Who am I?

I grew up in Southern California, but now reside in West Texas with my husband. 

I am a Professor of Humanities & Leadership at Wayland Baptist University, where I TEACH Leadership, Humanities, & Writing.   I am an AUTHOR, mostly specializing in Young Adult fiction and on Gen Z. I have also published non-fiction, poetry, short stories, Christian thrillers, and the occasional inspirational romance. I am a PLAYWRIGHT of more than sixteen published plays. I have been SPEAKING for the last few decades at many different venues (military bases, professional developments, addiction recovery centers, women's, conferences, church services, and more). I even dabbled in stand up COMEDY for a while. You wanna laugh, yeah me too! 

I have a PhD in LEADERSHIP Studies from Johnson University. I recently chaired a committee to create a Doctor of Strategic Leadership degree at Wayland Baptist University, and I now teach in the program. One of my favorite hobbies is traveling to share good leadership practices with leaders throughout the U.S. I have taught military leaders, at the Lion's Club and Chamber of Commerce, as well as several  professional developments in heath care, business, and education.

Since 2014, I have been researching GENERATION Z (those born between 1995-2010). I have had the honor of sharing my research at various conferences, schools, churches, military leaders, and businesses around the United States (including but not limited to Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, Phoenix, Texas, California, Ohio, and Oklahoma). I have  published my research in a book entitled, Teaching Squirrels: How to Reach Gen Z and Create Lasting Engagement. If you want to know how to engage your young people, I just might be able to help.

A few more tidbits about me:  I've spent three decades leading fine arts and DRAMA teams.  I am the co-owner of Plainview LimeLite Arts & Entertainment Venue LLC. In addition to my PhD, I  have a MFA in Writing, MA in Humanities, a certificate with Berean School of the Bible, and a BA in Human Development. I am a U.S. Army Veteran, and a former YA editor and cover artist for the Wild Rose Press.  And most important, I really love coffee, dark chocolate, white gravy (Not together, mind you.), sea turtles and cats. If I'm not speaking, teaching, directing, or writing, I'm watching TV and painting.