I am pursuing research at the intersection of third place theory, social gaming, and digital media. My work explores how participatory media, including games, can serve as tools to counter social isolation and rebuild communal infrastructure. I am particularly interested in how games help create civic and affective “third spaces,” both online and in physical community settings. I am currently preparing writings on the role of games in physical third spaces, participatory media, and social inclusion. My broader research asks how such novel spaces can foster connection, structure, and ideological engagement beyond traditional institutions such as churches and schools.
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Ph.D., Arts Administration (completed yr. 1, transferred to professional role)
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
M.A., Art Education - Focus in Arts Administration (GPA: 3.975), April 2021
Comprehensive Exam Committee: Profs. Pat Villeneuve (chair), Amber Ward, Aaron C. Thomas
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
B.S., Psychology, Minor in Music, December 2016
Advisor: Dr. Gina O’Neal-Moffitt
Media Inclusion Affective Media
Game Studies Third Spaces
Cultural Consumption Social Gaming
Participatory Culture Instructional Design
"Level Up Your Library Card: Why Renting Video Games from Libraries is a Game-Changer" Medium. 2025.
“Teaching Notes - Developing a Framework for Student-led Resource Sharing and Discussion” (with Kathryn Mullen). Journal of Arts Management, 10(2). 2022.
“Attack on Fascism: How Shingeki no Kyojin Argues for Internationalism” (in revisions). Journal of Anime and Manga Studies.
“Three years together: Examining our Libraries’ LTI integrations in Canvas” (with Lindsey Wharton). Journal of Electronic Library Resources, 32(4). 286-303, DOI: 10.1080/1941126X.2020.1821993
Exceptional Student Arts Advocate Award, Florida Higher Education Arts Network (FHEAN), 2021
Charles M. Dorn Scholarship, Art Education, 2020
Annual Volunteer of Distinction Recognition, Monticello Opera House, 2019
Sunshine State Scholar, 2011
“Creating A Gamespace”. Florida State University Libraries. Popular Literature Committee Open Forum, February 2025.
“Transforming Library Orientation for Undergraduates: Incorporating eTextbook Affordability into Asynchronous Instruction” (with Crystal Mathews, Lindsey Wharton, & Amber-Lynne Jensen). Association of College & Research Libraries. Virtual Poster Sessions, March 2024.
“Can Everyone See My Screen?: Recommendations for Arts Organizations Navigating Hybrid Digital Engagement” (with Alaina Faulkner, Gabriela Shutt) Association of Arts Administration Educators Annual Conference, May 2022.
“Maximizing Value of Our Collections For Students: FSU Libraries’ Course Adopted eResources Program” (with Lindsey Wharton and Michael Meth). Open Educational Resources Summit 2021, Florida Virtual Campus, May 2021.
“Pivoting Assessment in Times of COVID-19: A Distance Library Services Case Study” (with Lindsey Wharton, Kirsten Kinsley, and Seol Lim). Higher Education Assessment Conference, May 2021.
“Theatre and Access: An Overview” (with Julie Wells) Social Change Symposium, Center for Leadership and Social Change, Florida State University, February 2021.
“Navigating access to the arts during crisis: A case study of the U.S. 2008 Great Recession” (with Julia Atkins, Gabriela Shutt). Arts & Cultural Management Conference, Virtual, January 2021.
“Learning Objects in Action” (with Lindsey Wharton) Association of College & Research Libraries Distance and Online Learning Section Reflections Event, Virtual, December 2020.
“Three years together: Examining our Libraries’ LTI integrations in Canvas” (with Lindsey Wharton).” presented asynchronously at the Association of College and Research Libraries Virtual Poster Session, April 2020.
“Cultural Nonprofits, Urban and Rural: An Overview”. International Programs, Florida State University - Panama City, Panama Campus, invited, February 2020.
“Careers in Arts and Cultural Nonprofits”. University of Louisville - Quality Leadership University, Panama City, Panama, invited, February 2020.
Program Designer, “Creating Connections: FSU Libraries’ International” 2023 International Education Month Symposium. Florida State University.
Project Lead, “FSU Libraries for Students”, online University-wide overhaul of library orientation for in-person and abroad students.
Program Designer, “FSU Libraries Abroad: An International Librarianship Panel” 2021 International Education Month Symposium. Florida State University.
Program Designer, “Game on: an interactive discussion between students and faculty” 2021 Critical Thinking Symposium. Florida State University, Office of the Provost. (fully developed, canceled due to COVID-19)
Program Designer, “Global to local: Your call to action”. 2019 Critical Thinking Symposium. Florida State University, Office of the Provost.
Program Designer, 2020 Virtual Summer Camp for K-12 Students, Quincy Music Theatre.
