Q: What is the most important room in your home? A: The most important room in my home is the living room. It is the center of the home, where we gather. It represents relaxation, happiness, family time, games, fun and joy. My favorite room and the most important room in my heart.
Q: What did you want to be when you were small? A: Ironically, I wanted to be a doctor. A medical doctor. It was a profession that stood in great regard in my hometown community and served a need to heal those with ailments. As I moved through my undergrad years as a biology major, I realized that I did not have the heart for medical practice and preferred to work with people outside of healthcare. Obtaining my doctoral degree in educational leadership was the culmination of a lifelong dream to be a good human who helped people- I just became a doctor in a different way and honored little Bonnie’s dream.
Q: What is the best gift you have been given? A: The best gift I was given is this life – with my family and great friends. They’ve been there for me through joyous highs and challenging moments. I have an incredibly close family- dozens of people who share my bloodline and are connected through marriage. The large family tree is such a wonder and I love learning about myself through those connected to me.
Q: If you could go back in time to change one thing, what would it be? A: This is always a tough question because all of my life experiences have led me to where I am now. One thing I would change is not studying abroad during my undergraduate career. During my career working in higher education, I saw the profound impact studying abroad had in the lives of young adults and I regret not including this experience in my own educational career.
Q: What’s your favorite family tradition? A: I have a few family traditions I love- Thanksgiving and family reunions. Thanksgiving serves as a core reconnection time for my family. We cook together, laugh together, dance to our favorite songs, and watch Christmas movies. It brings a sense of calm to a crazy time of the year.
My family reunions are one of the highlights of my year. Every year in July, my extended family converges in one of the four locations that serve as homebases for the roots of our family tree. I love seeing how much our family has grown, reconnecting with my cousins, and getting pearls of wisdom from older relatives.
Q: If you had a warning label, what would yours say? A: If I can’t be a role model, I can at least be a warning.
Q: What’s the most fun you’ve had this week? A: We went to the Destin, FL area for a family vacation. I grew up in the Midwest, so ocean access was limited to vacations once a year. I am most at peace on a beach and near water. This week we were hanging out at the beach and at dinner with my family – both were the highlights of the week.
Q: What’s the last movie you went to see? A: Renaissance. I prefer watching movies at home but there are particular movies I would rather see in a movie theatre.
Q: What childhood activity do you wish you could still do now? A: Continued learning to play the piano. It is such a beautiful artistry and creative outlet that requires discipline and focus. Both of which are learned skills that benefit me today but ones I wish I would have learned earlier in my younger years.
Q: Would you rather explore a new planet or the deepest parts of the ocean and why? A: This is a tough one. Exploring a new planet is my choice. Not because I think it’s less dangerous or more intriguing but because deep sea creatures are frightening, and a new planet has the possibility of no life. I would take no life over sea creatures who have never seen light or humans.