- I currently live in the East Greenbush area with my husband, Joe, and two kids, Gunnar (16) and Adella (13). And, of course, our best furry friend, Yeti VonFluffenstien III. He’s a 3-year-old pomsky (pomeranian husky mix - it’s a thing! Google it!). He even has his own Insta! You can check him out @yetivonfluffensteiniii. We like to say, “It’s his world; we’re just living in it.”
- I’m one of those odd people who really enjoys winter (sorry warm weather lovers!). I grew up in a small town in New Hampshire and skiing was a way of life. I started downhill ski racing at the age of seven and raced through high school. In elementary school, we had a ski program where everyone learned either downhill or Nordic. We all had Wednesday afternoons off in the winter and got to take lessons to learn to ski. And it was free. It’s still around today, too! So skiing is really second nature to me. I got the chance to go ski at Breckenridge this year and it was AMAZING! I’m thinking I need to hit up the Alps soon…
- Given my work, clearly travel is my biggest hobby. I took my first international trip at the age of three to Toronto, Canada. I remember nothing about this trip. BUT, I then went to Scotland with my family and my grandparents (both Scottish) when I was eight years old. I’ve been traveling ever since!
- Travel planning has also become a fun hobby for me. If I plan a trip for you, it means you’re special. I also enjoy helping others learn how to plan trips, as it can be very overwhelming for many. I began teaching a travel planning course at HVCC last year, and it’s now offered three times a year.
- I attended St. Lawrence University in upstate New York, where I received my B.A. in geology. I started as a psychology major, and it just didn’t click for me. My best friend was studying geology and told me I should give it a try, since I love the outdoors so much. Sophomore year I changed majors and never looked back. Fun fact: I was a Saint at SLU, and now am a Saint again here at Siena!
- I studied abroad for the fall semester of my sophomore year in high school. It was on a whim. I had seen an advertisement at my school for a company that facilitates global exchanges for high schoolers. So I said, “why not?!” I filled out a postcard for more info (back when those existed…) and received their catalog and application in the mail. Why Finland, you ask? (or not, but I’ll tell you anyway!) I wanted to go somewhere no one I’d known had been before. And, I wanted to go somewhere with a good winter (see #2). Plus, it was one of the few places that didn’t have a language requirement (I studied Latin in high school… so, yeah). I spent five months living with a family in Oulu, Finland and learned all about Finnish life and culture. Fun fact: the Finns believe Santa Claus comes from Finland and they call him Joulupukki (Yo-loo-poo-key) - The Christmas Goat!
- I loved studying in Finland so much that when I got to college, I knew I had to do it again. This time, my sights were aimed on Australia. Why you ask? (or not, but I’ll tell you anyway… again!) It was one of the furthest places from the U.S. I could think of. Plus, I grew up watching 80s cartoons and loved Taz. So, spring semester junior year, off I went and spent five months living in Melbourne, Australia, attending Monash Uni. I got to scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef, visit Tasmania (and see a Tasmanian devil!), drive the Great Ocean Road, sleep under the stars in the Outback, and backpack through New Zealand for two weeks.
- Some may say I like school a bit too much. I have gone back twice for higher degrees. I received my MBA from UConn when I was 35 - I graduated when I was seven months pregnant with my daughter. I then decided I wanted to get my doctorate, so in 2019, I embarked on a journey that led me to 2023, when I defended my dissertation and earned my Ed.D. in higher education administration from Northeastern. My husband also has three master's degrees (just because he likes school, too). We are both first generation college students, too!
- I’ve worked some interesting jobs in my life. Earth science teacher, dorm parent, tour leader for a luxury travel company, waitress, bartender, retail worker, rock climbing instructor, and earth science image curator. It’s been a fun ride, but higher education is definitely my passion!
- I have a slight obsession/fascination with serial killers. I feel like many people have this fascination, and they are just afraid to admit it. Give me a documentary on a serial killer, and I’ll binge watch it. I even wrote a paper on Charles Manson for my senior year of high school. My history teacher was not thrilled and called my parents to complain about my chosen topic. I flock to any serial killer documentary or series. If you read this far and are feeling scared, don’t worry. I promise I’m perfectly safe!
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