Professional background

For more than 29 years, I have served VCU in an administrative capacity beginning in Continuing Education in the School of Education, which shifted to an entrepreneurial unit, SOE Associates, and then the Center for Professional Growth before the office was merged with Continuing Studies and placed under the Office of the Provost as the Office of Continuing and Professional Education. VCU Online merged with the Office of Continuing and Professional Education in 2021, so I now serve the larger unit, now called VCU Continuing and Professional Education and LEDstudio, in all things human resources and operations.

Professional Affiliations

• Association for Continuing Higher Education (ACHE)
• College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR)
• Learning Resources Network (LERN)
• University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA)

Education

• B.S. in Business Administration (concentration in management, minor in accounting), Christopher Newport University

Favorite course of all time

My favorite course of all time is Beginning Obedience Training which I took with my beautiful yellow Labrador retriever, Tanner. It was chaotic fun with a bunch of students who were just happy to be in the presence of the other students!

Professional background

I joined VCU from the Office of Policy, Planning, and Research at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. I began my career at Virginia’s Community Colleges where I served in a support capacity in several departments of the system office before becoming an administrative coordinator in the workforce development unit.

Professional Affiliations

• Learning Resources Network (LERN)
• University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA)

Education

• B.S. in Mass Communications, VCU

Favorite course of all time

The contemporary American literature electives I took as a student at VCU were some of my favorites. I was introduced to many short stories I wouldn’t have picked up on my own and enjoyed being able to read from a diverse range of voices.

Professional background

I first joined VCU in 2011 as a student worker for SOE Associates, then the Center for Professional Growth before the office merged with Continuing Studies to become the Office of Continuing and Professional Education in 2014. I served as program assistant prior to becoming the office’s operations coordinator. After VCU Online merged with the Office of Continuing and Professional Education in 2021, my role expanded to support operations for the larger unit.

Professional Affiliations

• Learning Resources Network (LERN)
• University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA)

Education

• B.S. in Sociology, VCU
• M.S. in Criminal Justice, VCU

Favorite course of all time

CRJS 616 Justice Policy and Administration – I enjoyed this class because John Reitzel is an incredible instructor! He created a laid-back environment that made it easier to not only learn from him, but my classmates as well.

Professional background

Starting as office manager of the Center for School and Community Collaboration within the School of Education, I have been with VCU since 1996 and have worked in continuing and professional education for more than 12 years. With many years of experience in higher education and an extensive background in administrative roles going back more than 20 years, I am well-versed in the makings of a successful, well-run office.

Professional Affiliations

• Learning Resources Network (LERN)
• University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA)

Favorite course of all time

My favorite course would have to be my very first college course at the age of 16. I was a junior in high school and was accepted into a college-level figure drawing course at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. That was my first indication that I was on a level with others in the arts, and was the beginning of a journey of lifelong learning.

Professional background

I have served as a budget and financial officer in higher education since 2006. I also performed library assessment responsibilities at VCU for several years, as well as contributing to that field nationally. Prior to entering higher education, I worked in the mortgage industry.

Professional Affiliations

• Executive treasurer, Richmond Academic Library Consortium
• National Association of College and University Business Officers
• Association of Institutional Research

Education

• B.S, Business Administration, VCU, 1994
• M.A., History, VCU, 2003
• Ph.D., Public Policy and Administration, VCU, 2018

Favorite course of all time

My favorite course was “How the Modern Public University Works.” Taught by a former VCU Provost, each week a different senior university leader would address the class describing their role within the university and the unique challenges they faced, and then the class would get to ask questions. One week, we might get the VP for Research and the next, might be a dean, the rector, or the director of facilities. I have never had to try so little to learn so much.

Professional background

15 years with the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) prepared me for this role. My love of helping students to be successful started in the Office of Institutional Advancement. Transitioning to the Public Relations Office allowed me to connect with students, faculty and staff on a different level.

Education

• A.A.S., Danville Community College, 2008
• B.L.A., University of Richmond, 2011

Favorite course of all time

My favorite course was Leadership and Ethical Decision Making with Dr. Joey Faucette at the University of Richmond. I learned that how you react emotionally is a choice in every situation. I hope to be a shining light for someone; to be an example of what is right and what is good. I strive to be the best me I can be and a positive for all that are watching. 

Professional Background

Before joining VCU Continuing and Professional Education, I worked with the VCU Division of Health Sciences, coordinating youth programs centered on career exploration in health sciences with a mission to increase diversity within various health fields. I joined VCU CPE as a Program Coordinator in 2018, advanced to Program Manager in 2022, and, in 2024, became the IIMC Institute Director for IIMC-approved programs. Today, I oversee a broad portfolio that spans partnerships with third-party organizations, internal VCU departments, and external collaborators, as well as select for-credit programs available to nontraditional students.

Professional Affiliations

• Learning Resources Network (LERN)
• University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA)

Education

• B.S., Virginia Commonwealth University
• Certified Contract Trainer, Learning Resources Network
• Certified Program Planner, Learning Resources Network

Professional background

For more than two decades, I have led marketing and communications initiatives for public sector programs. Most recently, I worked as director of marketing and public relations at the Community College Workforce Alliance (CCWA) - a division of Brightpoint and Reynolds community colleges. Prior to CCWA, I was the director of marketing and events at the Virginia Department of Business Assistance. I began my career of service to the Commonwealth as a senior marketing associate at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.

Education

• B.S. in Mass Communications (Public Relations), VCU
• Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing, University of Virginia

Professional Affiliations

• Learning Resources Network (LERN)
• Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
• University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA)
• Commonwealth Managers Association (CMA)
• Leadership Metro Richmond (LMR)

Favorite course of all time

My favorite course was “Media Graphics” during my sophomore year in VCU’s School of Mass Communications taught by Dr. Bob Bohle. A project to develop a personal logo yielded a treble clef with a pencil in the center – a symbol of my love of music and writing. I still have the drawing as a reminder of my educational and career journeys.

Professional background

I have worked in the world of media production for over 20 years. I spent 11 years as a video producer and coordinator of Hanover County Public Schools’ TV99, the school division’s local cable television station. In that role, I produced videos for the school division, anchored various television programs, and instructed student interns from all four of the county’s high schools. I then spent five years at Randolph-Macon College serving as a video producer, photographer, and social media specialist in the college’s marketing and communications department. Most recently, I served on the production team at Hope Church, where I oversaw all things related to visual production and live streaming.

Professional Affiliations

• Learning Resources Network (LERN)
• University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA)
• Volunteer, Friends for Life in Hanover

Education

• B.A., English, Randolph-Macon College, 2002
• Masters in Film and Television, Bond University (Australia), 2013

Favorite course of all time

I loved all of the communications courses I took in college, but one in particular was a public speaking course that I took early on during my undergraduate years. I was a bit shy and hesitant to speak in front of large groups, and this course really helped me to come out of my shell and develop the self-confidence and trust in myself to not be anxious about speaking publicly.  

Professional background

Before joining VCU, I managed a large portfolio of programs at Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville, VA. I was also responsible for holding several career exploration events for K-12 public schools. Prior to becoming a Program Manager, I was an elementary school teacher within the Virginia Public School System. Here I taught several different grade levels and had the opportunity to work with a diverse population of students.

Professional Affiliations

• Learning Resources Network (LERN)
• Virginia Education Association (VEA)
• U.S. Department of Education

Education

• B.S., Old Dominion University
• Postgraduate Professional Teaching License, Virginia Board of Education
• Certified Contract Trainer, Learning Resources Network
• Certified Program Planner, Learning Resources Network