Since 2008 I have been an Assistant Professor of Spanish and Applied Linguistics in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at Illinois State University.

I received my M.A. and Ph.D. in Hispanic Linguistics from the University of Minnesota. I also have an M.Ed. in Education (Minnesota) and a B.A. in Anthropology (University of Arizona). My teaching experience includes Spanish as Foreign Language, English as a Second Language, and Linguistics and Applied Linguistics courses. At ISU, I teach courses in Spanish Language, Spanish Linguistics, and Applied Linguistics.

My research focuses on second language acquisition, second language pragmatics, discourse analysis, and language and culture learning during study abroad.

A Daily Vidette article about winning the ACTFL-MLJ Pimsleur Award for Research in Foreign Language Education for my 2010 article in Foreign Language Annals.