I received my doctorate in Educational Psychology with a focus on Human Development and Learning at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) in 2013. I am a faculty member at The University of Washington Tacoma. I teach courses in introductory psychology and human development. My research interests include the life-span presence, development, and benefits of imaginative play as a cultural, community-informed activity and the role of improvisational theater activities in formal learning environments, in teacher education and in community organizations.

In addition to my academic career, I have worked as an adult educator and teacher educator of English as a Second Language for more than 20 years and have served as a program coordinator with youth development programs and community/family literacy programs in New York and Illinois.

I enjoy learning with others and helping them develop and look forward to hearing from you.