Distance and Extended Campus Library Services Specialist, May 2019 - present
Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, FL
Designed inclusive, public-facing educational content to support global access to academic resources, with emphasis on community belonging for remote and first-year students
Developed and implemented a virtual orientation program tailored to geographically displaced students, highlighting issues of digital infrastructure and physical access
Co-led redesign of library instructional tools and web materials with a focus on accessibility, usability, and community-based design
Launched a university-wide eTextbook affordability initiative saving students ~$5M, promoting open education as a form of structural equity and inclusion
Supervised cross-functional teams of student workers and recent grads, fostering leadership development in remote and in-person settings
Leadership Seminar Chair, Florida-North Chapter, July 2020 - July 2023
Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership Seminars, United States, Florida
Directed a multi-day, in-person youth leadership seminar for 130+ students annually, designed to cultivate belonging, civic engagement, and group identity
Oversaw 6 operational divisions and a team of 50+ volunteers, emphasizing ethical leadership and peer-supported community
Developed experiential learning curricula centered on personal development, service, and structured interpersonal interaction
Marketing and Programs Coordinator, June 2018 - March 2020
Monticello Opera House, Monticello, FL
Directed community-centered programming and production coordination with a focus on access, family engagement, and cultural development
Designed and executed a full-scale marketing campaign blending traditional and digital approaches to reestablish the Opera House as a physical third place for the local population
Prioritized inclusion and visibility in rural community cultural participation
Program & Communications Intern, May 2020 - December 2020
Quincy Music Theatre, Quincy, FL
Developed and launched a virtual summer camp for K–12 students in response to pandemic-related isolation, combining arts engagement with emotional connection
Conducted a community climate survey to assess access barriers and program perception, presenting actionable results to the Board
Collaborated with staff to translate arts-based programming into a participatory, educational space for youth and families
Membership & Archives Specialist, Oct 2017 - June 2018
The Florida Bar, Tallahassee, FL
Processed, maintained, and corrected data, finances, and member services request for Bar-licensed attorneys
Coordinated with IT to solve web service errors, resolve account security issues, and ensure legal compliance.
Department of Arts Administration Teaching Assistant, July 2021 - June 2022
University of Kentucky, Department of Arts Administration, Lexington, KY
Assist in designing curriculum for the AAD150 ‘Arts in Action’, AAD 475 ‘Managing your Artistic Career’, and AAD 425 ‘Arts Advocacy’ undergraduate and graduate courses.
Lead instruction of in-person coursework while maintaining a strong digital presence in the Learning Management System.
Distance & International Research Consultations, May 2019 - present
Florida State University, University Libraries, Tallahassee, FL
Performed regular reference services and research consultations for ~20 walk-in undergraduates.
Co-taught section of ‘Engage 100’ undergraduate library information course.
Advised ~15 students per semester in the Leadership Certificate program for undergraduate research projects.
Taught synchronous and asynchronous critical information literacy sessions for over 50 undergraduate course sections
Behavior Analyst & Learning Strategies Coordinator, December 2016 - June 2017
Leon High School, Tallahassee, FL
Developed educational intervention plans and implemented short- and long-term learning goals for students with behavioral issues.
Reviewer, Association of Arts Administration Educators, 2022 Conference Planning Committee
Member, Florida State University Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee, Spring 2022 - Present
Guest Speaker, Connecticut Leadership Foundation - Connecticut, Summer 2021
Reviewer, 2021 Florida Undergraduate Research Conference, December 2020 - January 2021
Member, Association of Arts Administration Educators, 2021 Conference Planning Committee
Member, Florida State University Critical Thinking Symposium Planning Committee, Fall 2019 - Fall 2020
Member, Florida State University Libraries User Experience & Accessibility Group, Fall 2019 - Spring 2021
Member, Florida State University Libraries Instruction Special Interest Taskforce, Fall 2020 - present
Member, Florida State University Critical Thinking Symposium Planning Committee, Fall 2019 - Spring 2020
Member, Florida State University Libraries Web Advisory Group, Summer 2019 - Fall 2021
Digital Games Research Association (DiGRA), Member
Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE), Member
Electronic Literature Organization (ELO), Member
National Art Education Association (NAEA), Fmr. Member
American Library Association (ALA), Fmr. Member
The Learning Guild (TLG), Member
Jensen, A. Letter of Recommendation, 2025
Peterson, J. Letter of Recommendation, 2023
Jensen, A. Direct supervisor. 2022-2025
Faulkner, A. Letter of Recommendation, 2022
Faulkner, A. Direct supervisor. 2021-2022
Phillips, M. Direct supervisor. 2021-2022
Brooks, E. Letter of Recommendation, 2021
Roddenberry, A. Letter of Recommendation, 2020
Talley, F. Letter of Recommendation, 2020
Wainwright, L. Letter of Recommendation, 2016
Communications & Psychology
SOP3004: Social Psychology (FSU)
PPE3003: Psychology of Personality (FSU)
PSY4930: Social Neuroscience (FSU)
ARE5253: Arts & Community Engagement (FSU)
TPA5409: Arts Marketing (FSU)
AAD665: Creative Cities, Placemaking, & Community Vibrancy (UKY)
Computer Science, Digital Media & Games
EME 5614:Design of Learning Games (FSU)
COP3014: Programming (C++) (FSU)
COP3353: Introduction to UNIX (FSU)
COP3330: Data, Algorithms, & Programming I (FSU)
MUS2360: Music Technology (FSU)
Education
EME5601: Introduction to Instructional Systems (FSU)
ARE5245: Educational Program Development (FSU)
Research & Statistics
EPE 557: Gathering, Using and Analyzing Educational Data I (UKY)
EPE 619: Survey Research (UKY)
STA2122: Intro to Applied Statistics (FSU)
PSY3213C: Research Methods w/ Lab (FSU)
ARE5745: Research Survey (FSU)
ARE5641: Critical Analysis (FSU)