Graduate School Newsblog

My research encompasses the intersection of media, neoliberalism, and feminism. I am interested in how neoliberalism is represented in media as well as women’s agency within that system. I plan to write my dissertation on how neoliberalism is represented in media through the lens of women. Currently, I am exploring the film and photography of Lauren Greenfield and Sofia Coppola. I am fascinated by how their critiques of capitalism and consumerism both subvert and reify neoliberalism.

I would love to teach a class on how neoliberalism is represented in various media. My goal is to become a professor and teach humanities classes that ask students to consider the world around them, beyond what’s in front of them. I want to invite future students to ask questions about media representation and challenge what they see.

I want to extend my gratitude to the Graduate School, Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel, and Dean for this fellowship. I am thankful to the Interim Humanities Department Chair Dr. Kette Thomas, the Rhetoric, Theory & Culture Graduate Program Director Dr. Dana Van Kooy, my co-advisors Dr. Stefka Hristova and Dr. J.W. Hammond, and committee member Dr. Scott Marratto for their guidance and mentoring.

I would like to thank the selection committee for choosing me for the 2025 King-Chavez-Parks Future Faculty Fellowship. I would also like to thank my advisor, Dr. Holly Hassel, my department chair, Dr. Kette Thomas, and my program director, Dr. Dana Van Kooy. Finally, I want to thank my family—my mom Susan, my sister Madison, and my cats Bruce, Dinah, and Wally—for always supporting my educational goals. With this fellowship I will be able to achieve my goal of becoming a professor.

I am a first generation college student, so graduate school was initially intimidating. However, I have been graced with wonderful mentors here at Michigan Tech who have helped guide me through the challenges graduate school presents.

I first knew that I wanted to teach when I became an Assistant Scoutmaster for Scouting America Troop 823 out of Fenton, MI. I grew up in the Scouting America program (then referred to as Boy Scouts of America) and always enjoyed leading others. However, it wasn’t until I became an adult leader that I realized I had been teaching for years—and loving it—while I was a scout. Whether showing new scouters the basics of camping or providing advice to aspiring youth leaders, teaching opportunities were always present.

When I began working as a Graduate Teaching Instructor in the Humanities department in 2023, my path was cemented. After just one week of teaching in the writing classroom I knew I had made the right choice, and that teaching is what I’m meant to do.

Being a first generation college student, I want to use this fellowship to help others who don’t have the same access to education that I have been lucky enough to have and concentrate my skills where they will be best served. Upon completion of my degree at Michigan Tech, I plan to teach in the two-year college space in the Ann Arbor area and focus on creating an equitable writing space for all students.