I am a 2004 graduate of the University of Kentucky, where I completed my doctoral work on feminist representations in Spanish monologue drama.  I also have a Graduate Certificate in Translation from the University of Louisville and coordinate the Translation and Interpreting coursework and Intermediate Conversation in the Undergraduate program at UK.   My current research interests include translation of Modern Peninsular drama and the development of new coursework in interpreting and an undergraduate certificate in Spanish/English Translation and Interpreting for students across disciplines.  

My interest in Hispanic culture and language stems originally from my Spanish classes in high school!  It grew as I was able to travel to many Spanish-speaking countries over the years.   I attended the program for International Students at the Universidad Complutense in Madrid during my junior year of college, then joined the MA program here at UK in 1995.  After earning the MA and teaching in the Modern Languages Department at my alma mater for a year, I traveled  extensively through South America before returning to my studies for the PhD.  I was the first Graduate Assistant to teach in the semester-long Segovia program with KIIS.  I was pleased to be able to return in the Summer 2023 KIIS program in Segovia as a professor.