Degrees earned: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from WKU; Masters of Arts in Criminology from WKU

Teaching Interests: My teaching interests are mostly centered on where and why crime occurs. There are so many data sources that provide us with useful information on where data occurs; however the research is limited on why. There are multitudes of theories on why crime occurs and I find each one more interesting than the last; but there is much more work to be done in that area! I also have an interest in victims of criminal activity including ways to best avoid becoming a victim.

Life Interests: I have two kids, who are my most precious gifts and blessings in life, who also take up most of my time! I also enjoy running/exercising, camping, and reading.

Why did you choose your career? I often say that my career found me! I always enjoyed law and criminal justice but actually started college thinking that I wanted to be a pharmacist, then a meteorologist, and finally I found the law! I met my husband through taking law classes at WKU and because he was (and still is) a police officer I was thrown into a different side of the legal world that I had ever experienced before. I was working at a law firm during the semester before I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree and a position to teach in the Paralegal and Criminal Justice department at then Draughon’s Junior College (Daymar College now) came available and I took a leap of faith and applied. A few weeks later I started teaching others about the law and criminal justice system that I was so fascinated with!  I taught for 7 years at Daymar (while completing my Master’s degree in Criminology from WKU)before returning to WKU to work in the General Counsel’s office at WKU as a paralegal. Having the opportunity to teach in the Criminology and Sociology department at WKU is literally my dream come true!

Who is your academic superhero (i.e. a fellow academic who inspires you), or general professional inspiration? Every police officer who puts on a bullet-proof vest and goes to work each day to protect others’ lives are my professional hero’s.

What word or phrase do you most overuse while teaching? Probably “um”, unfortunately for my students!  Sorry guys!

Favorite Quote? “Some people complain because God put thorns on roses, while others praise Him for putting roses among thorns.” –Unknown author

What do you do for fun? I love to go camping with my family; exercise; and I will read anything with humor and criminal activity.

How would you describe the relevance of your field in today’s society? Criminal Justice affects every one of us every single day, whether we realize it or not.  Why do you put a seatbelt on when you drive in your car? Why do you drive on the right side of the road and not the left? Why do you lock your car doors when you go to a restaurant? Why do you pay your bill before you leave the restaurant? So much of our lives are intertwined with the criminal and social effects of our societies that it becomes a part of who we are. Right now our society is at a very turbulent and stressful time. Those of us who believe in the criminal justice and legal fields have to be the ones to help our society see the good parts of the criminal justice system and how it helps us, and how the bad parts need to be addressed. I try to do that in every single class I teach. Our society needs the criminal justice system to function (much like it needs farmers, and healthcare, and water treatment plants) and advocates/educators in the field must be the ones to make the American public see that need; now more than ever.