In the fall of 2010, I left the world of full-time professional journalism to join the faculty at The Ohio State University, and it was the best move I ever made!

I started my journalism career early, crafting my first construction paper newspaper when I was 8 and working as a photographer for my father’s horse racing photography business, getting my images published in a variety of newspapers and magazines–including the Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee, and Sports Illustrated. I began submitting freelance articles from the age of 16, the same year I left my hometown of Capitola, Calif., to head east for college.

I spent a year serving as an intern in the publicity department of the Philadelphia 76ers with the legendary Harvey Pollack before working as a reporter and editor at Montgomery Newspapers outside Philadelphia during my pursuit of a political science (journalism minor) degree at Temple University (Go Owls!).

After graduating magna cum laude from Temple, I left Montgomery Newspapers to work as press secretary for Jon D. Fox, who served as congressman for Pennsylvania’s 13th district. My husband, Brian, and I eventually headed back to California where I was Upvalley and Design editor for the Napa Valley Register as well as an award-winning special projects reporter.

In 1995, my horse racing background combined with my journalism experiences, as I was hired as associate editor of Hoof Beats magazine, published by the United States Trotting Association in Columbus, Ohio. In my 15-year tenure there, I rose to become executive editor of Hoof Beats (and led it to numerous awards, including General Excellence) as well as director of communications.

I am now a full professor of journalism practice, teaching Writing and Editing for Media, Feature Writing, and Sports Writing and Reporting. I advise the sports staff of The Lantern, Ohio State’s award-winning student media. I am also director of Ohio State’s Sports and Society Initiative and have taught courses to prepare first-year students, many of whom are student-athletes, to use technology to help navigate the academic rigor of college life.

I am also an active sports writer, covering the Columbus Blue Jackets for the Associated Press, sports media for Forbes, horseracing for the Columbus Dispatch and Harness Racing Update, and a variety of other publications. My fourth book, “Storytelling Beyond the Scoreboard,” written with Jean-Jacques Taylor, will be published in 2026.

I am grateful to have been recognized for my teaching by many organizations, of which I have the highest level of respect and admiration. They include:

• 2015, Apple Distinguished Educator
• 2016, David Adams Teacher of the Year, AEJMC Scholastic Journalism Division
• 2018, Teaching Award, AEJMC Media Ethics Division
• 2019 Teaching News Terrifically First-Place Award, AEJMC Newspaper and Online News Division
• 2020 Outstanding Woman in Journalism and Mass Communication, AEJMC Commission on the Status of Women
• 2022, Linda S. Putney Teacher Inspiration Award, Journalism Educators of America
• 2022, Ohio State Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching
• 2022, Induction into the Academy of Teaching
• 2022 Outstanding Student Engagement Certificate of Recognition, Pearson
• 2023 Career Services Award, University Career Services Committee
• 2023, Career Services Faculty Champion, ASC Career Success
• 2023 Scripps Howard Teacher of the Year

Brian, is a teacher of children with special needs in Columbus City Schools, and our son, Danny, is the director of creative design for the Maryland Terrapins Football Team.