I grew up in Southeast Austin, Texas, and my worldview was profoundly shaped by my experiences at A.S. Johnston High School (this was my “home” school but I was also part of the first class of the Liberal Arts Academy at JHS) on Austin’s East Side, where I was lucky to be surrounded by a diverse and engaged student body and committed faculty. After graduating, I spent two years at Barnard College before returning to Austin to attend the University of Texas at Austin and earn a degree in Latin American Studies with a concentration in Government. After graduation, Brian and I headed to Chapel Hill, where I completed advanced degrees (M.A. and Ph.D.) in Political Science. In the process of completing those degrees, we spent over two years living in Coyoacan, Mixcoac, and La Condesa in Mexico City. Brian and I still think of Mexico City as our second home.
In the rare moments I’m not working or spending time with family, I read mysteries & urban fantasy novels, watch live stand-up comedy, or continue my quest to find a decent plate of chilaquiles verdes con pollo. Brian and I used to have a dog and three cats. Mance was named after Texas blues legend Mance Lipscomb. Pannonica was named after a patron of Thelonius Monk. Doyle and Syeeda were also members of our family.
