Where do you live now?

Belva, West Virginia

Why did you choose to attend WVU Tech?

WVU Tech was close to home, and I received a softball scholarship.

What is your fondest memory from your time at Tech?

I cannot recall a specific memory.  Lots of fun traveling to away games!

Who was your favorite professor(s) at Tech? 

Peggy Lambert-Fink, ironically, she is my co-worker now.

What is the most valuable thing you gained or learned from your time at WVU Tech?

The most valuable thing I learned during my time at WVU Tech, is to believe in yourself.

What accomplishments at WVU Tech are you most proud of? 

I am most proud of the fact that I truly have made it full circle and am now giving back to the program that helped mold me. I enjoy helping other student athletes find a balance between school and sports. Often times students are worried that they cannot be a nursing student and an athlete, but I am evidence that you can. Yes, it will be hard and there will be times that you want to give up, but the challenge will only make you more driven to be successful and in the end make you a better nurse.

What was your favorite non-athletic activity at WVU Tech? 

Hanging out in the Bear's Dean with friends.

Who is your current employer?

West Virginia University School of Nursing

What is your current job title and what does the position entail?

I serve as an Assistant Professor and Academic Counselor in the nursing program on the Beckley campus.  I teach at the sophomore and senior level.  As the academic counselor I assist all nursing students on the Beckley campus with strategies and resources to help them be successful and reach their goal of becoming a registered nurse.

What advice can you give current student-athletes? 

The best advice that I can give current student-athletes is to stay focused. Stay focused on God, stay focused on your studies, stay focused on the game, stay focused on the goal, stay focused on yourself, stay focused on whatever drives you to be the best you can be in everything you do. At the end of the day, it's just a game, it is what you do after that counts.  

What accomplishments after WVU Tech are you most proud of? 

My family and the life we have built together. I am happily married to my husband of 18 years, Jeff (also a WVU Tech grad) and our two children, Madison (15) and Brooklyn (13).  Career wise, I was recognized in 2017 as a Future of Nursing West Virginia 40 under 40. I completed an MSN program in 2016 and am currently enrolled in a DNP program.

How did your athletic involvement aid in the path that you chose following graduation?  

I honestly have never thought of how softball led me to nursing, but I can see some similarities in the two. I would first have to reflect on teamwork. Teamwork is the foundation of both. It is imperative that you work together as a team to win the game, but equally important that you work together to improve the patient's outcome. Adaptability and quick decision making is something else that comes to mind. Nurses must adapt and think critically on their feet, similar to softball players needing to make quick decisions while fielding, batting or running bases. Lastly, being goal oriented. As an athlete your goal is to become better, faster, stronger and WIN! As a nurse, you are driven to provide the best care possible to your patient.

Tell us more!

As mentioned above, I have been happily married to Jeff for 18 years, we have two daughters Madison and Brooklyn. We also have 2 golden retrievers Buddy and Max and a chocolate dapple dachshund, named Stella.  We are a very active family, spending time camping, hiking, playing softball and volleyball. I was a volunteer coach for Little League for several years when our girls were little. My husband and I are youth leaders at our church.