B.A. Anthropology (New York University), M.A. Anthropology (UC Berkeley), Ph.D. Anthropology (UC Berkeley)

I discovered my love of anthropology by accident. I took an anthropology course in college to satisfy a graduation requirement, and I soon realized that anthropology allowed me to better understand myself and the world around me. I was hooked! I changed my major to anthropology at the end of that semester, and I went on to complete additional graduate degrees in anthropology. Since that very first course, I have been committed to sharing anthropology with others, and I have taught anthropology in California community colleges for fifteen years.

I believe every student has the ability to thrive and succeed in my courses, and I am there to provide each student the support they need to do so. Working together, we will explore humanity in the past, present, and future.

Whether you are already in love with anthropology, are just curious about humanity, or are looking for interesting courses to help satisfy your graduation requirements, my courses are the perfect fit for you!

My Commitment to Equity

I am an ally to racially minoritized students and LGBTQIA2S+ students. I am pleased to work in partnership with and in support of student athletes, students with disabilities and learning differences, DACA/AB-540 students, Guardian Scholars, EOPS students, system-impacted students, veterans, and all our diverse student populations.

I am proud to support the Indigenous Club at the College and honored to have served as the Indigenous Club's advisor.

I am deeply committed to serving minoritized students, and I use equity-minded approaches in my teaching. I am co-author of a laboratory manual for biological anthropology (published by W.W. Norton and Co. and now in its second edition) that employs active and cooperative strategies to foster student learning and critical thinking. I have also co-authored teaching materials (also with W.W. Norton and Co.) that specifically focus on promoting the contributions of BIPOC scientists as part of antiracist and decolonizing approaches to teaching biological anthropology.

My commitment to equity also extends to using the Guided Pathways framework to improve the student experience of our college. I served on the Guided Pathways leadership team for several years, and I am proud of the strides we have already made to consciously understand the student experience, identify institutional barriers to student success, and remove those barriers. As the College continues its Guided Pathways efforts, I am eager to support this invaluable work to make our college a place where equity is approached with intention and each student's needs are met and supported on their path to success.