Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION

Ph.D. Anthropology, Expected 2027, University of Kansas

  • Dissertation: “Ethnology of Migration Policies in the United States and Ecuador”

    • Conducts ethnographic interviews with stakeholders of Ecuador’s migration system to analyze the implications of migration policy on refugee integration.

M.S. Anthropology & Applied Community and Economic Development, 2023, Illinois State University

  • Thesis: “Developing Qualitative Research Questions for Illinois Post-Release Prison Analysis”

    • Explored a mixed-method approach for assessing reintegration challenges faced by formerly incarcerated persons.

B.A. Anthropology, Spanish and Interdisciplinary Studies Minors, 2019, Florida Gulf Coast University

  • Dean's List, Fall 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2019

  • Thesis: “Heritage Tourism: How the Tourism Industry Alters Definitions of Heritage in Cusco, Peru”

    • Investigated the transformation of cultural heritage through tourism dynamics.

RESEARCH

Fellowships & Awards

  • 2024 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award ($6,895)

  • 2024 Carrol D. Clark Summer Graduate Research Award, University of Kansas ($1,000)

  • 2024 Madison & Lila Self Graduate Fellowship, University of Kansas ($225,000)

  • 2024 Department of Anthropology Travel Award, University of Kansas ($750)

  • 2024 Tinker Field Research Grant, University of Kansas ($3,500)

  • 2023-24 Foreign Language Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship, Brazilian Portuguese ($38,000)

  • 2023 Scott Elliott Award, Illinois State University ($300)

  • 2023 Lambda Alpha National Anthropology Honor Society, Illinois State University

  • 2021-23 Applied Community and Economic Development Fellowship, Illinois State University ($45,000)

  • 2022 Office of Student Research Travel Grant, Illinois State University ($300)

  • 2022 Symposium Presentation Assistance Grant, Illinois State University ($300)

  • 2021-22 Stevenson Center Professional Development Award, Illinois State University ($450)

  • 2021 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award ($6,895)

  • 2019-20 Seidler Undergraduate Collaboration Fellowship, Florida Gulf Coast University ($5,000)

Academic Conferences & Presentations

  • 2025, “50 Years of Migration Policy in Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela,” Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies Research Symposium, University of Kansas

  • 2025, “Ethnology of Migration Policy in the United States and Ecuador,” Madison and Lila Self Graduate Fellowship Symposium and Poster Session

  • 2025, “A Discursive Analysis of Migrants in Ecuador's Constitution,” 2nd Biennial Graduate Association for the Department of Spanish and Portuguese Conference, University of Kansas

  • 2024, “Ethnology of Migration Policy in the United States and Ecuador,” Madison and Lila Self Graduate Fellowship Public Poster Session

  • 2024, “Ethnology of Migration Policy in the United States and Ecuador,” Madison and Lila Self Graduate Fellowship Policy Luncheon

  • 2024, “Governance and Violence in Latin American Migration,” Co-Moderator and Speaker, Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies Virtual Roundtable, University of Kansas

  • 2024, “A Discursive Analysis of Migrants in Ecuador's Constitution,” 74th Annual Midwest Association for Latin American Studies Conference

  • 2024, “Refugee Rights and Perspectives of Refugee Service Providers in Ecuador,” Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies Merienda Series, University of Kansas

  • 2024, “Refugee Rights and Perspectives of Refugee Service Providers in Ecuador,” Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies Research Symposium, University of Kansas

  • 2024, “Refugee Rights and Perspectives of Refugee Service Providers in Ecuador,” 81st Annual Midwest Political Science Association Conference

  • 2024, “Developing Qualitative Research Questions for Illinois Post-Release Prison Analysis,” ANTH 160/360 Varieties of the Human Experience, University of Kansas

  • 2023, “Developing Qualitative Research Questions for Illinois Post-Release Prison Analysis,” Capstone Public Presentation, Illinois State University

  • 2023, “Post-Arab Spring United Nations Democracy Promotion in Tunisia,” 80th Annual Midwest Political Science Association Conference

  • 2022, “Post-Arab Spring United Nations Democracy Promotion in Tunisia,” 29th Annual Illinois State University Conference for Students of Political Science

  • 2022, “Universal Citizenship in Ecuador: A Substantive Policy Model for Mitigating the Venezuelan Refugee Crisis,” 79th Annual Midwest Political Science Association Conference

  • 2022, “Universal Citizenship in Ecuador: A Substantive Policy Model for Mitigating the Venezuelan Refugee Crisis,” Illinois State University Research Symposium

  • 2022, “Universal Citizenship in Ecuador: A Substantive Policy Model for Mitigating the Venezuelan Refugee Crisis,” 82nd Annual Society for Applied Anthropology Meeting

  • 2019, “Symbolic Borders: A Case Study on the Role of Language in Shaping Perceptions of American Identity,” 91st Annual South Atlantic Modern Language Conference

TEACHING

University of Kansas, Guest Lecturer, Lawrence, Kansas

October 29, 2024-October, 29,2024

  • Presented “Health in Community Development: Venezuela and the ‘Barrio Adentro’ Program” to the LAC 177/277 First Year Seminar: Native Americans Crossing Borders course.

