Personal Profile
I’m an avid traveler today due, in no small way, to my parents’ affinity for education. Before starting up the family catering business—to which both my mom and dad dedicated much of their lives—they were school teachers. An ordinary family, growing up middle-class in the 60's and 70’s we lived, for the most part, modestly—with one exception: Vacations.
Vacations were not to be denied, nor were they to be scrimped on. Both my parents viewed travel as an important part of our education and regularly took us to visit countless museums, national monuments, and other educational destinations. It was a normal part of our growing up.
As a result, I have traveled throughout 40 U.S. states, including both Alaska and Hawaii. Naturally, as an adult, I continue indulging this passion for travel. I’ve been fortunate to have visited Ireland, Germany, Canada, the Caribbean Islands, Bahamas, and Mexico. And trust me—the 10 U.S. states to which I have not been—they are definitely on my itinerary.
Raising a son and daughter with Bill, my husband of 30 years, it was 2002 before I had the opportunity and time to further my educational goals. While selecting a graduate program at Regis University, it was recommended I pursue a course of study about which I feel passionate and intensely committed.
Following that, and the advice of Mark Twain, who said, "Make your vocation your vacation," I decided on an M.A. in adult learning, training and development. For my instructional design research project, I designed an Educational Travel Curriculum combining my passion for travel with an adult education component. As part of that project, I interviewed adult learners who, in their lives, have pursued professional development and training opportunities that were either enhanced by or available only through travel.