About Me
Striving for a more just, inclusive, supportive, and anti-racist world.
Through training and consulting, I equip groups and institutions with the tools to support all members of their community. We work together to develop helping and crisis intervention skills, engage in the vital work of exploring the self and understanding others, and identify and close gaps in education and outreach around issues of mental health, equity, and social justice. I can also lead teams through design thinking processes to develop their own solutions to unique and complex challenges.
My Experience
I have 15 years of experience as a Student Affairs professional. I have served as a Case Manager (both in the community and in higher education), deputy Title IX Coordinator, an adjunct faculty member, and a department director. I have extensive experience supporting adults with mental health challenges, teaching and training around mental health issues, creating policies, reports and public health education campaigns.
Over the past 5 years, I have transitioned into diversity, equity and inclusion work more broadly. I currently work for a vice president for diversity and inclusion at a large public university as the program manager of a new diversity, equity and inclusion-based onboarding program for all students, faculty and staff.
I have worked at both small private and large public institutions. I am also trained in design thinking strategies from the Stanford University d.school.
A few of my accomplishments in the areas of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion include:
Developing and managing onboarding curriculum grounded in diversity, equity and inclusion for a campus of over 50,000.
Consulting with 30+ units to develop their own inclusion-focused onboarding programs.
Facilitating design thinking workshops for faculty/staff leaders and teaching a first-year student seminar grounded in design.
Teaching Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid at multiple educational institutions, including the University of Maryland College Park, the Institute for International Education, George Washington University, Washington College, Cecil College, Catholic University, and the Mental Health Association of Maryland
Created the Terps Take Care campaign & annual interactive mental health fair, bringing together 40+ organizations to raise awareness, reduce stigma, address barriers, & enhance tools for self-care & personal wellness 2017-present
Developed professional staff Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) development program
Developed the Inclusion Institute conference-style training for 250 staff members
Co-founded embraceRace@UMD, a workshop serious for faculty & staff across campus to come together to discuss race & racism 2018-2020
Developed the University of Maryland's Mental Health First Aid program, coordinating all logistics and instructor support for the campus
Conducted an external review of a residence life program as a hired consultant, utilizing the CAS standards
Partnered with the Haven at College to open a substance use recovery house
Provided guidance, options, & resources to both complainants & respondents in incidents of sexual misconduct, stalking, harassment, & bullying as Deputy Title IX coordinator for the College of Arts & Sciences undergraduate students
Facilitated educational, prevention, & responsible employee reporting trainings to undergraduate students, faculty, & staff around issues of sexual misconduct & Title IX
Served on campus-wide Behavioral Assessment Team & Students of Concern Committee 2010-2016
Served on campus-wide Emergency Response Team & participated in drills & tabletop exercises for large-scale emergencies
My Identities
In this type of work, it is very important for me to acknowledge the identities I hold and provide that information transparently to those with whom I work.
I identify as a straight, white, non-religious (culturally Jewish), able-bodied, cisgender woman.
I use she/her pronouns.
I am a mother, partner, professional, pet owner, daughter, sibling, friend, and educator.
We may determine it is best to have multiple facilitators who represent identities I do not hold, and I have a network of excellent colleagues we can invite to provide the best opportunity for your group.
My Education
Teaching & Learning Studio 2.0, February - March 2023
Receiving advanced design thinking coaching for development of a DEI micro-credentialing program.Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate, December 2022
University of Southern Florida Office of Corporate Training & Professional EducationTeaching & Learning Studio, July 2022
Stanford University d.school, CA
Trained in design thinking, with a focus on confronting complex challenges in the field of educationMental Health First Aid, Youth instructor certification June 2021
Mental Health First Aid, Adult instructor certification July 2018
In process of becoming a national trainer for the National Council for Mental Wellbeing (instructor trainer)Doctor of Education in Leadership for Educational Justice, 2014
University of Redlands, CA
Dissertation: The Impact of College Students’ Perceptions of Residence Hall Environment on Retention Risks, as Moderated by Attachment Style
Master of Science in School Counseling, 2007
Youngstown State University, OH
Active California School Counseling license 2013-2018
Interned in public high school guidance counseling office
Provided mental health counseling at the university community counseling clinic
Provided career counseling at inner city charter high schoolBachelor of science in psychology,
University of Pittsburgh, PA