My Story

I was born in Seoul, South Korea to my Korean mother and Italian-American, Army serviceman father. I grew up in western Pennsylvania, loving the change in seasons (including snow), Italian and Polish food, and all things Pittsburgh sports-related. I attended Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania and graduated with a Molecular Biology degree in 2002.

I pursued a Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy at Drexel University and graduated in 2004. I picked up and moved to Tallahassee in 2004 to start my PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy at Floria State University. I earned my PhD in 2009 and continue to teach in Human Development and Family Science at FSU.

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I'm happily married and have two children and two "bonus children" with my husband, After years of educational relocations, I consider Tallahassee my home. I've grown to love sweet tea, grits, and winding canopy roads. For me, my faith in God and my family give me strength and are my greatest joys in life. I also enjoy any type of shopping, exercising, cooking, and helping my craftsman husband with his woodworking projects. I feel energized both when I get to spend time by myself and with the people I love. I really cherish what I consider the simple things of life.