Cierra was initially attracted to Midland because of the community. While her first visit to campus was during the quiet, hot summer months, she experienced such a warm welcome from those who would soon become her Main House colleagues, it was hard to not feel like family. It did not take her long to see how Midland is so much more than just a college preparatory boarding high school and she quickly experienced how Midland teaches students necessary skills and life lessons that then enable each to become a more active, self-reliant part of society. She also loved that after growing up in the Santa Ynez Valley, her job at Midland enables her to stay here.

She enjoys Midland for all of its beauty, both in nature and in the people that live, learn and work here. She loves being a part of such a welcoming and caring community and looking out her office window at the beauty of the outdoors, laughing students, and wagging tails. Her favorite Midland meal is Gloria’s homemade tomato soup with a side of grilled cheese!

When she’s not at Midland, she keeps busy caring for her 90 pets (85 chickens, 1 dog, 2 cats, and 2 Nigerian Dwarf goats); working on her garden; snuggling up with a good book; and hiking with her dog, Annie. French Polynesia and Alaska are two places she enjoyed visiting, for very different reasons. French Polynesia for it’s beautiful turquoise oceans with the most brightly colored coral and fish she had ever experienced – all on pink and black sand beaches! Alaska was grand in every way possible. Denali was breathtaking, as were the coastal towns with the snowcapped mountains running right up to the open ocean. However, her absolute favorite place is the Eastern Sierra, the mountain range that inspired her name, where she enjoys camping, hiking, and finding the best fishing spots with her husband, Chris.