I have dedicated my professional life to education. It gives me great satisfaction to see ideas and concepts suddenly click for students. I am passionate about education as a pathway to new opportunities and economic success.

I attended the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in sociology, minoring in psychology. I then attended Michigan State University, where I received the master's and doctoral degrees in sociology. My areas of interest included Latin American societies and so I learned Spanish as well. I have three times had teaching assignments in Central America. I worked for many years as a full-time professor and academic administrator; I have since retired but continue to teach social sciences courses on a part-time basis. I have worked extensively with students on individual projects and have served as a mentor to many students. I enjoy working with students at the high school and college levels and have had considerable experience working with adult students.

In my leisure time I like to watch movies, to read, garden and visit friends and family members.