What is your background?: I am married with three wild kids, ages eight, six, and two years old! My family and I currently live in Clarence, Iowa, but I’m originally from Ottumwa, where I graduated from Ottumwa High School in 2014.
What brought you to Kirkwood and why?: We bought a home in 2024 when I was three weeks from my due date with our third child. I worked as a direct support professional about an hour away from home and was always working odd hours. Sometimes I would work 24-hour shifts just to keep up with the cost of living. I had a thought about going back to school and earning a degree in those last three weeks, and continued thinking about it throughout maternity leave. I had a lot of time on my hands staying home with a newborn, so I started shopping around for colleges and programs I was interested in. When I came across the program I am currently studying, I had a gut feeling about it but ignored it because really: Who I am to try to go back to school, honestly? Months after contemplating it every day I decided to take a shot. It’s been one of the best choices I’ve made for myself and my family.
What is your program of study and what interests you about it?: My program of study is Cyber Security and Compliance. When I was a child, I used to geek out over computers and game systems. I was so curious about how technology worked I would take them apart and put them back together all the time. I’m also super curious and love to learn new things, with how fast technology is changing and growing it gives me something to hyper focus on.
Are you involved in anything on campus?: Unfortunately no. As much as I would love to become involved in something, my kids take up 98 percent of my time.
Are you involved in anything off campus?: Yes! I am working as an access security analyst at Unity Point Health, otherwise I am just a mom.
What do you do for fun?: I love hiking, fishing, fish keeping, and binge watching TV.
Where do you see yourself in five years?: Honestly, I don’t know. Five years is a long time and so much can happen during that timespan. Hopefully I’m succeeding in my career, growing financially, and giving my family a life they deserve and can be proud of.