- How long have you been teaching at CofC?
This is my first semester.
- What were you doing before coming to CofC?
I did my PhD in Sociology at Indiana University in Bloomington, so I was living in Bloomington, Indiana before coming to CofC. However, Louisville, KY is what I call home.
- Where did you study and what inspired you to study sociology and become a professor?
During my freshman year at Lake Forest College, I enrolled in a Sociology and Anthropology class. The class was taught by Heather Levi, and anthropologist who did her doctoral research on Lucha Libre, professional wrestling in Mexico. I remember reading an article she had written and thinking, “Wow, people really get to study things like this?” I found her research fascinating and was thrilled to learn that I could study similar social phenomenon. I pursued my PhD in sociology and became a professor because I wanted to provide others with the same eye-opening experiences I had in college.
- Are you involved in any research at the moment?
Much of my current research is focused on the sociology of sport. Given recent controversies related to the exploitation of student-athletes and the subsequent push for unionization, I have been particularly interested in understanding how participation in collegiate athletic programs influences student-athlete health and well-being. Having studied Division I athletics, I am interested in expanding this line of research to include Divisions II and III to explore how the mental health effects of college sports might vary across competitive levels. As a medical sociologist, I am also interested in beginning new projects related to the lived experiences of persons with chronic and acute mental illness.
- What is your favorite class to teach?
Sociology of Sport – Hands Down! And it’s not because I’m a sports nut. I love teaching this class because I think special topics courses like this one are the perfect way to introduce students from a variety of backgrounds and interests to sociology. But, this is not limited to sports. Movies? Music? Video Games? Language? No matter what an individual is interested in, there is a way to study it from a sociological perspective. I love teaching courses that help students make that connection because it allows them to see their world from a different vantage point and to become more socially competent and empathetic toward others.
- Do you have any advice for current or prospective students?
Yes, take classes in every possible discipline while you’re in college! I wouldn’t have discovered sociology had I not been open to a variety of classes and fields. I would also suggest that students consider traveling abroad while they are in school, or immediately after. It provides a type of real world learning that is not necessarily available in the classroom. There are a number of programs and scholarships available to students interested in study abroad that can help facilitate that experience!
- What are you looking forward to in your new role teaching at CofC?
As a new faculty member, I am looking forward to teaching, mentoring, and collaborating on research projects with students. The most fulfilling aspect of my role is inspiring curiosity in my students. I enjoy challenging students to step outside of their comfort zones, while also learning about what interests them most about the world around them.
- What is your favorite book or are you reading anything interesting?
Eats, Shoots & Leaves. It’s a witty book about how minor changes in punctuation can completely alter the meaning of a sentence. I keep a couple copies in my office for anyone interested in checking it out!
- What is your favorite food?
All of it! Olives are the only type of food I’ve ever discovered that I actually dislike.
- If you could have dinner with one person, living or dead, who would it be?
I’m cheating by including more than one person here, but I would have to say my family. They are the quirkiest bunch of individuals I know and there is never a dull moment when they are all around.