A Message from the Director

As we begin a new academic year, I would like to take a moment to introduce myself and welcome everyone to Auburn University’s Honors College.  As many of you know, over the summer I was honored to be selected as the Interim Director of the Honors College and continue the wonderful work initiated by my predecessor Dr. Tiffany Sippial.

Originally hailing from Michigan, my academic journey began at Hope College, where I majored in Biology and Geology. It was at Hope College, a small liberal arts school, where I found my passion for teaching and research, in large part due to a devoted faculty that readily encouraged and engaged us.

After college I pursued a Master’s of Science in wildlife ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, followed by a PhD in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior as well as Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University. Following graduate school, I received a National Science Foundation post-doctoral fellowship and returned to the University of Wisconsin-Madison in forest ecology and management. After completing this fellowship, I was hired as a visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, before becoming an Assistant Professor at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

In 2014, I moved to Auburn and continue to engage in research around the world with a focus on conserving nature. I continue to teach and conduct ecological research to support science-based management of biodiversity and our ecosystems within the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment.

In the years since joining Auburn, I have watched the university become an R1 institution, weather the pandemic, and significantly improve many of its programs. In the case of the Honors College, it has become one of the university’s crown jewels, with a talented and burgeoning student body, a wonderful and skilled support staff, and faculty who have created many unique classes.

As Interim Director, my goal is to ensure that the Honors College remains a crown jewel and continues providing an excellent program to students. We have an exciting year planned, with numerous opportunities for students, family members, alumni, and the broader community. From the Week of Service to Fall Family Weekend to our Cup at Cater, there is an opportunity for everyone. I look forward to meeting many of you this year and hearing your thoughts on the college.

War Eagle,