Tijuana, Mexico (2007)

About My Research & Service

I am a student researcher from Genesee County, Michigan, dedicated to advancing the field of inclusive municipal management. I am currently completing my undergraduate degree in Organizational Leadership with a minor in Disability Studies and Community Inclusion at Central Michigan University, with a graduation date of May 9, 2026. I am also a graduate student in the accelerated Master of Science in Administration program with a concentration in Public Administration, with my final graduation set for 2027.

A Timeline of International Leadership & Service

My commitment to community building follows a consistent ten year pattern of international engagement, with each decade representing a significant increase in duration and project complexity:

• 2007 | Tijuana, Mexico: My first international service was a 1 week house building project with an international mission group. At 19, I worked with a team to construct a permanent home for a single mother and her 3 children. This experience first sparked my interest in how physical infrastructure forms the bedrock of community health.

• 2017 | Chiang Mai, Thailand: I expanded my global engagement through a 1 year volunteer commitment, which included a 2 week intensive stay supporting elephant conservation and animal health monitoring with the Karen community. I also spent time exploring the culture of downtown Chiang Mai to understand local urban dynamics. This experience taught me how to lead in diverse environments and manage vital natural resources.

• 2027 | Dawasamu District, Fiji: In the summer of 2027, I will undertake a 12 week leadership residency as the capstone for my graduate studies in Public Administration. This residency is designed to observe how local leaders manage community wide sustainability policies, such as plastic free initiatives and reef protection.

Core Research & Professional Focus

My academic work bridges the gap between Organizational Leadership and Disability Studies, focusing on creating accessible municipal environments:

1. Systemic Linguistic Access (2025–2026): I am currently investigating communication barriers in Michigan public agencies. My research advocates for a transition from the medical model of disability to a cultural linguistic model, treating American Sign Language as a primary human right in governance.

2. Inclusive Urban Design: Drawing on DeafSpace principles and my 9 years of experience at the Michigan School for the Deaf, I am researching how city managers can implement universal design to improve sensory reach and communication in public squares and government offices.

3. Cross Cultural Communication Tools (2027): During my Fiji residency, I will develop 10 icon based instructional tools to facilitate health and environmental education. This project adapts the Concrete Visual Abstract framework to remove linguistic barriers in public service delivery.

Career Goal: Inclusive City Management

My objective is to serve as a City Manager or high level administrator, utilizing my expertise in Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, and Disability Studies & Community Inclusion to lead Michigan municipalities toward a more equitable future. You can follow my progress and view my data reports on this page as I complete my residency.