“One cannot not communicate…”

This quote from Paul Watzlawick is shared in most introduction to communication courses. When I learned it in my first year of college, it sparked my lifelong passion for understanding what it means to really communicate.

I grew up in San Diego and, while it was beautiful and sunny, I also knew I wanted to experience things outside my comfort zone. That began when I attended a university in Chicago and discovered the complexity of a diverse city and new ideas. My curiosity took me to India, where I spent a semester at a small, private university and tested my abilities to interact cross-culturally. After graduating, I visited Scandinavia to explore indigenous storytelling practices and attend my first academic conference. My journey continued with a move to Seattle and multiple roles in the nonprofit industry. In each place I confronted my own misconceptions. I pushed my limits, and was then pushed even further by the challenges I faced. Eventually I realized that my love for learning translated well to teaching others. And so began my journey into academia.