When I was younger I never would have pictured myself as someone who would have taken an interest in grammar. All throughout elementary school I despised grammar and anything that included it. How humorous it would be to have me now, a graduate student in linguistics, approach my younger self and explain that I would one day have a future working in a field that I used to hate.

It actually wasn't until I became a freshman in college that I learned about linguistics. I was an undecided major at the time, and liked science, math (yes math!), and foreign languages, but I could never figure out how to mesh all of them together. I had then heard about linguistics through searching online and when I found out that Toledo had an introductory course in it, I decided to take it and see what it was all about. And man it was love at first sight! I'm thrilled that I jumped on the chance to take the course and even more thrilled that linguistics is a real career path full of all sorts of possibilities.

In 2010, I graduated cum laude from the University of Toledo with a B.A. in Linguistics. I enjoyed my time there and I still visit the Toledo area from time to time to see my friends and family.

After Toledo, I then started my graduate studies in Linguistics at Eastern Michigan University and was even happier that I was able to work for LINGUIST List and help out with several projects.

I have also traveled to Sicily and France, interned with the Peace Corps for graphic design through the Washington Center, and attended the Linguistic Institute in Boulder, Colorado.

On a more personal note, I love to tap dance! I started taking lessons when I was around five years old and I don't know what I would do without it. It's the perfect stress reliever! Slamming your feet into the ground with intent seems to take away any troubles that I may be having that day. I recommend it to anyone looking for a fun new hobby.