they/he
Learner Experience Designer
I bring my past experiences as an educator and disability service provider to the Academic Technology team as a Learner Experience Designer. I received a degree in Secondary Education (English) from Point Park University and spent six years teaching in a variety of public education settings, followed by a stint in a university disability services office. I thrive when coming up with creative solutions to problems, prioritizing accessibility, and drinking chai lattes. Outside of working to improve both faculty and student course experiences, you can find me doing a jigsaw puzzle, volunteering with community organizations, and Googling how to renovate my 100+ year-old house.
The list of things I don’t geek out about is probably shorter! My love of puzzles probably tops the list, though. I like all kinds of puzzles - word, logic, number, geographic, and jigsaw puzzles too. As someone who can do a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle in a few hours, it can get to be an expensive hobby. I joined a local Facebook group to offset the cost - dozens of people trade, meet up, or even (peak geek, here) have get-togethers.
Did you know?
My background in accessibility work frames all that I do. The disability community is historically underrepresented, especially in higher education. I operate from an accessibility mindset, incorporate elements of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and amplify disabled voices and perspectives in my work on the Academic Technology Team.
The most impactful book I read this summer was There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension by Hanif Abdurraquib. It’s a poignant, poetic novel that encouraged me to reflect on society and myself.