Hometown:   
Omaha, Nebraska

Position:  
Associate Professor, Paralegal Studies Program Director

Joined CSM:
1992 (adjunct); 1999 (full-time faculty)

How do you think the CSM environment encourages students?
I tell prospective students that CSM is a happy place to learn. The campus is welcoming and the faculty & staff are truly interested in helping each student reach their potential. We make an effort to fulfill our mission of educating women in everything we do and I think it shows. If a student is looking for excellent academics in a supportive environment this is the place to be.

In what ways do you think your “life experiences” make you a better teacher?
I am the youngest of four children and I grew with a large extended family. I have a great sense of community with my family and that is helpful when I work with students to build a sense of belonging in the classroom.

I also graduated from an all-girls high school and that influences my approach to teaching. The learning environment is different when it is all women and my high school days were some of the best times I had as a student. I try to recreate those experiences in my classroom so that my students will be engaged and participate to the fullest extent possible.

In addition, I was a competitive tennis player and played on my college team. My older brother was a nationally-ranked player and I thought it would be more fun to be on the court rather than a spectator. Participating in athletics taught me to strive for excellence and that hard work is a part of most success. Tennis is primarily an individual sport so learning to be part of a team was also a good experience. My athletic participation was in the early days of Title IX. It is wonderful to see how far women’s athletics has come in recent years, and I enjoy following CSM’s athletic teams.

What is the most rewarding thing about teaching at CSM?
One of the best things about CSM is that we get to know our students well and they tend to keep in contact after they complete their degree. I enjoy hearing from graduates as they move on to a new stage in their lives, and I know that they are well-prepared for whatever path they choose to take.

Can you tell us a little about the endowed scholarship you created at CSM and why you chose to do this?
I created an endowed scholarship for paralegal students in memory of my mother, Mary Schwertley Brown. She passed away in December 2008 after a brief illness and I wanted to honor her in a special way. She was a high school teacher for many years and a true champion of the value of a college education. It was my pleasure to award the first two scholarships from the endowment in May 2010. I really like the fact that my donation is invested and will continue to provide financial support for years to come.