Kay has been part of the UO women’s self-defense classes since 2018, first as a student and then taking leadership roles to always stay a part of the program. Kay has been a teaching assistant numerous times, leads our Empowerment Self-Defense workshops, and now is an instructor for the PE classes. Kay is a double Duck, graduating with a bachelor’s of education in family and human services in 2021 and a master’s of science in couples and family therapy in 2023. Kay teaches the verbal sections of the women’s self-defense program, which also includes a physical lab portion.

Kay believes that everyone deserves to feel safe and comfortable in every space they walk into. Kay wants to help teach women-aligned folks ways to tap into their own ways of staying safe both in larger contexts as well as day-to-day moments. Kay is passionate about the ways empowerment and confidence-building can help make our lives better and enhance our relationships.

Kay loves going for long walks with their dog and binge-watching RuPaul's Drag Race while snacking on Dairy Queen.