After years as a professional writer, the last seven of which were in the software development industry, I returned to college to complete my bachelor’s degree. Like many of the students that I currently teach at Metropolitan State, I just wanted “the piece of paper” to prove that I was already educated. But, a funny thing happened on the way to my bachelor’s degree—I rediscovered my love of education through student-centered teaching. So, after a career as a writer that included public information and contract technical writing at companies such as IBM, Schlumberger, and Microsoft, I decided to pursue a new career as a scholar and teacher. Between 1990 and 2000, I completed a BA in General Studies from Concordia Lutheran College (1992), a self-designed MA in Women’s Literature from the University of Illinois at Springfield (1996), and an individualized Ph.D. in Women’s Studies/Women in Computing from Union Institute & University (2000). While completing my doctorate, I began my teaching career as a full-time lecturer at the University of Washington, Bothell. From 1996 to 2000, I taught technical writing, women in computing, and ethics in computing in the then new Computing and Software Systems program. | The personal and intellectual development that I experienced while completing individualized graduate degrees inspired my desire to work with students who were also navigating this unique journey. Since August 2000, I’ve been teaching in an Individualized B.A. program where I have the daily privilege of working with intelligent, engaged and self-directed adult students to explore ideas and expand perspectives. My courageous students daily teach me what I most wish for them—to see through new eyes. My scholarship is interdisciplinary and I have written on a variety of topics including women’s heroic journey, feminist science studies, leadership and teaching. I have presented panels and papers on women in science and technology at multiple conferences such as the National Women’s Studies Association annual conference and the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, as well as publishing in journals such as the NWSA Journal, NWSAction, Feminist Teacher, the Journal of Homosexuality and the Journal of Computing in Small Colleges. While completing my first book, Gender and Information Technology: Moving Beyond Access to Co-Create Global Partnership (Information Science Reference, 2009), I rediscovered my love of writing. I'm currently working on several new writing projects. -----May 2013 |
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