Bio

I am passionate about helping students navigate complex educational pathways and build meaningful futures. Throughout my career, I have supported high school, undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students in achieving academic success, career development, and personal growth through advising, teaching, mentoring, and student development initiatives.

Currently, I serve as the Graduate Career Counselor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) at North Carolina State University, where I support master’s and doctoral students through career exploration, professional development, employer engagement, and individualized advising. Within MAE, I serve on the Community & Engagement Committee, helping advance initiatives that foster an inclusive, supportive departmental culture. Across the broader institution, I also serve on the College of Engineering’s First-Generation Advisory Committee, collaborating on strategic initiatives that strengthen support and belonging for first-generation engineering students. Across my previous advising and instruction roles, I have dedicated my work to guiding students through academic planning, college readiness, degree progression, and intentional educational decision-making.

My approach to student support is grounded in developmental, strengths-based, and student-centered principles. Informed by Social Cognitive Career Theory, Career Construction Theory, and Planned Happenstance, alongside NACADA’s philosophy of advising as teaching and learning, I view career counseling as an empowering, narrative-driven process. I help students unpack their unique lived experiences, build self-efficacy, and cultivate the curiosity and adaptability needed to navigate non-linear career pathways. I strive to create environments that balance accountability with encouragement while equipping students to become self-directed decision-makers and confident advocates for their own success.

In addition to my professional work, I am pursuing a Ph.D. in Counseling and Counselor Education at NC State University. My research focuses on student belonging, psychological safety, and the experiences of first-generation undergraduate and graduate students. I am currently conducting an IRB-approved study examining psychological safety among first-generation graduate students and the role faculty advisors play in fostering supportive educational environments.

My professional interests center on advancing student success through career & professional development, academic advising, and evidence-informed practices. I am particularly interested in first-generation student experiences, student belonging, community engagement, and program assessment.

Area(s) of Expertise

Comprehensive career counseling, academic advising, professional development, and employer engagement for graduate engineering students. Specialized expertise in developmental career theories, strengths-based student support, qualitative research methodologies, first-generation student advocacy and persistence, and fostering inclusive departmental cultures that promote psychological safety and student retention.