Areas of Expertise

urban sociology, family, social demography, quantitative research methods

Background

Originally from Louisville, KY, I attended Western Kentucky University for my BA and MA and the University at Albany, SUNY for my PhD. I first became interested in issues surrounding housing in high school when a public housing complex I drove by every day on my way to school was being torn down and redeveloped into mixed-income housing as part of a HOPE VI grant. When I later took a sociology class, I realized that there were researchers who studied these (and other) housing issues and I knew I had figured out what I wanted to do. I’m interested in researching how housing and neighborhoods impact families and in including family and household structure in urban research.

Research Interests

residential segregation, housing, neighborhoods, family structure, social demography

Research Publications
Education
  • PhD, Sociology, University at Albany, State University of New York
  • MA, Sociology, Western Kentucky University
  • BA, Sociology, Western Kentucky University 
Fun facts

I enjoy traveling, going to concerts, and spending time with friends and family.

Favorite thing about UIndy

Our students! I love teaching our wonderful undergraduate and graduate students in the classroom and working with them on research and community engagement outside the classroom.

Areas of Expertise

sociology of reproduction, identity formation, medicalization

Background

I am a midwestern transplant via California, and am excited to explore a new region of the country. Prior to landing at UIndy, I taught at California State University-Bakersfield, Santa Monica College, and Rutgers University-Newark. My love for sociology emerged while I was an undergraduate at the University of Richmond where I was captivated by my race/class/gender and theory courses.  I love that sociology provides a wide umbrella with which to analyze and understand anything and everything in the social world - I’ve never felt tied down by the discipline!  I attended the New School for Social Research in NYC for my MA and PhD where I was able to focus on social theory and really develop my interest in the sociology of reproduction.

Research Interests

sociology of reproduction, sociology of the family, medicalization, gender studies, intersections of race/class/gender, embodiment

Research Publications
Education
  • PhD, Sociology, The New School for Social Research
  • MA, Sociology, The New School for Social Research
  • BA, Sociology, University of Richmond
Fun facts

I love music and have seen my favorite band, Nine Inch Nails, about 34 times.  I’m also obsessed with my cat and Grady (of course).

Favorite thing about UIndy

The people! I feel so fortunate to have ended up at a school with such an amazing community and I felt like this was home as soon as I started here. It is particularly wonderful that I get to work so closely with students.  The classroom environment is so rich and it has been extremely rewarding to work with students both inside and outside of the classroom on research and other projects.  

Areas of Expertise

family, gender, social class

Background

Prior to returning to Indiana, taught at the University of Central Oklahoma and was chosen as the Liberal Arts new faculty member of the year. Published in the Journal of Marriage and Family, Socius, Qualitative Sociology, and the Journal of Family Relations. Has had work featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR's On Point and Here and Now, and numerous national and international papers.

Research Interests

non-marital cohabitation, gender roles, fertility and contraceptive choices, relationship progression

Research Publications
Education
  • PhD, Sociology, Ohio State University
  • MA, Sociology, Ohio State University
  • MSW, Social Work, University of Southern Indiana
  • BAs, Sociology, Gender Studies, and Psychology, Indiana University
Fun facts

I'm a true Hoosier. In fact, my nickname (which my family still uses to refer to me today) was given to me by my grandmother in honor of her favorite Indy 500 driver: A.J. Foyt.

Favorite thing about UIndy

I love the opportunity to build personal relationships with my students. Because of our rapport, we end up having such great discussions together in the classroom that I often walk away feeling that I learned just as much as my students did that day.

Background

I earned my bachelor’s degree in Communication from Marian University (Indianapolis) where I was a member of the speech and debate team. It was when I was required to get a minor that I fell in love with Sociology. I went on to complete her master’s degree in Sociology from IUPUI. I specialized in family, gender and sexuality and completed her masters thesis about the sexual behaviors of college females based on their BMI, weight satisfaction and body satisfaction. After many years of teaching at the adjunct level and in the disciplines of Health and Human Services and Sociology, I am excited to be an Associate Adjunct in the Sociology Dept. at UIndy. I also hold a PhD in Human and Social Services with concentrations of family studies and interventions. My dissertation research focused on the predicted sexual risk during sex by sexual minority emerging and young adults who had sex education in school. 

Research Interests

gender, gender studies and the home, families, sexuality, sex education, LGBTQIA+, disabilities, and religion

Education
  • PhD, Human and Social Services, Walden University 
  • MA, Sociology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
  • BS, Communication, Marian University
  • AS, Sociology, Marian University 
Fun Fact

My dog Lindale was named by Bev and Miranda Lambert and is a Muttnation Foundation rescue pup.My favorite superhero is Wonder Woman. I love traveling, sports and going to concerts.

Favorite thing about UIndy

My favorite things about UIndy are the students and the atmosphere! I have enjoyed teaching face to face with students and having good discussions about class topics. I like being able to recognize students while walking around campus. I love being able to walk around campus and see the beautiful flowers and trees that this campus has. 

Areas of Expertise

Research and statistics; stratification, sociology of education and religion; theory; social
psychology; collective behavior and social movements; influence of culture; and conspiracy
theory.

Background

I am from the West originally, growing up in Arizona and California. I have been all around the
U.S. and spent a little time abroad. During my early undergraduate program, I had a unique
opportunity to sub for one of my faculty mentors and moved toward education since then. I was
planted in psychology until I met some fun-loving and excited sociologists and double majored
in both psychology and sociology. My chair and mentor had me guest lecture throughout the
semester, and I moved to education. I earned my Ph.D. in Education with a focus on learning,
development, technology, and research/statistics. I have published in national and international
journals as well as reviewed and edited journals.

Research Interests

Sociology of education; Sense of belonging and happiness; Novel technology on education
outcomes; Stratification; Sociology of Religion; Conspiracy theory.

Education
  • PhD, Education, University of Nevada
  • MA, Sociology, University of Nevada
  • BA, Psychology and Sociology, University of Nevada
  • AA, Psychology, Mohave Community College 
Fun Fact

I am a gardener/farmer re-learning how to grow food in a new climate. I farm worms as well for
growing. I am an artist working in resin, paint, and clays creating beautiful pieces to engage my
right brain.

Favorite thing about UIndy

The students. I have taught all over the country and worked with students all around the world.
UIndy students. UIndy students are polite and nice, bringing a genuine desire to learn with them
to each class.

Areas of Expertise

interpersonal relationships, public policy, social norms, civility, law and society

Background

Has conducted public policy analysis of legislation affecting employment and labor; conducted conflict resolution through mediation and negotiation; and managed and participated in the development, construction and formal approval of administrative rules to implement the state's expanded anti-housing discrimination law. Practices law mostly in federal courts and teaches sociology and criminal justice courses through the integration of applied life experiences.

Research Interests

the impact of school vouchers and charter schools on traditional public schools and the quality of education; globalization and social policy; another approach to the study and solution of racial and ethnic relations problems

Education
  • JD, Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis
  • MS, Sociology, Purdue University
Fun facts

As a young child, I was fascinated by what I observed about everyday people; I still am. I also enjoy cultivating and developing a butterfly garden.

Favorite thing about UIndy

UIndy, while maintaining its connection to its historical religious core, has reached out to welcome and embrace the world at large with all of its diversity with the simple tenet of "education for service."

Research Publications
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