As an early student, I found my purpose in a California Community College. I transferred to a California State University and earned my Bachelor’s in Communication, then a Master’s degree in Education. I continued with my Ph.D. in Leadership with a specialization in Instructional Technology.

I have worked as an instructional design professional in private industry, for the Department of Defense, and for the community college and state university systems. I am now an Assistant Professor for San José State University, where I also serve as the Program Coordinator for the Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology (MSIDT) program.

My research focuses on the intersection of educational technology, professional collaboration, and organizational dynamics in higher education contexts. Specifically, I investigate how emerging technologies like generative artificial intelligence tools impact the social capital and collaborative relationships between educational professionals, with emphasis on faculty-instructional designer partnerships. My work combines organizational psychology theories (social capital, professional credibility, technology leadership) with practical educational technology implementation to understand how technological mediators affect workplace relationships and collaboration effectiveness. This research encompasses both the immediate impacts of technology integration on professional dynamics and the longer-term implications for institutional policy, professional development, and the sustainability of human expertise in increasingly AI-enhanced educational environments. My approach bridges empirical investigation with real-world practice, drawing from my experience as a practicing instructional designer to inform research questions that address pressing challenges in higher education’s technological transformation.