She received an M.S. in Family Relations and Child Development and a Ph.D. in Human Environmental Sciences from Oklahoma State University. She has been at Kent State University since 1996. Along with two KSU students, she spent a semester in Northern Ireland conducting research on children’s perceptions of peace and political violence. As part of the EHHS Global Learning Study Group, she internationalized two HDFS courses. She has worked with Kent State International Mentors and the OGE Conversation Partner Program to provide intercultural mutual mentoring opportunities for her students. She teaches an annual short-term study abroad course in Ireland and is currently heading up efforts to internationalize the HDFS curriculum.