I was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota but I grew up in Canada. Living in Thunder Bay, Ontario for 26 years, I completed all of my schooling in Canada and graduated from Lakehead University with a Master's degree in psychology in 1996. After graduation, I worked as a psychometrist, providing psychological assessment and treatment services to kids, teens, and families for 7.5 years. In 2003, I moved back to the Minneapolis area. Since 2005, I have been faculty at Minneapolis Community and Technical College.
In 2009, I began reviewing research on cognitive and psychological factors related to student success. Ultimately, I decided to put my classroom experience, previous clinical experience, and review of the research together into the Psychological Keys to Student Success. My second book, Studying vs. Learning: The Psychology of Student Success, revises the Keys and adds sections on learning and psychological skills.
As cliche and "geeky" as it may sound, I genuinely believe that a day spent helping others is a day well spent. It is a pleasure teaching students as they complete their education and supporting them as they pursue their goals.