I received my bachelor's degree in writing from Metropolitan State College of Denver in 2009.

During the course of my undergraduate degree (and even before that and forward through today), I have published and won multiple awards in fiction, poetry, academic essay and song writing. Currently, I write regularly for web and print media. This work has included literary magazines, news sites, and blogs. I also have been able to freelance and ghostwrite for print and online platforms.

During my undergraduate degree, I took a writing tutor course that helped me to gain theory and skills for being a writing tutor. In the class, I learned about meeting tutees where they are and to really listen to and find out what questions need addressing (everyone is different). I learned how to lead with helpful resources that can be used ongoing, even if/when tutees are unable to work with me. The goal, always, is to help direct tutees to become stronger writers who can at some point stand on their own.

The writing tutor course led to work in the Community College of Denver writing tutor center where I helped numerous tutees with their essays, poems, fiction pieces and other writings. Outside of the writing tutor center, I have also helped coach professionals, non-profit bloggers, and artists gain direction, skills, and confidence in the writing craft.

I love being able to guide students towards self-sufficiency. I often boast that I am a resources girl, and that writing is a learned skill which requires practice. Anyone, with enough diligence can master it. I think that writing is such a powerful tool. In many cases it gives people a voice. This is something I have learned from taking part as a volunteer and poet in Art from Ashes workshops (a Denver-based nonprofit organization that uses poetry and other art to empower youth). In the beginning, students are often quiet or even rambunctious, but during the course of the workshops, students begin to realize the power in their own words. It's a wonderful thing to witness!

In January, I will begin Regis University's inaugural low residency MFA where I will focus on fiction writing and poetry while I freelance for news and other content print and web media. I am excited about this. I consider it buying time to further hone my own writing (I am always learning), and I'm looking forward to being able to offer more from that experience.