Please explain your background (briefly) and why you are excited about this position?

I have always had a personal passion for health and wellness since I was a child. I knew from a young age that I would be working in the helping profession, but never thought it would be specifically in public health. Now with over ten years of extensive experience in the field related to teaching and advocacy from different universities traditionally and online, there is no doubt that I found my niche!

I am grateful for my career in college health as it has allowed me the opportunity to serve as the Interim Director for the Center for Health Advocacy and Wellness (CHAW) at Florida State University. Prior to accepting the Interim Director role, I was the Assistant Director for CHAW; in which my main responsibilities included overseeing campus-wide initiatives encompassing alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs education/prevention and wellness initiatives. Prior to FSU, I worked at the University of Florida as a Health Promotion Specialist in GatorWell Health Promotion Services. I had the opportunity to work as a generalist on numerous topics including alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, sexual health, stress/time management, sleep hygiene, eating disorders/body image, healthy relationships, tobacco cessation, and wellness coaching in the living and learning communities on campus.

I have also had the opportunity to serve and chair numerous committees locally and nationally related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, wellness, diversity and inclusion, health equity, and social justice.

I am excited about this position because of my love for health and wellness. I believe that Georgia Tech has a commitment to not only students but also employees to ensure they have the awareness and resources to thrive in every area of their life. In addition, I think with my background in public health I have the opportunity to utilize my skills which include but are not limited to planning, implementing and evaluating best practices in health and wellness by using evidence-based research to attain a comprehensive and holistic approach for success and well-being.

How do you envision Health Initiatives evolving in the future under your new leadership?

I envision Health Initiatives evolving in the future under my leadership by building on the current foundation to promote prevention strategies.  I am excited to be leading the development and implementation of well-being initiatives and programs aligned with evidence-based research and innovative approaches to Health and Well-Being. My goal is to make sure students and employees understand and value our mission of cultivating a thriving environment that enhances lifelong well-being for those who live, learn, and work at Georgia Tech.  In addition, I look forward to building strong relationships and partnerships internally and externally to ensure students and employees are pushing our vision forward collectively to have a positive and lifelong impact on the Georgia Tech community.

What originally interested you in pursuing this position?

To be honest, I was hesitant in pursuing this position at first because I truly loved my job at FSU. My department and campus stakeholders that I had the opportunity to work with each and every day made it extremely challenging to leave. After some deep deliberation, I realized this position was a great combination of my passion and love for health and wellness and did not want to miss a great opportunity to work for a reputable school that is committed to health and well-being.

In addition, I was excited for the ability to expand my professional portfolio by working with not only students but also employee wellness which I think is a population that is often easily forgotten in higher education. I understand the importance of employee wellness as it should be prioritized since they often are on the front line and play a valuable role in students’ success and wellbeing. Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not say the opportunity for me to live closer to my family in North Carolina was a huge perk for me and caused me to be interested in pursuing the position as well!

What does working in public health mean to you?

Working in public health means that I have the ability to empower individuals and communities where they live, learn, work and play. I personally love that I have the opportunity to engage with many different topics with diverse populations/communities to promote and prevent illness or injury by encouraging healthy behaviors. The ability to empower individuals and communities on the importance of healthy decisions and strategies to utilize to achieve optimal health and wellness makes working in public health memorable and a way that I am able to combine my passion and love into one profession.

What health & well-being habits do you incorporate into your professional and personal life that you would encourage GT students to utilize?

The top health and well-being habits that I incorporate into my profession and personal life that I would encourage GT students to utilize are below.

Start each day with self-reflection. Awaken with gratitude. Every single day needs to start with a positive self-reflection of some kind. Despite life’s challenges, focus on the positive and learn how your habits will support or discourage your own health and well-being.

Stress less. I have learned that stress management starts with identifying the sources of it and accepting responsibility for the role you play in creating or maintaining it. Therefore be intentional on removing what is in your control and focus your time and energy on the solution instead of the problem. 

Power off. I have learned the importance of being present and minimizing the distractions in my life. As a society, I think we rarely take the time to reflect, but doing so and owning up to how it makes you feel and what, if anything, it's doing for you, can be rejuvenating and self-liberating.

Practice self-compassion. Be gentle and forgiving of yourself and others. Embrace the lessons you learn and allow it to make you better, not bitter.

What are you most excited about in your move to Atlanta and Georgia Tech?

I would say I am most excited to be closer to my family in North Carolina! I lived in Florida for eight years and grateful for the opportunity to work at two remarkable universities and to have met some amazing people that have now turned into family.

In addition, I am excited to finally live in a city that I can live, work and play! I appreciate that Atlanta is truly diverse and provides opportunities to engage in art, culture, entertainment and so much more! I also think Georgia Tech has a great reputation, therefore to be a part of such an innovative school that is diverse and provides opportunities to learn and grow is exciting for me.  

Who inspires you and why?

Michelle Obama inspires me. I feel she is a great example to follow and exudes qualities that are important to me which includes integrity, hard work, persistence, and determination! In addition, I can personally relate to many of the struggles she faced; yet she never wavered on her beliefs, which has taught me the importance of never giving up despite the obstacles I might face and to continue to advocate for change to pave the way for the next generation.

What are you most passionate about outside of your profession?

Outside of my profession, I am most passionate about my family. I am extremely family oriented and without their unconditional love, support and encouragement, I am confident that I would not be the woman I am today.

What words of wisdom do you try to live by?

"Success isn't about how much money you make. It's about the difference you make in people's lives."

Michelle Obama