I was born on a farm outside of a small town in rural Michigan. I am one of 10 siblings, and grew up riding horses and playing outside. My mother was a teacher and my father was a salesman. Growing up, I had many corrective surgeries on my legs and missed most of middle school and some high school and wore a full leg brace. This experience gave me empathy for people who are different, and also taught me to be independent and how to work effectively on my own.

I knew that I wanted to become an Architect when I was in 7th grade, and took all of the drafting classes in high school that I could. When I decided to apply for college, there were two private schools and one public school in the State of Michigan that had Architecture programs. I chose the University of Michigan . I was the first in my family to go to college (four siblings behind me followed my lead). My mother had a 2-year degree from a County Normal school that allowed her to teach in one-room school houses, she was never able to finish her 4-year degree with the large family and her work.

When I went to the University of Michigan I had a full scholarship to cover tuition, but needed to work to pay for room and board. I always had at least one job during school. During my junior year I studied in Southern France and was able to travel around Europe and North Africa. This experience opened me up to many new people and cultures. When I came back from Junior year, I entered the Architecture School at Michigan and completed my BS in Architecture and then my Masters of Architecture. After college I decided to move to Chicago, I was lured by the world class Architecture and availability of mass transit.

I have lived with my family in Oak Park for 34 years. I spend much time planning projects on my 110 year old house. I love the Architecture and the walkability of the community, and have been involved in the community in many aspects over the years. My husband is an Energy Engineer, and we have two children; our daughter is an Urban Planner and our son is an Engineer.

For 20 years I was involved with the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio and was on the Restoration Committee and gave tours of the Home & Studio. This love of Architecture has been a great fit in the teaching of my classes. Every semester, I take students on a walking tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District. I strive to expose them to the beautiful and interesting structures right around them and instill in them the desire to see more. Coming from a rural community, I know first-hand how important exposure to the world outside your small bubble is to the development as a student and a professional. I work to make that happen for my students here at Triton.

In my spare time, my favorite things to do are Knitting, spinning and weaving. This is a life-long passion in the fiber arts. When I was not going to school in Junior High, I spent much of my free time knitting. My mother even set me up with a small business at a craft cooperative.