Doctoral Student in Design and Planning

Dissertation Topic: Exploring Childhood Attachments to Natural and Outdoor Play Environments (emphasis on ethnographic and innovative mixed-methods, schoolyard environments and behaviors, community attachment, place attachment, benefits of access to the natural world, and children & youth)

Advisor:  Dr. Louise Chawla

Committee Members:  Dr. Joseph Juhasz, Dr. Austin Allen, Dr. Jeremy Nemeth

Anticipated Graduation Date:  May, 2010    (Will be ABD as of May 2009)

Fall 2000- Summer 2005           University of Colorado at Denver             Denver, CO

Master of Landscape Architecture

Master of Urban and Regional Planning

Thesis Topic: Perceptions of Risk In Denver Public Elementary School Playgrounds: Multi-Methods Research Strategy & Design

Advisor:  Dr. Joseph Juhasz

Committee Members:  Dr. Raymond Studer, Associate Professor Ann Komara, Professor Lois A. Brink

Fall 1985 – Winter 1993          Pennsylvania State University                  University Park, PA

Bachelor of Science General Arts and Sciences

§   Landscape Architecture and Engineering Science emphasis

§   University Scholar, graduated with Honors