*

*

*

VITALS

White/Caucasian

Heterosexual Male

Middle-Class

Born in the 1980’s

Zen Buddhist, Agnostic

American: born and raised in Iowa

Full-time worker, part-time student

*

THINGS ABOUT WHICH I GIVE A HOOT

An end to racist, sexist (including heterosexist), and class-based oppression

Independent media and informed public discourse

Peaceful co-existence among different cultures and “nations”

Living simply and minimizing one’s carbon footprint

Basic literacy, as well as information and media literacy

Organizing for social change

*

OTHER INTERESTS

Women’s and girls’ athletics

Community theater

Books, usually non-fiction (social sciences, politics, philosophy and religion)

State and local history

Constitutional and human rights law

*

PROPER LEARNIN’

M.S. – Non-Profit Management, Capella University (expected 2012)

M.S. – Adult Education, Capella University (2009)

B.A. – Philosophy & Social Consciousness
w/minor in Women’s Studies, Buena Vista University (2007)

Research Interests: prison education, transformative learning, critical thinking, information/media literacy, critical pedagogy, activism training, civil disobedience, non-violent resistance, engaged Buddhism, and liberation theology.

**

WAYS I USED TO WORK IT

Resident Advisor

Career Advisor

Wellness Educator

Assembly Technician

Academic Assistant

Student Services Intern

Residence Life Intern

Fast Food Cook/Cashier

Lawn Care Specialist (ha!)

Rape Victim Advocate

*

POP CULTURE

Music: I generally split my interest among two camps – female indie pop, folk, and jazz singer-songwriters (Fiona Apple, Regina Spektor, Ingrid Michaelson, Norah Jones); and 90’s grunge and alternative rock (Nine Inch Nails, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Rage Against the Machine, Radiohead). Generally, to be singled out as a favorite of mine, within those two categories or without, a band or musician must create something that is artistically and politically significant – Rage Against the Machine currently claims the top spot.

Film: Ugh, I used to be such a movie buff. But at some point I just got sick of it all (for the better, I suppose). A few favorites off the top of my head – V for Vendetta (probably my all-time favorite), Amelie, Dr. Strangelove, Fargo, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, Cloverfield, The Life of David Gale, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Babel, Memento, The Graduate, and Airplane. I prefer documentaries – anything by the Media Education Foundation or ThinkFilm.

Television: I’m Gen Y all around, so I rely on the internet for videos – news, opinion, entertainment, and educational materials. If I do watch TV, it’s Family Guy, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, South Park, or Saturday Night Live.

*

SKELETONS

Committed a non-violent sexual offense in college, went to court, and did time
(details here and here)

Left my ex-fiance two months shy of our wedding
(details here)