What did you do after Valley? Where did your life take you? 

After Valley, I attended college and began my career in education. I started as an elementary school teacher and guidance counselor, and over time discovered a passion for leadership, mentoring, and helping others achieve their goals.
That passion led me to pursue advanced degrees, including a masters in school counseling and a doctorate in organizational leadership. Today, I serve as a professor and Senior Doctoral Chair at Grand Canyon University, where I have the privilege of guiding doctoral students through some of the most important milestones of their academic journeys.
Beyond higher education, I founded Arizona Provider Training, a company dedicated to training and supporting professionals who serve individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities. One of the highlights of my career has been co-authoring and publishing my book, From Research to Reality: A Practical Guide for Writing Your Dissertation, which was written to help doctoral students navigate the dissertation process with greater confidence and clarity.
Looking back, my path after Valley has been shaped by a commitment to education, service, leadership, and lifelong learning. From the classroom to entrepreneurship to becoming a published author, I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to make a difference and help others turn their goals into reality.

Tell us a little about your daily work:

Today, I serve as a Professor and Senior Doctoral Chair at Grand Canyon University, where I mentor master’s and doctoral students through their research, dissertations, and academic journeys. My day is a mix of teaching, providing feedback, meeting with students, supporting dissertation research, and helping future scholars achieve their educational goals.
In addition to my university work, I am the founder and owner of Arizona Provider Training (APT) and Care Point Institute, where I develop training programs for caregivers and healthcare professionals. This includes creating educational content, leading strategic initiatives, building partnerships, and ensuring high-quality training opportunities for those serving individuals with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. I also host a podcast called APT Beyond the Classroom.
In addition, I spend time writing, speaking, and mentoring leaders and entrepreneurs. No two days are exactly alike, but my work is centered on education, leadership development, and creating resources that help people make a meaningful impact in their communities.

What’s one surprising thing we don’t know about you?

I like to paint because it allows me to be creative, relax, and express myself in a different way.

While you were at VCS, which teachers, coaches or classmates had the biggest impact on you?

Mrs. Bolkema was my favorite teacher. She instilled a love of history in me.

How do you stay connected with your friends from Valley and with VCS?

Mostly on Facebook.

What’s one lasting memory you have of VCS?

One of my favorite memories from Valley was the friendships I built during my high school years.

Do you have any advice for current students?

My advice for current students is to stay open to opportunities, even if they don’t seem connected to your long-term goals at first. Build relationships, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. The experiences, challenges, and connections you make now can shape your future in ways you may not expect. Most importantly, believe in yourself and keep moving forward, even when the path isn’t perfectly clear.