Position at WSC: Accessibility and Retention Specialist
Time in Position: 10 days 

Hometown: Trenton, ND
Favorite Restaurant or Business in Williston: Qdoba
Favorite book: The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963
Favorite music: Anything I can sing to
Favorite TV show: The Office
Go-to Karaoke song: We Shall Be Free by Garth Brooks 

Education: Trenton High School, 2001
Minnesota State University Moorhead, B.S. in Elementary Education, 2006
Harvard Graduate School of Education, EdM in Education Management and Policy, 2017 

q. What drew you to Williston and the college?
a. I wanted to be close to all of the family that I have in the area. The college has a lot of great employees and I wanted to be able to work with great people.

q. Where did you work before your current position?
a. I taught fifth and sixth grade in Houston, Texas in the inner-city and then moved to Denver, Colorado, where I worked in oil and gas as an associate land man before taking a job teaching fourth grade. After that, I was a private tutor for a family in Moscow, Russia.

q. Why accessibility and retention? What drew you to education?
a. I enjoy working with students in both the social and academic spheres, as well as collaborating with other staff and faculty. I also really like being able to spend time on the other side of the desk, getting outside the office, and not just sitting down all day.

q. Could you tell me about a time you were able to help a student with something?
a. I don't think there's any single specific moment that stands out, but helping students match academics and their own interests has always been rewarding. I really enjoy helping students learn for the sake of knowledge and understanding, not just so that they can pass a test. Showing students that learning takes a variety of forms and happens outside of the classroom has always been a goal of mine.

q. What are your future professional goals?
a. I'd like to be successful in my new positions here at Williston State.

q. How has Williston changed since you were younger?
a. I think there's a lot of infrastructure changes that have happened and more people and businesses have come in. There's a greater diversity of people as well, which is important.

q. What are your favorite things to do around Williston?
a. I only recently moved back, so I need to explore the town some more, but I always enjoy spending time with friends and family.

q. What is one thing you'd change about Williston and why?
a. I'd really like to get rid of the mosquitos for obvious reasons.

q. What are some interesting facts about you that people may not know?
a. I've traveled to around 35 countries. My favorites include Georgia, Vietnam, and Brazil. I also ran a marathon.

q. What are some of your hobbies or interests?
a. I like to meet new people and learn new things, which is pretty broad! I also like playing volleyball, running, cooking, and exploring new restaurants.

q. Who would play you in a movie?
a. Sarah Rafferty.