Amanda is a visiting assistant professor in the Department of Educational Policy and Leadership Studies. She completed her PhD in May 2018 from the University of Iowa in the Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) Program. Her research centers on traditionally and historically minoritized college students by examining questions of their development, experiences, and outcomes in higher education. Much of her present research exists at the intersection of students’ sexual identity (e.g., asexual, bisexual, lesbian, gay) development and campus contexts. While researching asexuality, she was surprised to see how the study itself was an intervention as soliciting participants provided some students with their first awareness of asexuality as an identity and provided language for them to describe their experiences. She engages research focused on eliciting systemic and individual transformation in higher education. With nearly a decade of prior student affairs experience, her work makes tangible connections to institutional policies, practices, and services focused on improving educational experiences for all students.

As someone who self-identifies as “fromless” (moving frequently during childhood), Amanda is proud to claim Iowa as her current home. She is appreciative of the mentorship and friendship from Jodi Linley, her dissertation chair, as well as her other HESA colleagues. Beyond her academic roles, Amanda spends time with her puppy, Jerry, or experimenting with the newest Pinterest craft or food project.