My commitment to service, leadership qualities, academic performance, and extra-curricular activities have led to some awards. As an undergraduate at TU employed outside of the university up to 20 hours per week, I worked to pay my way through school, eventually culminating in an extensive education that spans four countries. I have coordinated, led, and volunteered for more than 2,000 hours with more than 14 different organizations, resulting in the University of Tulsa Scholarship and Leadership Award, the Oxley Foundation Scholarship, and the Tulsa Action Group Community Service Award. The latter award is given annually to five people in the City of Tulsa, Oklahoma, for demonstrating a commitment to philanthropy. The Mayor of Tulsa and the Lieutenant Governor of the State have recognized my commitment to service. I made time for community service, despite the pressure to earn income to pay for the cost of school; as I sought to give back to my community. Subsequently, I served as the TU Kappa Sigma Philanthropy Chairman for three consecutive years, as a representative in TU’s Hall Government, as a Student Senator, and as the Executive Manager of the Student Association President’s Cabinet my Senior year. My commitment to service is also demonstrated through my international voluntary work, which includes environmental work in Holland, at two Buddhist monasteries, and work on campaigns in Italy and Ireland to increase awareness of human rights issues, alongside the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Campaign 1998. As a mentor, I know that the practice of mentoring optimizes students, subordinates, peers, and management of teams. It forwards an organization’s mission and vision. It gets people to where they want in life. One of the most imaginative ways of doing this is through the dream biography, where a student, client, or employee imagines their life as if it had already been lived. In this regard, mentoring is a two-way process of setting goals, moving contemplatively through blocks (internal or external), identifying strategies and action steps, and being held accountable. Interdisciplinary learning has created a valuable experience for me and offers new ways of seeing and being in the world, based on a simple love of learning. What goal could be more laudable? Whether I am conducting research, teaching, or involved in a community service project, the goal is to help the people who want to change the world. My style is to apply knowledge to real world issues, drawing on a range of personal and professional experiences that allow me to contribute through my work. Collectively, these experiences show my passion as a scholar, teacher, and as an interdisciplinary practitioner. As someone deeply committed to interdisciplinary learning, and as a person committed to contemplative practice in my life, I seek to continually develop personally and professionally for the benefit of my community.

Public Service Awards

  • Oklahoma Community Service Award, presented by Lt. Governor Mary Fallin, 1994
  • City of Tulsa, OK, Community Service Award, presented by Mayor Susan Savage, 1994
  • Tulsa Action Group Community Service Award, Tulsa, OK, 1994
Community Service Date
Fire & Grit: Orion Society Conference Volunteer
07/1999
Amnesty International, Dublin, Ireland
12/1998
Volunteers for Peace Holland and Italy
06/1998
Rotary Youth Leadership Award Counselor
04/1998
Safari Wildlife Sanctuary Volunteer
03/1998
Dhanakosha Buddhist Monastery, Scotland
12/1997
Kendall Whittier Heritage Day Volunteer
09/1997
Kappa Sigma Philanthropy Chairman
08/1997
United Way Planning Committee
08/1997
Kappa Sigma Philanthropy Chairman
08/1995
Habitat for Humanity Volunteer
08/1995 to 08/1997
American Association of the Deaf and Blind Volunteer
05/1995
Founder of University of Tulsa Christmas for Kids
12/1994
Downtown Tulsa Unlimited Volunteer
10/1994
Kappa Sigma Philanthropy Chairman
08/1994
Farbes Social Outreach Services Volunteer
08/1994
Tulsa Action Group Volunteer
06/1994
Tulsa Community College Volunteer for the Disabled
01/1993
Volunteering · 1983 to present
  • OK Watchdog for Consumer and Patient Safety
    2008 to 2012
    Board Member, Oklahoma Watchdog for consumer and patient safety 2008 – 2012
  • Harbour Square Conservation and Recycling Committee
    2007 to 2008
    Chairman of the Harbour Square Conservation and Recycling Committee, Washington D.C. 2007-2008
  • Fire & Grit: Orion Society Conference Volunteer
    In Jul 1999
    Conference held at the National Conservation Training Center
  • Amnesty International, Dublin, Ireland
    Sep 1998 to Dec 1998
    Amnesty International, Dublin, Ireland (Fall 1998) Assisted with the coordination of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Campaign in Dublin. Disseminated information on human rights issues.Developed human rights educational materials. Collected petition signatures. Assisted with media event for Declaration of Human Rights Campaign.
  • Ancona Human Rights & Freedom Festival, Italy
    Jul 1998 to Aug 1998
    Volunteers for Peace (Summer of 1998) Voluntary organizer of the Ancona Human Rights & Freedom Festival, Ancona, Italy
  • Cromstrijen Habitat Restoration Project, Numansdorp, Holland
    May 1998 to Jun 1998
    Volunteers for Peace (Summer 1998) Volunteer for the Cromstrijen Habitat Restoration Project, Numansdorp, Holland
  • Rotary Youth Leadership Award CounselorwithHugh M. Robert and Trista Caldwell
    In Apr 1998
  • Safari Wildlife Sanctuary Volunteer & Fundraiser
    In Mar 1998
  • Tara Buddhist Monastery
    In 1998
    Volunteer at the Tara Buddhist Monastery, Etwall, England
  • Kendall Whittier Heritage Day Volunteer
    In Sep 1997
  • Dhanakosha Buddhist Monastery, Scotland
    Jan 1997 to Feb 1997
    International Volunteer (Winter of 1997) Dhanakosha Buddhist Monastery, Scotland
  • Habitat for Humanity Volunteer
    Aug 1994 to Aug 1996
  • Kappa Sigma Fraternity Philanthropy Chairman
    1994 to 1996
  • American Association of the Deaf and Blind Volunteer
    In May 1995
  • Creator Operation Rudolph Christmas for Kids TU
    In Dec 1994
  • Downtown Tulsa Unlimited Volunteer Safe Halloween
    In Oct 1994
  • Farbes Social Outreach Services Volunteer
    In Aug 1994
  • Tulsa Action Group for the Homeless Volunteer
    In Jun 1994
  • Tulsa Community College Volunteer for the Disabled
    Jan 1993 to May 1993
International Service: Amnesty International, Dublin, Ireland (Fall 1998)
  • Assisted with the coordination of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Campaign in Dublin.
  • Disseminated information on human rights issues. Developed human rights educational materials.
  • Collected petition signatures. Assisted with media event for Declaration of Human Rights Campaign.
  Volunteers for Peace (Summer & Fall of 1998)
  • Voluntary organizer of the Ancona Human Rights & Freedom Festival, Ancona, Italy;
  • Volunteer for the Cromstrijen Habitat Restoration Project, Numansdorp, Holland; and
  • Volunteer at the Tara Buddhist Monastery, Etwall, England
  International Volunteer (Winter of 1997)
  • Dhanakosha Buddhist Monastery, Scotland
International Volunteer – Fall of 1998

