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

Career counseling, professional development, and employer engagement for graduate engineering students. Specialized expertise in developmental and strengths-based advising frameworks, qualitative research, first-generation student advocacy, and building inclusive departmental cultures that promote psychological safety and student retention.