Education
University of Michigan
2004-2005
The University of Michigan - Ann Arbor offers a unique program called the MAC program. Designed primarily for students coming back to teaching as a second career, students can earn a MA in Education and Certification in one year. I continue to support the MAC program by mentoring student-teachers from the program each year.
The University of Michigan - Ann Arbor offers a unique program called the MAC program. Designed primarily for students coming back to teaching as a second career, students can earn a MA in Education and Certification in one year. I continue to support the MAC program by mentoring student-teachers from the program each year.
Michigan State University
2001-2004
While at Michigan State University I studied mate choice in two closely related species of swallowtail butterflies, Papilio glaucus and Papilio canadensis in a hybrid zone near Mt Pleasant, MI. I finished my graduate coursework in Entomology with an emphasis on Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior but was really struggling to find motivation to write. I was also teaching Biology and Entomology labs and found myself putting more energy into that than I was toward my project. During this experience, I realized what I enjoyed most about my time in grad school was teaching. I wrapped up my work at Michigan State to pursue a teaching degree at University of Michigan.
While at Michigan State University I studied mate choice in two closely related species of swallowtail butterflies, Papilio glaucus and Papilio canadensis in a hybrid zone near Mt Pleasant, MI. I finished my graduate coursework in Entomology with an emphasis on Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior but was really struggling to find motivation to write. I was also teaching Biology and Entomology labs and found myself putting more energy into that than I was toward my project. During this experience, I realized what I enjoyed most about my time in grad school was teaching. I wrapped up my work at Michigan State to pursue a teaching degree at University of Michigan.
Grand Valley State University
1994-2000
My original focus as an undergrad was Cell and Molecular Biology and I intended to pursue a graduate degree in molecular biology. However, after taking a few field biology classes, I decided my true interest was in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. I stayed at GVSU a few "extra semesters" while deciding exactly what I'd like to study in grad school. During this time I had the chance to work with a really great professor and helped out with a study that looked at the distribution of the Great Plains Spittlebug, Lepyronia gibbosa. We were trying to determine if this species could be used as a bioindicator for relic prairie ecosystems. I was offered a Plant Science Fellowship at Michigan State University and finally left GVSU with a BS degree, majoring in Biology and Chemistry.
My original focus as an undergrad was Cell and Molecular Biology and I intended to pursue a graduate degree in molecular biology. However, after taking a few field biology classes, I decided my true interest was in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. I stayed at GVSU a few "extra semesters" while deciding exactly what I'd like to study in grad school. During this time I had the chance to work with a really great professor and helped out with a study that looked at the distribution of the Great Plains Spittlebug, Lepyronia gibbosa. We were trying to determine if this species could be used as a bioindicator for relic prairie ecosystems. I was offered a Plant Science Fellowship at Michigan State University and finally left GVSU with a BS degree, majoring in Biology and Chemistry.