About Me

I bring my life experiences, education and training to my work as a coach.  

Coach. 

I studied Life and Career Coaching at Rider University.  Long before this more formal training, I advised and mentored undergraduate and graduate students, doctoral candidates, new professionals, and anyone needing a supportive friend, accountability partner, or a bit of tough love. Most recently, my coaching clients have been:

• College students
• Young professionals entering the workforce
• "Sandwich generation" women 
• Graduate students completing a doctorate
• Professionals considering a career change and/or creating an enjoyable side hustle
• Adults adjusting to retirement
• Parents of neurodiverse children to prepare them for college and independent living

Educator. 

Nearly 20 years of work in higher education has provided me experience in Student Affairs, Undergraduate Education and Academic Affairs. I am strategic-thinking, skilled at building faculty connections and collaborations, developing student leaders, and advising and mentoring students and new professionals. I have experience with grant-writing, project management, and building educational initiatives that promote student retention. I have taught courses in women's leadership and transition skills for transfer students. I am dedicated to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice and ensuring that education is accessible, equitable, forward-thinking and progressive.

I have a B.A. in Women's Studies and American Studies, an Ed.M. in Adult and Continuing Education, and an Ed.D. in Sociological and Philosophical Foundations of Education, all from Rutgers University.  My dissertation focused on the lived experiences of doctoral student mothers as they managed and balanced the responsibilities of school, work, and motherhood. The strategies used to try to achieve a reasonable balance, the conflicts experienced when managing different roles, motivation to persist, and contribution to educational practice and policy were examined. 

Mom.

I'm a mom to three teens, first a boy and then boy-girl twins, yet remember the days of three under three.  I am a mom who has sat through numerous meetings advocating for IEPs and 504s.  I am a mom who traverses the state for travel soccer games, track meets, and band competitions, checks chores, doles out allowances, and will move her oldest to college in a few short months. I often stay up too late after everyone has gone to bed to watch TV and have a few minutes to be by herself, read past my bedtime, and really needs a night of laughs with mom friends. I read once that moms of teenagers should have a dog so someone is always happy to see them - I am also the mom of a two cockapoos named Hershey and Graham and a yorkie named Bella.

I live in NJ and love the Jersey shore, particularly Cape May. In my free time I make time for myself to read, walk, practice yoga, support local businesses, and be active in my local community and graduate school alumni association.