My Story

I’m a writer, speaker and psychologist on faculty at Campbellsville University in Kentucky, where I have taught for over thirty years.
My early career focused on teaching courses in gender studies and the integration of faith and psychology. My passion has always been to help my students see past the restrictions too often
imposed by others, so they can live fully and confidently as educated women and men.
Over the past several decades I have published extensively on gendered socialization. My book, Buried Talents, specifically explores the subtle ways women are discouraged from entering male-
dominated occupations.
Most recently, I have ventured into writing fiction with my debut novel, The Spirit of Vanderlaan, scheduled for release on December 2, 2024! This book is a fun, cozy, ghost story featuring a professor, Samantha Hayes, and her lively band of students who get caught up in
solving a campus mystery.
They say to write what you know, so that’s what I did. Well, at least in part. I’ve never solved a murder mystery nor encountered a ghost, and my office isn’t near as big as Samantha’s. But this novel does capture the warmth and camaraderie I have cherished with my students over the years. I hope you will enjoy Samantha and her student entourage as much as I’ve enjoyed writing
their story.
As I’ll be retiring from my “day job” as university professor in May of 2025, I look forward to writing even more. While I plan to continue raising awareness on gender issues, I will also finish the sequel to The Spirit of Vanderlaan, as Samantha and her students have more hijinks to share in The Hayes Spirit. I will also have more time for speaking engagements, so I hope you’ll keep me in mind for your book clubs, community groups, conferences, and church events.
I am married to Dwayne, also a writer, retired university professor, and minister. We have two grown children, a daughter-in-law, and an absolutely adorable grandson. They each give us tremendous hope for future generations of women and men. We also have a beagle named Doc who doesn’t understand a word we say but couldn’t be more supportive of my writing and speaking endeavors.