At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), I began work as an editor at the then Center for Twentieth Century Studies (now Center for 21st Century Studies). In 2000, I left the Center to become the director of the Edison Initiative in the College of Letters and Science. Edison was a teaching and learning innovations unit that could experiment with college-wide programs to enhance retention. At Edison, I was responsible for the Freshman Seminar Program, the Peer Mentoring Program, and the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program.
In 2008, following a successful budget initiative, the campus opened the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) and I was appointed director. The OUR reports to the Vice-Provost for Research and provides a full suite of programs to encourage faculty-student collaborations in research. The office works with over 500 students every year. In 2018, UWM was named a recipient of the Award for Undergraduate Research Accomplishment (AURA) from the national Council on Undergraduate Research.
In the fall of 2018 I joined the History Department at UWM, while retaining my position as Director of the OUR. My teaching focuses on the history of animals and Modern European History. I also occasionally serve as an external examiner/committee member for rising scholars in Animal Studies and have served on committees for Rutgers University, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Alberta, Western University (Ontario), the University of Wisconsin, the Rhode Island School of Design, and Central European University.
In 2021 I was elected Chair of the History Department and also Chair the University Committee, the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate. For 2022-23, I was named Acting Dean of the College of Letters and Science and am currently Acting Associate Vice Provost for Research.