​"It's important to have people in your life who will applaud your ambition." 

~Kamala Harris

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my husband for his unwavering support, love, and encouragement throughout my master’s program. Your belief in me never faltered, even when I doubted myself. Thank you for being my rock through every late night and long weekend.

To my children — thank you for your patience, understanding, and all the hugs when I needed them most. You were my inspiration to keep going, and I hope this journey shows you the power of perseverance.

To my best friend Tricia — thank you for being my unofficial editor, cheerleader, and sounding board. Your time, attention to detail, and honest feedback made all the difference. I truly couldn’t have done this without you.

To my parents—thank you for your endless encouragement, love, and belief in me. I couldn’t have done this without you.

Thank you to Dr. Brent Goertzen for his invaluable wisdom and guidance. He has been an exceptional advisor throughout this program, always patient and supportive as I returned to school after more than a decade away.

Thank you to Fort Hays State University for being a constant in my family for more than 50 years, seeing uncles, cousins and parents go through the invaluable experiences you offer.