Bio
My background in rhetoric, communication, and popular culture has shaped the way I think about organizations, business, political campaigns, and culture values. As a communication scholar and educator, I study how stories, media, and cultural artifacts influence the way we understand ourselves and the world around us.
I am an Associate Director at the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics and Assistant Teaching Professor in Women’s and Gender Studies at Iowa State University. At the Catt Center, I coordinate Ready to Run® Iowa campaign training workshops, oversee the Archives of Women’s Political Communication, supervise undergraduate researchers and voting champions, and host the Professional Excellence Program for faculty and staff at ISU. My teaching portfolio includes Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies, Feminist Research Methods, Women & Politics, Professional Communication Persuasive Writing, Business Communication, and Technical Writing.
I earned my Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Professional Communication from Iowa State University, receiving the Karas Research Excellence Award for my dissertation, “Whisper Networks: Sexual Harassment Protection Through Informal Networks.” My publications and book chapters explore the intersection of gender and communication in organizational, educational, and community contexts. I hold a master’s degree in American Studies and a bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations from Utah State University. Before returning to graduate school, I also work in public relations, volunteer engagement, content editing, and education positions, and served as a communications consultant for small businesses and local politicians in my community.