Meet Your OVC Colleagues: Summer 2024

Administrative Assistant
MIT Navy ROTC

My role: As the sole civilian employee in the office, I serve as the liaison between MIT and the Navy ROTC Program, assisting NROTC students and our government staff/military officers with all administrative tasks related to MIT.
Years at MIT: 4.5 in September!
Music or musicians/bands/groups you love: I am an Aerosmith super fan! #bluearmy
Dream vacation spots: Ireland, France, Greece, Italy, the Caribbean.
Proudest moments in my life: My oldest son will be returning to Ireland to complete his Diploma in Gaelic Language at the University College of Galway, reprising his role as guest snare drummer with the Athlone Bagpipe Band. My youngest received his Wings of Gold as a Naval Aviator in 2022; has twice been deployed overseas; and recently married the ballerina of his dreams in a ceremony which included the traditional Navy sword arch.
On the weekends, I love to: Ride my Peloton bike, and walk the local beaches!
Favorite dessert or treats: Dark chocolate!

Associate Dean – Advising & Student Belonging
Undergraduate Advising Center

My role: I provide support, leadership, and strategic direction to my exceptional team in designing high-impact programs and initiatives that offer personalized support to FLI and transfer students, while delivering a premier leadership peer mentoring experience through the associate advisor program, all aimed at cultivating long-lasting skills and strategies for thriving at MIT.
Years at MIT : 1!
Last great book I read: Midnight Library by Matt Haig or Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett.
Favorite food or cuisine: Rasta Pasta (a NYC specialty) or Catfish & Grits! Yum!
Proudest moment in my life: Completing (read: surviving) my cognitive neuroscience degree from Harvard.
First job: Ice Cream Scooper at Cold Stone Creamery!
On the weekends, I love to: Run the Charles and go to brunch! (Balance).

Associate Director and Senior Lecturer
Terrascope

My role: I develop and teach classes, advise students, support the Terrascope community, and help shape the direction of the program; I also collaborate with people in units across MIT and in other institutions.
Years at MIT: 22 with Terrascope, but in the distant past I was a graduate student here for 6 years, and a post-doc for 1.
Last great book I read: How to Start a Fire, by Lisa Lutz
Favorite movie: So many, but a new one I’m excited about is “Srikanth,” a biopic about a Terrascope alum.
First job: Dishwasher and bus boy at the Silver Dollar Restaurant and Plugged Nickel Café in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
On the weekends, I love to: Walk in the woods and play board and card games with friends and family.
If I won the lottery, I would: Be very surprised, because I don’t play the lottery.

Assistant Director of Career Advising & Training
Career Advising & Professional Development

My role: I support all students on their career and professional development journey (I am the “Planet Fitness” of career development; I am a judgment-free zone).
Years at MIT: About 5.75 years!
Favorite hobbies or DIY projects: Crochet, origami, baking, and lots and lots of LEGO.
Last great book I read: 4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman.
Best Halloween costume I’ve ever had: Went as a living version of René Magritte’s painting “The Son of Man.”
Favorite dessert or treats: Anything involving ice cream…and not just on warm days.