Growing up in the majestic Lowcountry of South Carolina, I learned to appreciate the rich traditions, unique personalities, and the potential of true diversity. While I earned an undergraduate degree in English from Charleston Southern University, I worked full-time (and sometimes, more) at a community newspaper in my hometown of Walterboro, S.C., which is located between Charleston and Savannah. I enjoyed four rewarding years of working as a writer, photographer, page designer, and managing editor.

My graduate studies were at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where I worked first as a teaching assistant on the copy desk at the Columbia Missourian and then for an introductory design class. I hope to remain an advocate for good stories, whether as a visual journalist or in newsroom management.