Candidate's Statement: 

My vision for the Southwest Region of NDEO is to build an interconnected, visible, and supportive network of dance educators that reflects our rich cultural and geographic fabric. The Southwest encompasses Indigenous social and ceremonial practices, Latin social, ballroom, and folklorico traditions, street dance, commercial styles, and concert and postsecondary programs. I welcome the opportunity to champion these voices by sharing curriculum models that integrate historically marginalized dance forms, establishing regional roundtables and mentorship initiatives across sectors, and leveraging digital spaces and drive-in workshops to support rural or under-resourced educators.

My service in dance education is rooted in community building, advocacy, and scholarship. At New Mexico State University, I direct community-centered initiatives, including guest artist series and regional showcases such as Fusión de Fronteras. I regularly share somatic and pedagogical Practice-as-Research at regional and national conferences, including the American College Dance Association and Bailando International Dance Festival. My recent NDEO service includes presenting "The House Ecosystem: Groove, Footwork, and Flow" at the 2026 National Conference in Albuquerque and serving on the NDEO Site Committee, where I curated artists for pop-up performances and the student showcase. Above all, I prioritize long-term mentorship, guiding students into professional careers and graduate programs.

With over a decade of higher education teaching and administrative experience, I approach leadership as a practice of stewardship and transparent communication. As Dance Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor at NMSU, I oversee curriculum development, budget administration, programmatic curation, and strategic visioning. My administrative trajectory includes serving as Director of Dance at Louisburg College from 2018 to 2021, alongside faculty roles at Bucknell University, Slippery Rock University, and El Paso Community College. Recently elected to the NMSU Faculty Senate for the 2026–2027 term, I lead with an empathetic, highly organized, and collaborative approach.

Effective advocacy requires deep listening and culturally responsive collaboration. Having lived and taught across distinct regions, including Philadelphia, North Carolina, Florida, and the Southwest borderlands, I understand that dance education must adapt to local community needs. Grounded in somatic practices and creative inquiry, my leadership approach prioritizes embodied awareness, active listening, and shared space-making. I bring this mindset into academic governance by fostering cross-departmental initiatives, producing interdisciplinary showcases, and establishing inclusive decision-making processes.

In my administrative appointments and Faculty Senate work focusing on curriculum and assessment, I regularly engage with board governance, policy analysis, and strategic resource allocation. At Louisburg College, I built a dance program from the ground up, recruited students from across the state, diversified curriculum, and established a touring performance ensemble. At NMSU, I have expanded regional partnerships, co-curated community initiatives, and established upcoming institutional exchanges with institutions such as the University of Montana and El Paso Community College. Currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration, I am deepening my expertise in organizational governance and systemic advocacy to serve the NDEO Board of Directors with operational effectiveness.