Describe your work before Carleton and your transition into the Carleton community.
I worked in philanthropy, non-profit, and international and community development.
What excites you about transitioning to work with students at Carleton?
More than any other period in my life, my time as a student was when I was most active and most inspired. This is perhaps the biggest reason why working with students is exciting for me, especially within a liberal arts environment where students approach issue resolution in a multidimensional way, searching for intersectionality and a broader understanding. The innovation and the critical thinking that is derived from such an approach is immensely important as students come to terms with their values and their positionality in the dynamics of power and privilege in our world.
What is the role of the CCCE in community development and how can it improve to better impact Northfield and beyond?
Most importantly, the CCCE has spent years developing deep and strong partnerships with community organizations which allows the center to gauge community need and work in solidarity. Such connections, when combined with Carleton’s wealth of resources and engaged students can make a real difference. Looking forward, the CCCE should seek to amplify system change capabilities by nurturing and cultivating partnerships in priority areas such as education, environment, and challenges around peace and migration in Northfield and globally.
How do you approach your role in the CCCE? As an educator or a leader? Or both?
I did not approach this job as necessarily just an educator or just a leader, rather I felt I had a lot to share and much to learn. In my current role I feel more like a facilitator and connector. Having lived in different cultures and worked in different sectors I am able to connect these different areas and help the CCCE lengthen its reach. We have the resources to go beyond reflection in the classroom to engage students with global issues inside and outside the Northfield community.