Where are you from?
Lakeland, Florida

What is your favorite spot on Florida Southern’s campus?
I love Mr. George’s Green. It’s so nice to sit under the trees and enjoy the beautiful Florida weather!

What drew you to Florida Southern?
Having grown up in the Lakeland area, Florida Southern has always been a part of my life, from swimming lessons when I was little to sporting and theater events and even to academic competitions hosted on campus. When I decided I wanted to work in academia, Florida Southern was the obvious choice.

What do you enjoy most about working with students?
The kind of students who come to Florida Southern are bright, driven, and incredibly talented. It is a joy to interact with those students on a daily basis and be a part of one of the most important decisions of their lives.

Describe a perfect Saturday in Lakeland.
Even as a Lakeland native, I’m constantly discovering new and wonderful things about this city. But if I had to choose, it would probably start with brunch at Frescos downtown, followed by shopping at the Lakeside Village, where I always stop at Tea Largo for a Teaki Bar popsicle!

What are your favorite hangouts or restaurants in Lakeland?
My new favorite restaurant is the Tennessee Smoke House. Their pulled pork is amazing! I also love the Mugs ‘n’ Movies at Palm Cinema. They show movies about three months late at a discounted price, and you can order wonderfully greasy food that is served while you watch the movie.

Any hobbies or outside interests?
I’m an avid blogger, and I love to read and write. I also love watching movies of any genre, cooking, and playing board games with friends.

What’s something that would surprise people about you?
I have a strange affection for sci-fi action movie series, like Terminator, Jurassic Park, and anything involving Alien, Predator, or Alien vs. Predator.