When I first stepped onto the campus of American University, I couldn’t have imagined how profoundly it would shape the course of my life. As an undergraduate, I took a job as a campus tour guide. What I didn’t expect was that leading those tours would awaken a lifelong passion for higher education.
Every time I greeted a group of wide-eyed prospective students and their families, I felt the power of higher education come alive. I wasn’t just sharing facts about buildings or programs; I was telling the story of opportunity, discovery, and community. Watching visitors light up as they imagined themselves on campus made me realize that universities are more than institutions—they are catalysts for transformation.
That realization became a turning point. I knew I wanted to dedicate my career to creating those same transformative experiences for others. After earning my undergraduate degree, I pursued both a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Higher Education Leadership, driven by the belief that learning should be a lifelong journey and that strong leadership can shape meaningful educational experiences.
Today, I serve as Vice Provost for Graduate Programs at Santa Clara University, where I have the privilege of supporting academic innovation, enhancing the recruiting function, marketing excellence and developing new online and in person graduate programs. At the same time, I remain deeply connected to the classroom as an instructor at Acacia University in both the Schools of Education and Business and as an instructor of marketing at Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business. Teaching allows me to stay grounded in the purpose that first inspired me—to help others grow, lead, and find their own paths of impact through education.
From giving tours at American University to leading academic initiatives and teaching future educators and business professionals, my journey has come full circle. What began with sharing the story of one university has evolved into a lifelong commitment to advancing higher education—and helping others find their place within it. I have been very impressed with the students that I have taught so far at Acacia University and even with the students being in an online program, we have solid conversations and I have seen them grow.
