About Us

It’s a true pleasure to be here. My professional journey has been anything but conventional, and I’m proud of how it’s shaped who I am today. As a non-traditional, first-generation student, I made the decision to return to school in my 30s, and it quickly became clear that I had found my calling. I approached every opportunity with enthusiasm, and my passion for learning and growing in this field fueled my success.

Throughout my time at university, I immersed myself in every opportunity that came my way—whether it was writing policy recommendations, submitting research for publication, or advocating for change at the State Capitol during Advocacy Day. My commitment to academic excellence was recognized with honors like the Non-Traditional Student of the Year award, Phi Kappa Phi induction, and consistent inclusion on the Dean’s List.

In addition to my academic accomplishments, I was honored to be accepted into the SIU School of Medicine’s Trauma-Based Behavioral Health Fellowship. This intensive fellowship provided me with advanced, hands-on training in trauma-informed practices, where I developed evidence-based treatment plans and honed my ability to support individuals in healing from trauma. This experience not only deepened my understanding of trauma but also expanded my toolkit for providing compassionate, effective care to those in need.