When did you start at UMD?
I started in the fall of 2022 as an adjunct instructor and worked my way to my current position as a teaching assistant professor.
Why did you choose to work at UMD?
As a Minnesotan, my family visited Duluth and the North Shore often. I never dreamed of living here until I was finishing up my bachelor’s degree and was researching graduate programs. I found and subsequently attended UMD’s Clinical-Counseling Track within the Master of Arts in Psychological Science (MAPS) program. I felt a genuine home at UMD and Duluth. I developed strong relationships with my professors at UMD, thrived with the high expectations and critical thinking skills instilled in the courses, and interactions available between undergraduate and graduate students. It became a dream to return to UMD to teach.
I chose UMD because I am able to teach a variety of classes and students throughout their time at UMD. In addition, every semester, I find it rewarding to share that I am a Bulldog alum and have that commonality with them. I also like that so many people who work and attend UMD are outdoorsy (as am I).
Finally, it is always awesome to catch a glimpse of Lake Superior from a few classrooms on campus.
What do you like most about your job?
I think my favorite aspect of teaching is being in the classroom with students, particularly when we are discussing current examples that translate to our class topic.
I also really enjoy when I have students in multiple classes over their time at UMD. It is great to get to know them better and see their passion for Psychology grow.
Finally, I like having the ability to teach first-year students through students in their final semesters.
What is your research or teaching focus?
I teach a variety of types and levels of classes, which is fun and keeps me on my toes. With a background in Counseling Psychology, I tend to teach more “applied” or human services-focused classes, including Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Theories of Personality. I enjoy embedding in content from my past clinical work, personal experiences, and real-world situations as often as I can. My main focus is teaching, but I do have an interest in scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) research.
Do you have any advice for students?
A few come to mind right away:
Try to think about the reason behind class assignments and attending class. Do not think of them as just “checking off a task.”
Consider taking a more difficult class or a class with a professor who you think (or may have been told) is harder. These were some of my most impactful classes as an undergraduate student.
Start thinking about what you want to do after graduation as early as you can. UMD has so many resources that can help, and you can tailor your time at UMD based on your plan.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love to do anything outside. Although I feel like I have been to most of the North Shore, I still enjoy going to the various State Parks, hiking parts of the Superior Hiking Trail (the Bear & Bean Lake loop is my favorite), and going on the Lakewalk. I have also run the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon several times. Finally, I enjoy spending time with family and our two goldendoodles.