She received her Ph.D. in Spanish applied linguistics with a Designated Emphasis in Second Language Acquisition from the University of California, Davis. Her areas of specialization include oral and computer-mediated interaction, task-based language learning, and community-based learning. Prior to joining the faculty at SCU, she was an Associate Professor of Spanish, Graduate TA trainer and supervisor, and chair of the Dept. of World Languages at Cal State San Marcos. She has published several articles and book chapters in her areas of specialization, and she has authored and coauthored several textbooks for the teaching of Spanish at the university level, including Palabra abierta, an advanced composition text, and Rumbos, a textbook for intermediate Spanish.