Education
Ph.D. Anthropology
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Earned May 2016
Dissertation research on the communication and interaction styles chosen for political engagement among grassroots women’s organizations in western Pennsylvania. Linguistic and ethnographic analyses are used to show how specific conceptualizations of democratic governance and effective political practice are reflected and reified in distinct linguistic and communicative choices. Through analyses of variation in narrative, voicing, and intertextual marking, I show the ways in which factors such as gender and regional identity impact the assessment and use of various communication and interaction styles across a range of political contexts.
M.A. Anthropology
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Earned May 2010
M.A. qualifying assignment completed in April 2009 on corruption, politics, and state-building in Papua New Guinea. Work entitled “State Power as Fantasy and Failure: Politicians in the Papua New Guinean ‘Weak State.’” Completed coursework in nationalism, comparative studies of corruption, Melanesian ethnography, globalization and development, and the history and theory of anthropology.
M.A. Linguistics
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Earned May 2007
Major papers on political advertising, verbal harassment policy, and legal approaches to dispute resolution in the United States. Coursework in language documentation, endangered languages, phonology, morphology, language and mind, language and gender, language contact situations, ethnography of speaking, conversation analysis, and verbal art.
B.A. English Literature, B.A. Political Science
Allegheny College, Meadville, PA
Earned May 2004
Senior thesis on historical shifts in social and legal understandings of ‘hate speech’ in the United States. Coursework in international security, political philosophy, American civil rights, law and society, impacts of literature on political movements, and history of the English language.
Certificate
Language Documentation
UCSB In-Field Institute, Santa Barbara, CA
Earned August 2008
Recorded and documented portions of Ekegusii. Created preliminary electronic dictionary databases as well as basic phonological and morphological analyses. Collaborated using PB wiki. Participated in seminars covering audio recording, video recording, audio hardware for field linguistics, linguistics software, and database management.
Teaching Experience
Lecturer August 2016-Present
California State University, Long Beach, CA Departments of Anthropology, Linguistics, Political Science, and Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies
Developed syllabi and teaching materials and instructed courses for graduate and undergraduate students of Anthropology, Linguistics, and related disciplines. Courses developed include, but are not limited to the following: “Introduction to Linguistics”, “Language and Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective”, “Women, Labor, Power, and the U.S. Economy”, “Introduction to Cultural Anthropology”, “Language and Social Justice,” “Modernization in Global Perspective,” “Anthropology of Gender,” and “Culture and Communication”.
Developed and ran study abroad program focusing on modernization in the Balkans and ethnographic field methods. Program is offered on-site in Bulgaria (2019-present).
Guided first-year graduate students in the Anthropology and Geography M.A. programs at CSULB in research design, ethics, methods, and data analysis through a first-year seminar entitled “Ethnographic Research Methods.”
Mentored students in academic writing technique and professional development through coursework and extracurricular workshops. Facilitated in undergraduate students’ development of successful application materials for graduate school and academic conferences. Advised graduate students on thesis projects and academic trajectory. Educated students on communication styles that may facilitate more productive discussions of sensitive and controversial issues, depending on context.
Lecturer August 2013-July 2015
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Department of Anthropology and Women, Gender and Sexuality Program
Developed syllabi and teaching materials and instructed courses for undergraduate students of Anthropology, Linguistics, Gender Studies, and related disciplines. Courses developed entitled “Language and Culture,” and “Sex, Gender and Culture.”
Mentored students in academic writing technique through courses designed to meet University of Virginia requirements for undergraduate writing development. Advised students on academic trajectory. Educated students on communication styles that may facilitate more productive discussions of sensitive and controversial issues, depending on context.
Teaching Assistant
January 2015-May 2015
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Women, Gender, and Sexuality Program
Developed teaching materials, graded assignments, and taught weekly discussion sections for undergraduate students in collaboration and consultation with lead instructor. Advised and educated students on communication styles and techniques necessary for productive discussions of sensitive and controversial issues related to gender. Course entitled: “Introduction to Gender Studies” (lead instructor Corinne Field).
Instructor
August 2011-August 2013
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
English Language Institute (ELI)
Designed materials and taught advanced-level ESL courses in reading, writing, grammar, and test preparation (TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, and GRE) for international students, including those admitted to and preparing to enter both undergraduate and graduate programs.
