I am a Graduate Coach at InGenius Prep and a PhD Candidate at Southern Methodist University. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Music. While I concentrated on Bassoon and Piano performance, I also studied jazz theory and arrangement. After serving in the US Peace Corps in South Africa, I earned a master’s degree in Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. Prior to attending Southern Methodist University, I worked at Campbell University coordinating accommodations for students with Learning Disabilities.
In addition to counseling students and teaching writing courses at InGenius Prep, I am currently collecting ethnographic research for my dissertation on Religion and Culture. Even though I find my research fascinating and my conference presentations and publishing invigorating, teaching is my favorite part of academic life. I have experience lecturing at the undergraduate and graduate levels on topics within my field of study such as Religious Literacy and Theory as well as topics adjacent to my field of study including film analysis, critical race theory, research methods, writing, and private music and theory lessons. For my work and dedication, I was awarded the Hope (Honoring Our Professors’ Excellence) Award in 2021. One of my primary goals as an instructor is to help students realize their potential amid life’s complications.
Apart from my work, I have a particular love for wild African village dogs (aka Canis africanis) and pit bulls. I am always up for an outdoor adventure from summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro to scuba diving with bull sharks in the Caribbean. These days I keep my music skills sharp by practicing the guitar and harmonica.
