Returning to the University of Saint Mary has been a deeply meaningful and nostalgic experience for me. What once was the place where I attended college, played soccer, built friendships, and began discovering my passion for psychology has now become a place where I have the privilege of serving students and supporting their mental health. Being back at USM feels like coming full circle.

I attended the University of Saint Mary from 2000–2003, where I played soccer and earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and later my Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. One of my favorite memories from my time as a student-athlete was being part of the team that won the conference championship in 2001. Soccer taught me many lessons that have continued to influence me throughout my life—teamwork, perseverance, discipline, resilience, and the importance of encouraging those around you.

Today, I have the privilege of serving as the Director of Campus Counseling at the University of Saint Mary. I also work as a trauma and anxiety specialist at Northwork Counseling in Lenexa, Kansas. I currently hold my Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential in the state of Kansas and am under clinical supervision as I work toward obtaining my Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) credential.

My educational journey continued beyond USM as I earned my Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Community Care and Counseling, with an emphasis in Traumatology, from Liberty University. My work in counseling has allowed me to combine my passion for mental health with my desire to walk alongside people during some of the most difficult seasons of their lives. One of the most rewarding aspects of being a counselor is witnessing the growth that takes place throughout the therapeutic process. Seeing clients discover hope, develop healthy coping skills, work through trauma, and recognize their own strengths is incredibly fulfilling.

My professional work is also closely connected to my faith and my desire to serve others. My husband, Matt, and I pastor Faith Alive Fellowship in Kansas City, Kansas. We also volunteer at Lansing Correctional Facility, where I have the opportunity to sing worship and provide mental health services to inmates. We oversee multiple church plants in Lansing Correctional Facility, Lenexa, and Kansas City, Kansas. These experiences have reinforced my belief that every person has value, deserves compassion, and can experience growth and restoration.

Family is another very important part of my life. Matt and I have nine children—four adult children and five who are still at home—and I am also a proud Gigi to six grandchildren. Our family keeps life busy, active, and full of adventure! I especially enjoy watching my children participate in sports, traveling with my family, and simply spending quality time together.

My love for soccer has continued long after my college playing days. I currently coach my 11-year-old son's and 10-year-old daughter's soccer team for Toca Fusion. Coaching allows me to continue sharing some of the lessons I learned as a student-athlete while encouraging the next generation of young people to grow both on and off the field.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, listening to podcasts, traveling, and watching my children play sports. However, some of my favorite moments are simply those spent with my family.

Coming back to the University of Saint Mary as an employee has been incredibly special. There is something nostalgic about walking the same campus where I once attended classes and played soccer, but there is also something deeply rewarding about experiencing USM from a completely different perspective. Now, I have the opportunity to pour into others.

I am especially grateful for the opportunity to work with USM students and to help them navigate the challenges that can come with college life. College can be an exciting time of growth and discovery, but it can also bring stress, anxiety, uncertainty, and personal challenges. Being able to provide a safe place for students to talk, process, heal, and grow is a privilege that I do not take for granted.

My journey from USM student-athlete to alumna, counselor, doctoral graduate, wife, mother, Gigi, coach, pastor, and now Director of Campus Counseling has taken me places I never could have imagined when I first stepped onto the USM campus. Returning to the University of Saint Mary has reminded me that sometimes our journeys come full circle in ways we never expect. I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to a university that was an important part of my own journey and to invest in the lives of the students who are now creating their own stories.