Where are you from?

I am originally from Indio, CA, but I grew up in the City of San Joaquin, CA and later resided in Merced, CA.

What were you doing before you came to Ford?

I was working as a project manager for the Office of Community and Economic Development at Fresno State trying to advance different policy areas to uplift rural communities in the San Joaquin Valley.  I was also serving as a school board member on the Merced City School District’s Board of Trustees.    

Why did you choose Ford?

I chose Ford not only because of the excellence of the program, but because of its sense of community.  I felt it whenever I spoke to Fordies and staff when I was considering graduate school programs.  The Ford community made me feel at ease and at home here at U of M.

What do you want to do with your Ford degree?

I hope to combine the skills from my MPP with that of my MBA that I am pursuing at Ross to work in economic development and business policy back in California.