I grew up in rural Nevada and started college sure I’d be a cultural anthropologist. But creative writing hooked me, and I ended up earning an MFA at Cornell instead. Teaching and travel are my other great loves, so besides Cornell and Ithaca College, I’ve also taught writing in Turkey, Qatar, and Oman. While writing—not anthropology—became my path, my passion for folklore, oral histories, and storytelling traditions still drives my creative and academic research. In fact, one of my most influential writing teachers was Ursula K. Le Guin, whose own writing was shaped by her interest in anthropology, and her expansive empathy and imagination continue to inspire me.
For me, writing is a space for joy and play—a way to explore ourselves and new perspectives, build word-smithing muscles, and inhabit other lives and worlds. I love working with students who are just starting their college journey, and I especially enjoy mentoring young writers. It’s such a privilege and a delight to see them surprise themselves with what they can create! My classroom is a safe space to be yourself, take risks, and learn and grow in a supportive community, and I am so looking forward to meeting you.