About

Experience & Professional Goals

I received my B.S. from Western Michigan University (WMU) in 1999 with a double major in Psychology and Sociology. My focus in organizational behavior management (OBM) and social psychological research provided practical opportunities with research methods and organizational consulting. Under Dr. Thomas Ford, in the Department of Sociology, I received the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Award to support an independent study of humor and sexism. As part of a seminar course in the Department of Psychology, I headed a performance management project with physicians on improving compliance with medical record completion. This provided a life-like context in which to analyze a performance challenge and apply a systemic solution.

The degree initially helped me do some substitute teaching in middle schools and high schools, but I ended up as an employment coach for developmentally disabled adults, prior to leaving Michigan, and then in San Diego . When I moved to California nearly five years ago, I found a number of continuing education opportunities that allowed me to pursue my interest in Internet technology. I've taken courses in Web page design and internet application development through the San Diego Community College District before and during my efforts toward completion of the M.A. degree at San Diego State University. My continuing professional interests are in Performance Support Systems, Distance Education and E-Learning technologies.

Personal Interests

Music has always been an important part of my life. I play the drums in a jazz ensemble and like to experiment with electronic music production. Some of my other hobbies are photography, fishing, camping and spending time in my hammock.