Who am I?

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

I currently work as the Dean for the School of Languages & Literature at Wayland Baptist University, where I TEACH English & 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 also PLAYWRIGHT of more than sixteen published plays. I have been SPEAKING for the last few decades at many different venues (youth groups, addiction recovery, women's, conferences, church services, and more). I even dabbled in stand up COMEDY for a while. You wanna laugh, yeah me too! 

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, and businesses around the United States (including Hawaii, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Texas, California, Ohio, Oklahoma, and more). I have recently published that research in a book entitled, Teaching Squirrels. 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 25 years leading young adult fine arts and DRAMA teams.  I have a MFA in Writing, MA in Humanities: Literature/Playwriting, and a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies & Higher Education. I am a U.S. Army Veteran, a former YA editor, and a cover artist for the Wild Rose Press. And I really love coffee, dark chocolate, and white gravy! (Not together, mind you.)