Usual stuff: Originally from Idaho. Yes, Idaho. Majored in psychology at the University of Oregon. I then earned my PhD in psychology from Carnegie Mellon University in 1995 and joined the University of Iowa faculty in 1998. Less usual stuff: I study visual attention and perception and am the author of more than 90 journal articles, book chapters, and other publications on my research. I was appointed as the director of the University Honors Program in 2021. From 2016-2021, I was appointed as the Herman J. and Eileen S. Schmidt Chair for leadership in undergraduate education, and I received the 2017-18 President and Provost Teaching Award for Teaching Excellence. I received the Honors Teaching Award from the University of Iowa Honors Program in 2019. That same year I received the Award for Outstanding First-Generation Student Advocacy from the 1stGen@Iowa initiative. Why am I a 1stGen@Iowa Mentor? As a first-generation college graduate, I know that first-gen students arrive on campus with backgrounds and help networks that are different from continuing-generation college students. Undergraduate student success is an important priority for me, and supporting first-gen students is central to that focus.