Heather is the Assistant Director of Academic Services for Graduate Programs in the Department of Communication at the University of Washington, and has worked in higher education student development since 1998. She continually strives to improve the student experience through technology, relationship building, and meeting students where they are to help them get where they need to be. Heather has experience at public and private universities and community colleges, including Western Washington University, Central Washington University, Seattle University, and North Seattle Community College.

She received a BA in English and MIT in Secondary Education from Western Washington University, and an MA in Student Development Administration from Seattle University. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Social and Cultural Foundations of Education at the UW College of Education, focusing on the legal history of American colleges and universities. Her research presentations have included "New Student Orientations and Adult Learners: Making Content Relevant" at the ACPA Annual Convention in 2008, "Intrusive Advising" at the Washington Academic Advising Coalition Conference in 2009, "Purpose in Context: Writing Your Philosophy of Education" at the NASPA Western Regional Conference in 2013, "The American University and Relational Autonomy: From In Loco Parentis to Facilitator of Autonomy Competence" at the NASPA Western Regional Conference in 2016, "Affirmative Action in College Admissions: A Rawlsian Philosophical Analysis" at the UW College of Education Research & Inquiry Conference in 2017, and "Sticks and Stones? The Ethical Implications of Campus Speech Codes" at the ASHE Conference in 2019.

In her free time, Heather enjoys reading sci-fi or fantasy novels (preferably in a cozy coffee shop), catching the latest action movie on opening night, and taking weekend trips around the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Ryan. She has also been known to sing some wicked karaoke, and makes delicious vegetarian enchiladas. You can find her at every Husky Football home game in the Fall (Go Dawgs!), and at every day of Emerald City Comicon in the Spring.

Photo Credit: www.StudioBportraits.com