February 22, 2024-February 22, 2024

  • Presented “Post-Arab Spring Democracy in Tunisia” to the ANTH 510 Special Topics in Socio-Cultural Anthropology: Anthropology of Revolutions course.

University of Kansas, Graduate Teaching Assistant, Lawrence, Kansas

August 18, 2023-May 10, 2024

  • Graded and created lesson plans for 8 discussion sections in the ANTH 130/360 Varieties of the Human Experience course.

Illinois State University, Graduate Teaching Assistant, Normal, Illinois

August 10, 2021-May 15, 2022

  • Co-moderated lessons and graded undergraduate student work in the ANT 281 Principles of Socio-Cultural Anthropology, ANT 277 Principles of Language and Culture, ANT 105 People and Food, and ANT 185 Cultures of the World course.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

University of Kansas, Graduate Research Assistant, Lawrence, Kansas

August 8, 2024-Present

  • Collects and analyzes ethnographic interview data from stakeholders of Ecuador’s migration system to analyze the implications of migration policy on refugee integration.

AmeriCorps VISTA, VISTA Leader, Wichita, Kansas

August 15, 2023-May 20, 2025

  • Supervised 12 AmeriCorps VISTAs through tracking timesheets, biweekly reports, conducting monthly check-in meetings, and administering program trainings and evaluations.

  • Managed Wichita State University AmeriCorps Program social media accounts; created 75 posts sharing member impact stories, position openings, events, and trainings.

  • Organized and led three service events with the Kansas Food Bank, GIV Warehouse of the United Way of the Plains, and Kansas Humane Society to increase access to direct service opportunities

Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council, Research Analyst, Chicago, Illinois

June 15, 2022-December 31, 2023

  • Interviewed stakeholders of the criminal legal system in Illinois for the “Impact of Long-Term Prison Sentences” research project with the University of Illinois at Chicago.

  • Conducted SPSS analyses of Illinois Department of Corrections and Criminal History Record Information data to identify quantitative trends in sentencing.

  • Transcribed public meetings and conducted a letter analysis of submissions from incarcerated persons for the Illinois Resentencing Task Force (House Bill 3597/Public Act 102-0099).

National Alliance of Community and Economic Development Associations, Researcher, Washington D.C.

September 1, 2022-January 1, 2023

  • Researched national community and economic development organizations in the United States as a part of a resource segmentation study to connect service providers.

Illinois Partners for Human Service, Policy & Government Affairs Intern, Chicago, Illinois

January 10, 2022-June 10, 2022

  • Created action alerts and data/fact sheets to inform health and human service providers about proposed legislation in the State of Illinois that may affect their organization.

  • Supported outreach to Illinois State Legislators, the Governor’s Office, State Agencies, and other nonprofit organizations; conducted advocacy-based grant research.

AmeriCorps VISTA, Development Coordinator, Tampa, Florida

October 28, 2020-August 7, 2021

  • Created a Virtual Musical Bingo Event that served as a Spring 2021 Fundraiser for Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) Programs in Sarasota County resulting in $6,000 in donations.

  • Composed fundraising and capital campaign grant proposals that successfully raised $250,000 for the Lippman Youth Shelter and $150,000 for the LSF Head Start Facility in Jacksonville, Florida.

  • Assisted in the Heart & Sole Virtual Shoe Drive for the Pinellas County Case Management Office that collected 1,200 pairs of shoes and $10,000 in donation for foster children.

Florida Department of Children and Families Refugee Services (DCF-RS) Task Force, Committee Member

June 20, 2020-August 7, 2021

  • Presented research on sustainable program development and ways to virtually adapt materials and resources to better support refugee clients during the COVID-19 pandemic

AmeriCorps VISTA, Refugee Mentor Coordinator, Tampa, Florida

April 8, 2020-October 28, 2020

  • Executed the Department of Children & Families Refugee Project at Lutheran Services Florida through creating sustainable community ties and college/career exchange experiences for hundreds of refugee clients.

  • Managed program training and policy development for refugee mentors and clients to create streamlined procedures for the refugee mentoring program.

  • Created an Annual Recruitment Plan for FY2021, including an activities calendar and list of community partners and organizational contacts to assist refugee clients in their transition and engagement with the community.

Peace Corps, Volunteer, Quito, Ecuador

January 10, 2020-March 16, 2020

  • Taught English as a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Instructor in Quito, Ecuador and Puyo, Ecuador; participated in 119.5 hours of Spanish Language and Ecuadorian Culture sessions, 88.5 hours of teaching training, and 14.5 hours of intercultural studies.

SKILLS

Languages

  • Spanish (Advanced), Brazilian Portuguese (Intermediate)

Statistical and Computer Software

  • GIS, SPSS, Qualtrics