Economic Development Specialist, Economic & Community Development

I joined the SPCE team in December 2022 as an Economic Development Specialist, to provide managerial oversight and technical support for SPCE’s economic and community development projects and initiatives. I am excited to advance inclusive economic and community development in the local community in this new role.

I received a BA in History from the University of North Georgia in 2015. From there, I completed an MA in Public History at West Virginia University in 2017. I served as an AmeriCorps member at a small non-profit that preserves and interprets the history of a New Deal-era planned community in rural West Virginia for one year, prior to coming to JMU. This experience was deeply impactful and clarified that my professional interests lie in serving the public and enhancing communities. I joined JMU in July 2018 and worked in various capacities in University Advancement for four years. I’ll complete my Master of Public Administration from JMU in summer 2023. My experiences in non-profit organizations, local government, and higher education have helped me develop a collaborative approach to public service, which I believe to be important and noble work.

While my commitment to my work is strong, I deeply value work-life balance. I’m an avid reader and often unwind at the gym or with yoga at home. In our downtime, my husband and I are typically cooking at home, listening to our record collection, hiking with our dog, taking in live music, and just enjoying all the Shenandoah Valley has to offer.