I received a BS in Zoology, Minor in Anthropology from Humboldt State University, an MS in Interdisciplinary Ecology with a concentration in Anthropology from University of Florida and my PhD in Interdisciplinary Ecology with a concentration in Zoology and certificates in Environmental Education and Communication and Tropical Conservation and Development from the University of Florida. Although, I am trained as a conservation biologist I funded my graduate education as the Coordinator of Undergraduate Tutoring and Teaching at the University of Florida. Rather than choose a tenure-track faculty career path I opted to pursue higher education administration because it allows me to combine my love of educating in the classroom, data analysis, and policy development.