Hello everyone,
My name is Katherine Salas Burke, but I go by Kathy. I am a native Texan and currently live in a suburb that is 30 miles northwest of Dallas. This semester is my third at Penn State World Campus, and if all goes as planned, I will graduate at the end of the summer semester this year. I’m a mother of two, a 22-year-old son, also in college, and a seven-year-old daughter in second grade. Quite the gap, I know. I’m married to a Sr. Art Director in the video game business, of which I met while working at Atari.
I resigned from my job as a Managing Director in the recruiting industry about a year ago, where I was employed for the last 15 years. I did so after deciding to return to school and finish an undergraduate degree. My career interests and aspirations have been all over the place. I graduated from a Business Magnet High School, which prompted my career in Human Resources and eventually in recruiting; however, I’ve always had a love for science and, more specifically, geology and paleontology because dinosaurs are cool.
I was close to completing a degree in Geoscience from the University of Texas at Dallas over 15 years ago but, unfortunate family medical issues that required my full attention aside from a full-time job made it difficult, if not impossible, to complete at the time. I was fortunate to have been selected for a paleontology internship with Florissant Fossil Beds in Colorado, which is the only other place I’ve ever lived. My hobbies include learning about almost anything, especially about things that start with “Did you know…?”, reading, dabbling in polymer clay sculpting, and hunting for fossils or cool rocks, minerals, and crystals are how I spend my time usually.
I look forward to working with everyone and learning from Dr. Redmond.
-Kathy
Brian Redmond says
Welcome to the class Kathy. I was in Dallas a long time ago. I did the touristy JFK stuff and went and saw the Rangers after our consulting job was done. I’m a sciency kind of guy myself. I love NOVA, Nature, and similar programs. I look forward to working with you this semester.
–Dr. Redmond
Sarah Sheridan says
Hi Kathy,
Congratulations on the internship! We have 6 nieces and nephews (ages 1.5-6), all who have an interest and love for dinosaurs and fossils. It is really impressive to watch their knowledge grow about the various dinosaurs. Do you have a favorite?
Best of wishes to you this semester and on all of your feature endeavors!
Alexis Williams says
Hello Everyone,
My name is Alexis Williams, I am originally from New York; however, I currently reside in the beautiful Emerald Coast of Florida. I am a mother of two boys, 10 and 19 years old. If all goes according to plan, I plan on completing my degree by the end of this year (fingers crossed).
I am a government contractor supporting various government contracts throughout the branches concentrating on national security and defense, space systems and commercial solutions. I am perusing a degree in Organizational Leadership and Management, in hopes of pursuing different avenues within my organization.
I do travel often for my work which allows me to experience various places and cultures, but truthfully my hobbies consist of whatever my sons are actively engaged in I.e. baseball, ju-jitsu, gaming etc. However, I do enjoy a good podcast or audio book.
I look forward to working with all of you this semester.
-Alexis