What drew you to the law?

Growing up in Washington, D.C., I was surrounded by lawyers. But it wasn’t until I began interning on Capitol Hill that going to law school became a real interest. I was very lucky to have some amazing mentors who encouraged me to pursue a legal career and helped develop my career trajectory.

What do you enjoy most about teaching?

I enjoy helping my students develop their oral and written communication and analytical skills. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing my students develop the skills they need to succeed in law school and throughout their legal careers.

What do you hope students gain from your courses?

Confidence. Whether I am teaching a legal writing course or a seminar on sentencing, I want my students to leave the class feeling confident in their ability to recognize, analyze, and communicate a problem and its resolution. Lawyers are paid to communicate; we must be confident in our skill sets in order to do that well.

What did you do prior to entering academia?

Prior to joining Texas A&M School of Law, I was the Director of Legislative and Public Affairs at the United States Sentencing Commission. I also worked on Capitol Hill, for three special public integrity investigations, in private practice, and as law clerk in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia.

What are you passionate about outside of the law?

Military history and running. Prior to deciding to go to law school, I worked with the Marine Corps Historical Center preparing personal papers belonging to Marines for archival preservation; it was fascinating. I am an avid runner and my favorite race to run is the Army Ten Miler in Washington, D.C.

What are your research interests?

My research focuses primarily on criminal justice policy and offender reentry. I am particularly interested in developing policies that aid people who have been incarcerated in succeeding in their reentry efforts. I am also interested in learning theory and how to better aid students in applying their knowledge across multiple disciplines and throughout their careers.