CURRICULA

As an award-winning program architect and interdisciplinary educator, I have successfully built and led three innovative academic programs across higher education and healthcare. At OSU-Cascades, I founded a nationally ranked, social-justice-infused MFA in Creative Writing, growing enrollment by 34% per term and cultivating one of the most diverse low-residency programs in the country. At New College of Florida, I designed and directed a forward-thinking B.A. program at the intersection of writing, technology, and design, launching hybrid learning initiatives and expanding access to underrepresented voices. Most recently, at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, I led curricular and cultural transformation as an Instructional Designer and Wellness Specialist, embedding narrative medicine and creative practices to improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce burnout, and strengthen physician-patient relationships. Across all roles, I bring a proven ability to envision, implement, and scale interdisciplinary programs that empower learners, strengthen communities, and deliver measurable outcomes.

OSU-Cascades MFA

Founded and led a hybrid MFA program focused on social justice, immersive retreats, and professional mentorship. Increased enrollment 34% per term.

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New College of Florida

Designed a unique B.A. program merging writing, technology, and design. Oversaw a 28% enrollment increase and a transition to blended learning.

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SIU School of Medicine

Created a wellness and storytelling curriculum for 1,000+ stakeholders. Reduced burnout and increased engagement through narrative medicine.

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Art & Activism Festivals

I design and lead transformational educational experiences that merge art, activism, and community engagement. As the founder and director of Rendezvous With Risk, I built a literary and arts festival from the ground up, scaling it from a two-event pilot to a four-day, twenty-event program that featured international authors, alumni, and community leaders. With signature events like Beer & Books at Deschutes Brewery, I created innovative formats to make cutting-edge literature more accessible.

At New College of Florida, I launched Words In Action, an undergraduate arts and activism festival that equipped students with professional storytelling tools—from podcasting to video games—under the mentorship of nationally recognized artists.

Both initiatives demonstrate my ability to translate curricular goals into high-impact, interdisciplinary public programming that fosters creative risk-taking, civic participation, and real-world skill development.

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Rendezvous With Risk

What | Literary & arts festival focused on activism and community engagement
Audience | International authors, students, alumni, local community
Problem | Need for programming that bridges campus and community

Project management was at the heart of the festival’s success. I secured multi-source funding through grants, sponsorships, and in-kind partnerships; coordinated travel and hospitality for a diverse slate of international authors; recruited and trained volunteers; and developed integrated marketing campaigns to drive attendance and community engagement. I approached fundraising as both strategy and storytelling—crafting compelling narratives that aligned the festival’s mission with the goals of arts organizations, donors, and local businesses. Signature events like Beer & Books at Deschutes Brewery combined literary excellence with playful accessibility, helping attract new audiences and deepen stakeholder investment.

Accomplishment | Designed an intergenerational festival that increased literary access and community-campus connection through creative innovation.

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Words In Action

What | Arts & Activism Festival
Audience | Undergrad & grad students + local community
Problem | Need for stronger campus-community connection

I designed Words In Action as a platform for students to develop and apply real-world skills at the intersection of art, activism, and public engagement. Each festival empowered students to take ownership of the work: collaborating with nationally recognized artists, producing public-facing projects like podcasts, games, performances, and short films, and presenting them in a high-impact community showcase. In the third annual festival, themed Eco-Art & Digital Storytelling, students explored environmental issues through digital media, then co-taught workshops with faculty in the following semester—deepening their expertise while mentoring peers.

Accomplishment | This conference was an important opportunity for apprentice artists to learn how to make art about the issues that matter to them, and build up their belief in creating art that has an impact.

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