Research

In my role as doctoral fellow in the Municipal Research Lab, my research focuses on collaborative approaches to problem-solving, public trust, and advancing social equity in both the criminal justice and public education systems. Deeply committed to educating and inspiring future public sector leaders, my research agenda is guided by my commitment to the next generation.

My research contributions include publications on education and equitable service delivery, with a quantitative focus on constructing survey instruments and analyzing large datasets. My dissertation, “Three Essays Exploring Trust in Law Enforcement,” uses qualitative and quantitative methodologies to understand trust between public workers and the community, particularly in the context of recent events related to police brutality and the social unrest that followed.

Having previously received an MPA and a graduate certificate in Arts and Cultural Management from the College of Charleston, I am currently a doctoral candidate in public administration at North Carolina State University. My work as an academic and public servant is driven by the desire to generate insights that inform both study and practice of public policy and management.

I recently served as the editorial assistant of the Journal of Public Affairs Education, Currently I serve as a board member of the American Society for Public Administration’s Section for Women in Public Administration and Section for Public Affairs Education. I am also the Vice President of my local ASPA chapter and was named a 2020 ASPA Founders Fellow.

I have diverse experience in regional planning, higher education, and nonprofits in the public sector. Notably, I contributed to the North Carolina Workforce Development Leadership Initiative, developing and implementing a professional training program for leaders in workforce and economic development, leading to the Certified Workforce Developer designation. 

Currently, I work for Central Pines Regional Council, a member-driven organization connecting communities and enhancing strategic outcomes through regional policy, collaboration, and technical assistance. As part of the Member Support & Strategy Team, I support ongoing initiatives, improve public sector workplaces, facilitate data-driven decisions, and leverage federal and state policies. Our work is based on the belief that our region prospers when we unite with a shared vision and plan for the future.

To read more about my work, I provided my CV below. 

More recent updates can be found on LinkedIn and Google Scholar.