I am a professor of journalism practice but came to academia from the "real world." I spent 25 years as an award-winning reporter, editor and magazine journalist, and I also worked in public relations for professional sports (Philadelphia 76ers) and government communications (Congressional press secretary and media consultant).

I joined the Ohio State School of Communication in 2010, and my classes include Sports Media, Magazine Writing, Media Law and Ethics and Student Tech for Academic Success. My focus in teaching and research is utilizing mobile technology in journalism and education, with a focus on how student-athletes can use mobile technology to engage academically.

I am the director of the Sports and Society Initiative at Ohio State, and I work on campus and around the country teaching athletes how to use iPads for academic engagement and connectivity. I am also part of the Ohio State One Health Task Force and teach distance learning techniques in Ethiopia.

In 2019 I published my first academic book, “Always Get the Name of the Dog: A guide to media interviewing.” I am also the author of "Writing Fabulous Features," published with Pressbooks through Ohio State's Affordable Learning Exchange, and "100 Years in Harness," a pictorial history of harness racing. In 2023, Rowman & Littlefield published "Teaching Media Ethics," a book I edited with Dr. Kathleen Culver, and I also contributed chapters on student journalism and sports writing ethics. 

My latest book, "Storytelling Beyond the Scoreboard," with Ohio State alum Jean-Jacques Taylor, will be published in July 2026.

I am also an active journalist, writing for numerous magazines and covering sports—including the NHL, Ohio State basketball and horse racing—for the Associated Press and Columbus Dispatch, and sports media and business for Forbes.com.

In 2024, I was honored to be named Journalism and Communication Teacher of the Year by the Scripps-Howard Fund. In 2022, I received the Ohio State Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching and was inducted into the Ohio State Academy of Teaching. That year, I was also named the Linda S. Puntney Inspirational Teacher by the Journalism Education Association. In 2023, I was named the Faculty Champion by University Career Services for my work through Sports and Society to ensure sports-focused Ohio State students are career-ready. In 2015 I was inducted as an Apple Distinguished Educator.

In 2025, I was named a Center for Community News Champion, an award that recognizes faculty, public media professionals and news leaders from institutions large and small for their work growing university-led reporting programs in their region. 

My husband, Brian, is a third-grade teacher for children with special needs in Columbus City Schools. Our son, Danny, graduated from Ohio State in 2024 with a degree in industrial design and is the director of design and social media for the University of Maryland football team.