Amnesty International, Dublin, Ireland

  • Assisted with the coordination of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Campaign in Dublin.
  • Disseminated information on human rights issues.
  • Developed human rights educational materials.
  • Collected petition signatures.
  • Assisted with the preparation of a media event in support of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Campaign.
International Voluntary Work: International Volunteer – Fall of 1998

Amnesty International, Dublin, Ireland

  • Assisted with the coordination of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Campaign in Dublin.
  • Disseminated information on human rights issues.
  • Developed human rights educational materials.
  • Collected petition signatures.
  • Assisted with the preparation of a media event in support of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Campaign.

International Volunteer – Summer of 1998

Volunteers for Peace, Holland & Italy

  • Voluntary organiser of the Ancona Human Rights & Freedom Festival; Ancona, Italy. Assisted in a teamwork environment with the organization and oversight of the festival. Disseminated public outreach and education materials and explained human rights issues to increase the awareness of Indonesian human rights violations in East Timor with a group of international volunteers.
  • Volunteer in the Cromstrijen Habitat Restoration Project, Numansdorp, Holland
Volunteered to restore habitat on the Hollandasch Diep. Assisted in a teamwork environment with a group of international volunteers from Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Holland, France, Sweden, and Ireland. International Volunteer – Summer of 1998 Tara Buddhist Monastery Volunteer, Etwall, England International Volunteer – Winter of 1997 Dhanakosha Buddhist Monastery, Scotland

U.S. Voluntary Work:

Fire & Grit: Orion Society Conference Volunteer: 1 week summer 1999

National Conservation Training Center Shepherdstown, West Virginia
  • Assisted with organization of the conference.
Rotary Youth Leadership Award Counselor: 1 week spring of 1998

Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas District Rotary

Tahlequah, Oklahoma

  • Led a group of 10 high school students during the RYLA Camp.
  • Conducted leadership development programs.
  • Ropes course guide.
  • Coordinated group activities.
  • Led discussions on leadership development.
Kappa Sigma Philanthropy Chairman: 1994-1998

University of Tulsa, Oklahoma

  • Planned and coordinated philanthropic efforts for 3 years.
Founder of Christmas for Kids: 1994 University of Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • Chairman and coordinator of the event.
  • Raised $22,000 in 2.5 months while attending school full-time and working 20 hours per week.
  • Provided over 600 less-fortunate children with gifts, food, and entertainment.
  • Planned, coordinated, wrote proposals, raised funds, developed corporate partnerships, recruited volunteers, developed the media campaign and public relations materials, and coordinated the attendance of congressional representatives & local politicians.
      United Way Planning Committee: 1997 & 1998

University of Tulsa, Oklahoma

  • Assisted with the co-ordination and planning of fundraising activities for the annual United Way Campaign at the University of Tulsa.
  Safari Wildlife Sanctuary Volunteer: 1998

Tulsa, Oklahoma

  • Raised $1,500.00 for the wildlife sanctuary which houses lions, tigers, boas, rare birds, etc., abandoned by irresponsible illegal importers/buyers.
  Habitat for Humanity Volunteer (3 years) 1995-1997 Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • Assisted with land preparation work for new homes that would eventually be provided to disadvantaged families.
Kendall Whittier Heritage Day Volunteer: Fall of 1997

Tulsa, Oklahoma

  • Assisted in the planning and coordination of the annual event held by the University of Tulsa for the Kendall Whittier Elementary School.
  • Coordinated 10 volunteers.
American Association of the Deaf and Blind: Spring 1995 Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • Assisted the deaf and blind during their annual convention which was held at the University of Tulsa.
  Downtown Tulsa Unlimited: 1994-1995 Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • Volunteered and co-ordinated a group of 25 volunteers over a two year period for the Public Service of Oklahoma Christmas Parade of Lights and A Safe Halloween on the Mall in Downtown Tulsa.
  Farbes Social Outreach Services Volunteer: 1994 Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • Raised funds and assisted with the organisation’s outreach efforts.
  Tulsa Action Group Volunteer: 1994-1997 Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • Raised funds, promoted, organized and assisted with event planning and community outreach programs to raise awareness about homelessness in the Tulsa County area.
  Tulsa Community College Volunteer for the Disabled: 1993 Tulsa, Oklahoma Assisted a severely disabled student by acting as a mentor and tutor.  Assisted Tonya Malloy with taking class notes, preparing written assignments, studying prior to examines, and with mid-term and final examinations.