Administered and assessed placement exams and International Teaching Assistant (ITA) testing for the ELI, the State of Pennsylvania, and the University of Pittsburgh.
Instructor
August 2010-August 2011
Kaplan International College, Washington, DC
Intensive English Program
Developed syllabi, designed materials, and taught intermediate and advanced-level ESL courses in writing, pronunciation, and test preparation (TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, and GRE) for international students, including those admitted to and preparing to enter undergraduate and graduate programs as well as diplomatic service. Coursework targeted increasing proficiency of students’ written, oral, and aural skills. Courses taught include “Higher Intermediate Integrated Skills;” “Advanced Conversation;” “Advanced Academic Writing;” and “TOEFL Preparation.”
Teaching, Technology, and Support Partner
August 2009-July 2010
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Department of Anthropology and Teaching Resource Center
Organized and conducted workshops, created interactive tutorials, and provided one-on-one support for Anthropology Department faculty and graduate students on integrating technology into course design and everyday teaching practices.
Mastered new software and technologies available at the University of Virginia, including standard wiki and blog programs (PBwiki, Confluence, Now-Comment, Wordpress), basic xhtml coding (Dreamweaver), and collaborative worksite technology (Sakai Collaboration and Learning Environment, UVA Collab).
Instructor
July 2006, July 2007, July 2010
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Summer Language Institute, English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
Developed teaching materials and taught intensive immersion-based ESL classes to incoming international graduate students, including those entering the law and business schools to help them increase the proficiency of their oral, aural, and written English language skills. Courses taught include “Academic Writing,” “Oral Communication and Presentation for Law and Business,” and “Listening and Pronunciation.”
Editor, Writing Tutor
August 2005-May 2008
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Writing Center
Provided writing and editing support for graduate students in the process of writing their thesis or dissertation. Specialized in providing support for international students.
Teaching Assistant
August 2007-May 2009
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Department of Anthropology
Developed teaching materials, graded assignments, and taught weekly discussion sections for undergraduate students in collaboration and consultation with lead instructor. Advised and educated students on communication styles and techniques necessary for productive discussions of sensitive and controversial issues related to language, identity, gender, sexuality, culture, and religion. Courses for which I have served as a teaching assistant, including names of lead instructors, are “Austronesian Language Areas” (Peter Metcalf 2007); “The Anthropology of God” (George Mentore 2008); “Language, Culture, and Society” (Tara Sanchez 2008); and “Introduction to the History and Theory of Anthropology” (Ira Bashkow 2009).
Instructor
August 2005-August 2007
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Center for American English Language and Culture
Designed materials and taught advanced-level ESL courses in academic writing and presentation skills, as well as in English grammar and pronunciation. Suggested and revised syllabi in conjunction with faculty and program directors. Courses taught include “Intermediate ESL Academic Writing,” and “ESL Oral Communication and Presentation.”
Administered oral, aural, and written language placement exams (SPEAK and UVELPE) for international students.
Teaching Assistant
August 2003-December 2003
Allegheny College, Meadville, PA
Department of Political Science
Advised first year students on the development of several genres of academic writing, including briefing and memo writing, in consultation with the lead instructor. Course entitled: “Intelligence Analysis and Writing” (lead instructor Howard Tamashiro).
Additional Relevant Experience
Co-Founder and Senior DEI Consultant, Willing Observers LLC October 2021-Present
Imagined and created a diversity consulting firm that centers cultural inquiry and critical observation to solve diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues in organizations. Consciously incorporated anthropological theory and methodology into research methodology, strategy development, and overall diversity consulting practice.
Co-developed and implemented paid internship programs between university Anthropology departments and Willing Observers to train Anthropology students in necessary job skills related to industry-specific applied anthropological research, writing, and training focused on DEI practice.
Designed and implemented public education campaigns as well as focused DEI assessments, workshops, and trainings for corporate, non-profit, and community partners based on existing literature and research findings.
Developed mixed methods research and DEI metrics toolkits with an emphasis on appropriate uses for qualitative data collection, assessment, and tracking.
Co-Chair Public Policy, American Association of University Women California June 2023-Present, California State Board Member
Collaborated with legislative advocates and partnering organizations to set annual legislative agenda and select co-sponsored and priority legislation. Co-authored legislation, as requested.
