VISITING PROFESSOR OF GEOLOGY

144 Padnos Hall of Science
One Campus Drive
Allendale, Michigan 49401-9403
Office Telephone: (616)-331-8524
Office Fax: (616)-331-3740
Electronic Mail: [email protected]

EDUCATION

M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction (2009) Sam Houston State University

M.S. Geoscience (2023) Environmental Geoscience Concentration, Mississippi State University

B.S. Geology, (2001) University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Grand Valley State University, Geology Department, Visiting Faculty (2024-present)

Director of K-12 Education Outreach, Michigan Geological Survey (2024-Present)

Outreach Coordinator, Michigan Geological Survey (2023-2024)

Geology, Physical Science & Integrated Science Teacher, Houston, Texas (2007-2022)

Environmental Consultant Geologist, Clayton Group Services, Michigan, California and Texas (2002-2007)

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Board Member of the Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association

MiCorp Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program Water Quality volunteer 

Black Lake Preservation Society, Water Quality Program lead volunteer

Black Lake Watershed Advisory Council member and Harmful Algal Bloom Subcommittee member

Geological Society of America

National Science Teaching Association

Michigan Science Teachers Association

Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education

COURSES

GEO 100: Environmental Geology

GEO 111: Exploring Geology

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My interests lie broadly in the geology of Michigan and its natural resources.  Working for the Michigan Geological Survey, housed within the Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education (Core Lab), exposed me to the scientific, historic and economic sides of Michigan's geology.  I enjoy bringing geologic outreach to students of all ages in Michigan.  

I am also interested in the surface water quality of northern Michigan lakes.  I enjoy volunteering for the MiCorp Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program where I am the lead water quality monitor for Black Lake in Cheboygan, Michigan.  I contribute to the long-term data collection of surface water quality of the Cheboygan Watershed.  I am an active member of the Black Lake Preservation Society, Black Lake Watershed Advisory Council and Harmful Algal Bloom Subcommittee.

I have a hobby interest in planetary science.  Living in Houston, Texas, I was drawn to NASA Johnson Space Center for professional development in the fields of astromaterials, Artemis and Mars missions, rover expeditions, and ISS programs.  I was a certified teacher in the Lunar and Meteorite Sample Disk program.