As of fall 2023, I have been working in higher education 30 years! Fortunately, students keep me young at heart.

In 2023, I was hired as the Director of Student Success & Retention for Southern Methodist University. In this role I study factors that increase student success and help SMU act on data and implement programs that improve student graduation. 

In 2022 and 2023 I also worked as a Consulting Advisor for Higher Talent Executive Search, served on over 50 doctoral dissertation committees at Liberty University, acted as an Admissions Coach for InGenius Prep, and taught in the graduate higher education program at Texas Christian University.

From 2010 to 2022, I worked at Baylor University in Waco, TX. While at Baylor, I spent nine years as the Dean for Student Learning & Engagement, where I led multiple departments including, Campus Living & Learning (housing), New Student Programs (orientation), a Leadership Minor, Student Activities (e.g. Homecoming), Greek Life (over 30 groups), Student Organizations (over 350 groups), the Student Union (4 story center of campus location), a performance hall (2,200 seats booked for over 600 activities/year), and Spirit and Traditions (included 2 black bears in a Class C zoo!) 

My other years at Baylor focused on Institutional Effectiveness where I partnered with the 60 administrative and student affairs departments to guide planning, assessment, and improvement. I also served as the point person for Baylor’s 5th year university reaccreditation process (SACS).

Throughout my time at Baylor, I have taught undergraduate and graduate courses in School of Business or Education on organizational behavior, leadership, and higher education management undergraduate and graduate courses. 

Before Baylor I served at Appalachian State University, in Boone, NC, where I worked as the Director of Residence Life and Graduate Faculty in Higher Education from 2003-2010.  Prior to this, I worked as the Assistant Vice-President for Student Affairs at Shenandoah University from 2001-2003 (also taught there). 

In 2001, I earned a Ph.D. in higher education administration, in 1994 I earned a master’s degree in counseling, and in 1992 I earned a bachelor’s degree in biology (with honors), all from the University of Virginia (in Charlottesville). Before starting at UVA, I earned 36 credits from Salisbury University (during 11th-12th grade in high school.) 

I have also spent time working/interning for the following institutions:      

the Federal Executive Institute         Florida State University

Eastern Mennonite University          the University of Lynchburg