About me

I am an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Connecticut. As a researcher, my goal is to find ways to get more young people with foster care experience into and through higher education. This involves identifying barriers that can be removed, strengths youth possess that can be built up, and conducting research that informs policies and practices that have real, beneficial impacts on youths' lives. In particular, I strive to create knowledge that is relevant to child welfare and education, two systems that play big roles in the success of youth with care experience in higher education. Before I started a PhD program to become a researcher, my professional experience involved working with youth in social services (as a counselor at a residential treatment center, a therapist in a high school, a care coordinator for a wraparound program) and in education (as a middle school teacher, an SAT instructor, a college residence life apartment director). These two areas of professional experience dovetail to inform my research and and animate my commitment to promoting educational equity for youth with foster care backgrounds. 

​

When I am not working, you'll find me hanging out with my wife and two daughters, training for marathons and triathlons, and watching 80s movies.