Growing up as a Jewish kid in small-town Minnesota, I asked my mom if I could set up a Christmas tree, and she said no. I wondered again every year. Although not having a Christmas tree may not feel like a big deal, I felt like I was missing out on a huge piece of the culture around me. From a young age, I was made aware of the differences that religion and culture can play in our daily lives and interactions with others. My research focuses on how our religious and cultural identities impact our thoughts, behaviors, and interactions with others both in and out of our religious and cultural groups. In our current world, I am excited to bring my research interests and teaching to Warren Wilson, a college that clearly cares about understanding and supporting diversity whenever possible.