I grew up in Long Beach, California, the oldest of 11 children, graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in English, and worked for 12 years in UC San Francisco's School of Nursing Student Affairs Office. In 1986, I moved back to Southern California (to Long Beach, again), and began working at UC Irvine in the Academic Senate Office. This job was a most interesting and valuable experience, but I missed working with students. So in May 1989, I began my current job as Honors Advisor to the students in the Campuswide Honors Program (CHP) and have been here ever since.

Being advisor to the students in this program has been and continues to be a privilege, a challenge, and a joy! My goal has always been to make the UCI experience personal, accessible, comprehensive, and (hopefully) successful for each and every CHP student. I have been richly blessed with wonderful memories and a continually growing circle of friends and colleagues, many of whom are our honors students and alumni!

Outside of work I have 4 grown children (Christy, Sandor, Zachary & Jessica). The youngest, Jessica, is now 25 and will graduate from Cal State Fullerton this coming spring. My two oldest are married to wonderful people, and I now have 2 beautiful grandchildren. Ella was 2 years old last May, and is expecting (along with her parents, Christy & Stan) a little brother in January. They, and my son Zachary, live near Atlanta, GA. Donovan just turned 1 year old this past July and lives with his parents, Sandor & Faith, in Cypress, CA. Besides my wonderful family and friends, my hobbies/interests include singing with and directing my church choir; working with the Confirmation program at church; horseback riding; reading; Toastmasters; gardening; walking, hiking & camping; travel; yoga; country western line dancing; and babies of all kinds.

Welcome to UCI and the CHP! I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you!