- I married my college sweetheart Cliff in 1995. We met in the ‘80s when we were both living off-campus in a house that looked like it was ready to fall apart – somehow it was still standing 35 years later when we went back for a recent reunion! Over the past 30+ years together, we have lived in Washington, DC, Falls Church, VA, Minneapolis, MN, and Niskayuna, NY.
- We have three children – Noah, Ethan, and Gracie – and have loved expanding our family to welcome our son’s girlfriend Destiny to the chaos and fun. Spending time together – whether fixing a meal, celebrating a birthday, or just relaxing – is my favorite pastime. Noah and Destiny work in NYS and federal politics, Ethan is training to become an electrician, and Gracie is is planning to become a high school teacher.
- I am the youngest of three and grew up in a close-knit family in the suburbs of NYC. My parents always believed that their daughter could do anything that their sons could – well, except attend a midnight viewing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show in Manhattan when I was 15 (it’s good I don’t hold grudges). As the “baby” and the only girl, I never realized how important that support was until I had my own children.
- After college, I moved to Washington, DC. I lived with two college friends and how lucky am I to have these awesome women and many other college and DC-time friends still in my life! In DC, I took a job at Georgetown University which led to my career. My first positions were in the financial aid office and later I moved over to academic affairs. Fortunately for me, I was able to return to higher education after spending time at home with the kids and working part-time. I joined Siena’s SoLA Dean’s Office in 2011 and later ACE in 2015. I love working at Siena and have found my niche connecting students, faculty, and administrators with nonprofit organizations and community members through ACE!
- I am an enthusiastic runner and try to get out for a few miles at least three or four times a week. It’s excellent therapy. I have run a number of half marathons (including one with my friend and Siena Colleague, Alicia Pepe). My current goal is to run in all 50 states (and Washington, DC). I currently have 25 completed and am hoping to add Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana next fall.
- I had brain surgery in 2017 to correct a painful, uncommon condition called trigeminal neuralgia. Thank goodness for the good people at the department of neurosurgery at Massachusetts General Hospital! Today I am pain-free.
- When I was in 8th grade, a commercial for Mounds/Almond Joy was filmed at my school and students were invited to participate in the final scene. My line was “...sometimes you don’t” and the “pay” was a full-size Mounds bar – which I thought was pretty awesome at the time. You can see the full commercial on YouTube by searching: Sometimes You Feel Like A Nut... School Edition.
- I am working on my doctorate through Northeastern University. I just finished my last class in December 2023 and while I have much work still to complete, it finally feels like I will get to the finish line. I have been so fortunate that my family and friends have supported me throughout – including a number of Siena friends who are in the same program.
- I am a dog lover! We have two very poorly behaved adopted dogs. They are a lot of fun and a lot of work. I would adopt a third but my husband and kids would lock me and the dogs out of the house!
- I love to travel. When I was a teenager, I had the chance to trek cross country and camp at many National and State parks in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and California. Later in college, I studied abroad in Strasbourg, France and after the semester ended, I traveled for three months. When I was a senior in college, I visited my then boyfriend/now husband who was teaching English in Madrid. On that trip we ventured to Tangier, Morocco. I am hopeful that more travel adventures are in my future.
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