She came to Washburn in 2003 after receiving her doctoral degree in Mass Communication and Media Arts from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Maria has been the recipient of grants and awards from the American Press Institute, the National Association of Television Program Executives and the Kansas Association of Broadcasters. She has also been previously involved in USAID projects on the empowerment of women. At Washburn, she has served on the College Faculty Council, the Faculty Senate, the Master of Liberal Arts committee and most recently as chair of the Creative and Performing Arts division. For the past six years, she has been the chair of the Board of Student Media and adviser for the honorary chapter of the Society for Collegiate Journalists.