Biographical Information
My interests and research center largely on the transmission and evolution of ideas and identity through migration. The nature of my past studies and research leads me to view history through the lens of transnationalism, where the interconnectedness of events, structures, and processes transcends the constructs of nation-state.
I approach teaching from a collaborative perspective, where students and instructors work together to broaden their understanding of the past and how the past relates to the present. I strive to challenge students to “lean into” the discomfort of challenging topics while preserving the importance of individualism in the classroom.
In addition to academic pursuits, I am active in public history and historic preservation, having served as a Commissioner on the Historic Preservation Board of Colorado Springs and as a member of the Historic Preservation Alliance of Colorado Springs.
Areas of Interest
- Migration
- Transnational History
- Labor History
- Identity
- Oral History
- Social History
- Popular Culture
Education
- 2021: Department of History, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Master of Arts. Areas of focus: Migration and Transnational History; Identity.
- 1996: Department of History, Illinois State University, Bachelor of Arts. Areas of Focus: Migration and Labor History; Russian History.