As a multifaceted individual with a passion for music, languages, marketing, and higher education, I have always had a thirst for knowledge and a desire to make a meaningful impact in the world. Growing up in Central Jersey, I had relative access to great places like NYC with its theater and commerce or Washington D.C. with its government and history; however, I spent a fair amount of my time right across the bridge in Pennsylvania. My two states gave me access to amazing opportunities such as being on television for about many years helping guide and advise young people across the region on issues and social challenges and also worked as a youth program counselor helping empower and inspire kids and teens to grow and develop skills in team building, problem solving, effective communication, and taking on challenges.
Academically, I was a standout student, consistently ranking number one in my class for five consecutive years since 8th grade, and eventually graduated as valedictorian. I went on to attend Temple University in Philadelphia, where I studied mathematics and Spanish. I didn’t want to stay in New Jersey where I’d be directly under my parents. I wanted to venture out and explore what life looked like on my own away from my hometown; however, I did want to be just close enough to home where my mom could still help with laundry and groceries in college.
Throughout my academic journey, I found myself drawn to teaching and tutoring, and spent much of the earliest of professional career working with adult second language learners in local schools with Hispanic populations as well as young men (ages 12-20) in boys’ homes in the Philadelphia child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
For the entirety of my career, however, I have been working in higher education, primarily focusing on strategic marketing operations for academic institutions and their contracted vendors. Although my titles may not convey much to the outside world, I am passionate about improving enrollment practices, communications, and academic policies at higher education institutions. Working with students is one of my favorite aspects of these roles, as I find joy in helping them understand complex concepts like the hidden college curriculum, especially for first generation students. And when my departments have the budget, I love to hire students and watch them become integral members of my team as they realize that the work they do is important to the mission of the college or university.
My love of academia extends beyond the realm of higher education, as I also have a deep passion for music education and enrichment as well. As a lifelong musician whose Memom spent time with him on his childhood keyboard until the day he brought home the form for instrumental music lessons in 4th grade, I find great satisfaction in providing the building blocks and scaffolding for young musicians to build upon. As an arranger in adulthood, I pride myself on approaching popular and obscure songs with intentionality, organization, and vitality. My goal is to breathe new life into musical numbers and bring a fresh perspective to other artists’ creative works while nurturing the growth and development of new musicians whose creativity lies in original music and concepts.
On the weekends, you can find me indulging in my love of cartoons and anime or working on complex musical arrangements. I am always happy to discuss my passions or experiences and share best practices with others as they relate to education, music, language, and any number of my niche interests.
I’m holding out hope that they’ll eventually add me to Mount Rushmore.
The zombie apocalypse is coming; what three people do you want on your team?
100% my dad; I’m pretty sure he could get me out of any bad situation that involves survival skills or old school street smarts. The other two? If not my mom, then a personal chef or a personal trainer. haha. Maybe my mom could be the chef…?
What was the worst style choice you ever made?
There are several Senior Superlative photos of me out there in the universe that have me in a yellow long sleeve polo. I was young; we all make mistakes. But I’ve been revisiting bright colours now after the Inauguration. I own TWO yellow hats.
"I was first, you know, taken aback by her yellow coat. You know, cuz black people look great in yellow; I don't know if y'all know that. We invented yellow, actually." - @TrevellAnderson on the Nerdette Inauguration Special regarding @TheAmandaGorman
If you could magically become fluent in any language, what would it be?
日本人
Name one cool feature you would add to your dream house.
My dad and I have been talking about me building my own house one day for years, so I actually have this answer on hand: a library with the bookshelf that moves triggered by switch in a fake version of a select book. It can lead to a secret room! Shhh!
What’s your favorite place of all the places you’ve travelled?
Barcelona, España. Los Bunkers del Carmel fueron uno de los partes más interesantes de mi viaje más reciente. Fui al España con mi madre para la semana de mi cumpleaños y, les digo, la subida fue un esfuerzo, pero la vista es ciertamente vale la pena.
