I was born in Wisconsin and received my B.A. in history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After graduation I spent a year serving with the AmeriCorps VISTA program in Saint Paul, Minnesota where I worked at the Rondo Community Outreach Library as the coordinator for the children and young adult reading program. I received my Ph.D. in history from Michigan State University in 2017. In my free time I enjoy running, playing soccer, riding my bike, and hiking around the Midwest. My research engages in discussion of the past related power dynamics, the influence of the environment, and the relationship between the early United States Republic and Great Lakes American Indian Nations. More about my dissertation can be found here while information about my recent and ongoing research projects can be found here.