Please provide a brief bio, your educational background, research interests, and your favorite courses to teach:

I earned both my Ph.D. and M.A. in economics from Middle Tennessee State University. My B.S. in economics is from Miami University.  My current research interests include the economics of higher education, writing business case studies, economic history, and health economics.  My favorite course to teach is Investment Analysis. I have two active boys, Burke age 7 and Reed age 4. They keep me happily exhausted.  It would be very difficult to be a dedicated professor and mother if I did not have such an amazing husband, Chad. He works as a worship pastor at Fellowship Christian. 

How have you seen participation in athletics help a student be successful in your courses and as a learner in your discipline? 

Being a student athlete requires a large amount of discipline on and off the field.  I’ve noticed that many of the student athletes are phenomenal time managers.  They simply do not have the luxury to procrastinate.  It is great preparation for the real world.

What are your perceptions on the role athletics plays in our Wittenberg community and how does it help fulfill Wittenberg’s mission?

Wittenberg’s mission specifically addresses “wholeness of person.” Student athletes round out their intellectual development through heightened attention to physical well-being, leadership, commitment and service to other via athletics.

What is special about Wittenberg that makes it such an ideal University for our students to be a successful (insert) major and athlete?

Faculty members are supportive of student athletes. Many of us attend sporting events both home and away. Wittenberg has helped me to diversify my athletic spectator experiences. In the last few years I have attended my first lacrosse, men’s volleyball, field-hokey and golf matches. I take great pride in the accomplishments that my students make both on and off the field because I know the sacrifices it requires of them.

Please share a personal success story of one of your former or current students that participated in athletics that you are most proud of?

This past week 5 Wittenberg students were named NCAA student athlete of the week.  Four of the five just happened to have been my students at one time or another.  Coincidence? I think not!