Kristen has spent the past 24 years teaching writing, literature, and pre-college classes at her local community college. While her approach to teaching has evolved over the years, it has always been based on a strong structure designed to help her students build a foundation in critical thinking and writing that will serve them well in college and career. In addition to teaching, Kristen has spent the past two years working in degree, certificate, and program assessment for her college. In this capacity, she has learned the importance of measuring achievement through the cumulative steps in students’ higher education journey.

Leveraging her knowledge of higher education and interest in working with teenagers, Kristen has volunteered for her local high school’s ASPIRE program for the past seven years. She started by helping students build foundational writing skills and develop college application essays, and eventually provided comprehensive assistance on the college application process.

In her capacity as both a community college instructor and a college admissions consultant, Kristen meets her students where they are. She feels great satisfaction helping them succeed, whether they are completing a GED and moving forward in community college or applying to a highly selective research institute.

When working with students on their essays, Kristen asks them challenging, open-ended questions to draw out key details and help them reflect more critically on their experiences. She enjoys watching her students’ writing evolve, and she encourages them to realize their potential, both as writers and as students.

Kristen attended Washington State University (Go Cougs!) where she earned a B.A. in English/Pre-Law. She then returned to school to earn an M.A. in English at Portland State University. Kristen met her husband, a University of Oregon graduate, while windsurfing in the Columbia River Gorge, and they have been married for 22 years and have two children. Their daughter attends Gonzaga University, and their son is a junior in high school. As a family, they enjoy spending time skiing, cycling, water sports, and exploring the outdoors.