, what have you been up to?
After high school graduation, I enrolled at Cleveland State University to study social work and then stayed in northeast Ohio to attend graduate school at Case, where I received a master’s in social work with a concentration in gerontology. I then decided to make a big life change—I moved to Texas! There I found work as a social worker at a nursing home and began to pursue a Ph.D. from the University of Texas. Eventually, I finished my doctorate and landed a job back in Ohio at Bowling Green as an Assistant Professor. In addition to teaching, I also love to write, publish and do research.
I was recently named director of BGSU’s Optimal Aging Institute, which is a small center on campus that partners with the local senior center. We connect the university with the older adult community through panel discussions, educational presentations, and other programming. These connections are so important for both our students and the elderly.
How did Lawrence prepare you for your extensive post-secondary academic career?
My experiences at Lawrence taught me small class sizes are where it’s at! They allowed me to get to know my teachers on a personal level. Throughout my college career, I continued to establish relationships with my professors beyond the scope of the class. These relationships were so helpful as I moved through school. Conversations with one professor, in particular, led to an opportunity to work on a research project and eventually led me to pursue a Ph.D.
I also carry with me the organizational strategies that were taught at Lawrence. Those skills have made me efficient and productive. In fact, even today you can see them in action simply by peeking into my email! At the end of each day, my goal is to have an empty inbox with messages sorted and filed into folders, which I organize by semester. I apply organizational systems like this to my computer files and all kinds of other things.
But above all, Lawrence showed me how powerful it is to feel a sense of belonging in the classroom. I think that is actually one of the reasons I’ve spent so much time in school and continue to work in one today.
Did your relationships with your Lawrence teachers shape your teaching style?
Absolutely! It was the inclusivity and the comfortable relationships with Lawrence teachers that taught me how to interact with my own students. When someone comes to me with their accommodations, I am very mindful that they receive whatever they need to be successful. I also share with them that I learn differently myself.
What made you decide to pursue social work as your field of study?
I took a year off after I finished my undergraduate degree to spend time with my late grandfather in his long-term care facility. I found myself using my social work skills to advocate for him and the other residents. I’m so grateful for the time I was able to spend with him and it helped me determine what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I think of him often in my work.
What is your fondest memory of Lawrence School?
During my senior year, each student spent the month of May shadowing a professional working in a field they were interested in. At the time I was considering pursuing medicine, so Mrs. Callahan connected me with a friend of hers who was an orthopedic surgeon. I was able to sit in during surgeries and other procedures. It was such a cool experience and I don’t think it would have happened at any other school!
How do you spend your free time?
I’m so happy to be back in Ohio—my immediate family all live here and I get to see them quite often. My Texan fiancé moved here with me and is getting adjusted to our winters. Thus far, he's not a huge fan, but he is acclimating. We enjoy the outdoors and I run a couple of half marathons every year. We are planning our wedding for next summer in Cleveland!