Interactive Resume

Fearless Leader

Establishes a vision that inspires, goals that motivate, and a plan that delivers results; supports team by setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback/coaching, and being an advocate.

The Basics

Work Overview

Director of Action, DIA Higher Education Collaborators (DIA)

June 2023 – May 2025 (1 yr 10 mos)

DIA’s mission is to improve student learning and retention in higher education by helping institutions move from “data to information, information to action”. DIA not only provides college partners with data on incoming students’ non-cognitive skills (e.g., time management, grit, help seeking) but supports partners in using these data to “improve cultures, strategies, and practices” among faculty, staff, and senior leaders. As Director of Action, I guided partners in the development, implementation, and evaluation of customized use-of-results plans, including (where needed) plans for product user training and support.

Associate Research Scientist, Curriculum Associates (CA)

Mar 2021 – May 2023 (1 yr 10 mos)

CA is committed to “making classrooms better for teachers and students” by providing curriculum, assessment, and personalized instruction products for nearly half of the nation’s learners in grades K-8. As an Associate Research Scientist, I worked with internal teams (e.g., product, marketing, sales) to answer questions about the implementation/effectiveness of CA products and develop external-facing materials (e.g., implementation guides, efficacy reports) for current/potential users.

Lead Assessment Consultant, JMU Center for Assessment and Research Studies (CARS)

Aug 2017 – May 2020 (2 yrs 9 mos)

Comprised of faculty and graduate student assessment consultants, CARS guides all student learning outcomes assessment efforts at James Madison University (general education, academic degree, and co-curricular/student affairs). To achieve its vision of “inspiring and empowering faculty and staff to make evidence-based decisions to enhance student learning and development”, CARS offers consultation services for programs/departments, provides assessment training for faculty/staff, and works closely with senior leaders to create systems and processes that support learning assessment. As Lead Assessment Consultant (Doctoral Graduate Assistant), I worked primarily with co-curricular/student affairs programs, training staff and devising strategies to address cultural and organizational barriers to learning outcomes assessment.

Education Overview

Assessment & Measurement (Ph.D.), James Madison University

Degree Conferred: May 2020

The A&M program adheres to a “practitioner-scientist, applied model” of graduate training. In class, students receive instruction on program assessment (measuring the effectiveness of learning programs or interventions), measurement (developing and evaluating the quality of learning assessment instruments) and quantitative methods (research design and statistics). Outside of class, students practice what they’ve learned through assessment consultation work (20 hrs/wk) and applied research projects with university partners.

College Student Personnel Administration (M.Ed.), James Madison University

Degree Conferred: May 2016

The CSPA program “prepares graduates to excel as higher education educators” working in student services offices (e.g., Career Advising, Residence Life, Disability Services) at colleges and universities. Coursework explores young adult development, career development, counseling techniques, and organizational theories among other topics. Outside of class, students have ample opportunity to apply their knowledge through two assistantships (20 hrs/week) and two 150-hour practicum experiences in student services offices. As a CSPA student, I worked in Residence Life, Career & Academic Advising, and Multicultural Student Services.

Sociology & Public Policy (B.A.), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Degree Conferred: May 2013

Completed a double major in Sociology and Public Policy, both with a strategic focus on education through electives such as SOCI 423: Sociology of Education and PLCY 530: Education Problems & Policy Solutions.

Relevant Experience

(See Comprehensive Portfolio to view work samples and case studies.)

  • DIA: Provided mentoring to an early career professional through monthly one-on-one conversations. Addressed the following topics:
    • Managing difficult conversations
    • Taking initiative/spearheading change
    • Collaborating effectively across difference (in identity, culture, occupation, work style, personality, etc.)
    • Navigating tacit workplace norms/expectations
    • Advocating for oneself with confidence
  • CARS: Supervised a small team of 2-4 graduate student assessment consultants.
    • Oversaw all training/onboarding activities for new team members (often entering with limited assessment, consultation, and facilitation experience).
    • Provided ongoing coaching, feedback, and encouragement through formal meetings and informal conversations.
  • CARS: Served as the CARS liaison for the Student Affairs Assessment Council (SAAC) at James Madison University.
    • Provided expert guidance and feedback to inform the development of assessment policies, processes, and resources for the Division of Student Affairs.
    • Built rapport with assessment coordinators across the Division; established an ethos of trust/mutual respect to facilitate effective collaboration and lay the groundwork for organizational change.
  • CARS: Oversaw the creation of a team tasked with developing a comprehensive assessment-focused professional development curriculum for educators at James Madison University.
    • Guided team in a systematic, multi-stage process (fit-gap analysis) to identify/prioritize educators’ professional development needs.
    • Developed a plan to address identified needs with recommended actions and next steps.

Other Qualifications

  • Received the Graduate School Innovation Award (Spring 2020) for my efforts to transform assessment practice within the Division of Student Affairs at James Madison University—both from the bottom-up (designing educational interventions for faculty/staff) and from the top-down (influencing university leadership to implement new division-wide policies and practices).