Set annual committee goals and budgets and managed sub-committee programs and agendas, including 2023-2024 project to identify and run progressive school board candidates in regressive districts.
Coordinated with national organization and local branches on legislative priorities, policy education, and program implementation.
Created annual educational social media campaigns around legislative agendas, voting rights, relevant current events, organizational policy priorities, and voter information, as needed.
Public Policy Committee Member, American Association of University Women California August 2018-Present, California State Committee
Collaborated with board members to review 2018-2023 California ballot-initiatives, organization policy-priorities, and set lobbying strategy.
Created educational webinars on voting rights and voting logistics during election cycles as well as educational social media campaigns around legislative agendas, as requested.
Co-Organizer, Abolition Open School September 2020-September 2021
Collaborate with colleagues across the CSU and UC systems to imagine and bring into being the infrastructure for an open-school model; coordinate content and logistics for monthly virtual public events to provide information on different aspects and experiences of abolition; develop event websites and marketing and outreach materials.
Secured support from the American Studies Association executive board for project development and implementation (October 2020).
Consultant, Trainer, and Project Manager, Allyship Center & Diversity Research Institute July 2020-Present
Design, manage, and conduct research on diversity best practices in understudied sectors.
Develop and implement focused diversity workshops and trainings for corporate partners based on existing literature and research findings.
Anthropology News, Section Contributing Co-Editor June 2020-December 2022 Association for Political and Legal Anthropology, American Anthropological Association
Write and edit popular articles about current research and events through the lens of political and legal anthropology; recruit new authors; set annual submission timelines and agendas; collaborate with editor-in-chief of Anthropology News.
Serve as member of the board for the Association for Political and Legal Anthropology.
Consultant, Developmental Editing January 2020-Present
Provide guidance on content, form, and structure for academic authors at every phase of the writing process to aid in the development of coherent and accessible texts for academic journals and book publishers.
Organizer, Reclaiming Democracy Teach-In Series September 2018-2021, California State University, Long Beach
Collaborated with faculty, students, and staff in the “Interdisciplinary Public Square” to set priorities and focus for 2018-2020 Teach-In Series; coordinated content and logistics for public events to provide information on Voting Rights, Student Debt, Social Movements, and Environmental Justice in the United States; Developed organization website.
Co-Chair, President’s Commission on the Status of Women September 2018-2022, California State University, Long Beach
Collaborated with board members to developed initiatives that address persistent gender-based inequity on campus; reviewed grant applications for program funding; co-organized annual colloquium 2020; served on publicity sub-committee (2018-2020). Previously served as chair of Publicity sub-committee (2020).
Collaborated with the Women’s Gender and Equity Center (WGEC) to develop, pilot, and implement a five-part Gender Inclusive Language Training program for the wider university community (2020-present).
Collaborated with PCSW members and AAUW partners to create and implement a CA-specific “two minute activist” program to engage students, faculty, and staff in the legislative process (2021).
Organized and reimagined 2021 annual colloquium to be implemented in virtual format.
Served on the Campus Climate subcommittee (2020-present) to contribute to 2021 campus climate report.
Committee Member, Language and Social Justice Task Force October 2015-Present, American Anthropological Association
Contributed to brainstorming sessions and resolution drafts to advance LSJ initiatives on behalf of AAA, such as the passage of legislation funding bilingual education in select American states.
Co-Organizer, Scholar Strike CSULB September 2020, California State University, Long Beach
Collaborated with faculty, students, and staff across colleges and divisions to co-organize and run a two-day series of local panels in solidarity with the nationwide #ScholarStrike movement for racial justice.
Community Violence Prevention Project Homicide Review February 2013-April 2013 , Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Contributed to brainstorming sessions among public policy scholars, social workers, local community members, and law enforcement officers who were trying to better investigate, understand, and prevent local homicides.
Foreign Policy Intern May 2002-July 2002 , African Aid and Security Program, Center for International Policy, Washington, DC
Composed memos and briefed fellows on congressional sub-committee hearings and legislative developments concerning African development aid. Compiled electronic databases of memos, briefs, and reports. Maintained and updated African Program pages on Center for International Policy website.