Meet Your Writing Consultants!

Graduate Consultants
	Greg C. is a MBA student in the Seidman College of Business. He has a BA in History from Michigan State University and an MA in Religion from Florida State University. He enjoys biking, gardening, yoga, racquetball, old video games, interesting foods, and beer.
	Heather G. is a graduate student studying English. She is interested in hockey, making jewelry, and language. She likes “working at [writing] until my writing says what I want it to mean.” In the future, Heather plans to teach and study writing.
	Melanie R. earned her B.A. in English Language & Literacy from Grand Valley, and is currently a graduate student studying Education Literacy, TESOL. Aside from being a college student, she is a free-lance recording and performing musician; playing with bands, for special events, and in studios. She has also worked as a tutor for high schools around West Michigan, and loves the challenge of showing someone that they can love (or just survive) learning. She hopes to develop her appreciation for writing and translate it into a career where she can read, write, or help others with it And if college has taught her anything, it’s that she has a strange fondness for words, a great love for microwavable meals, and a fearless approach to new and experimental hair styles.
	Anna W. is an English Literature MA student living the dream as a Writing Center Grad Assistant. She enjoys poking literature with a feminist stick, exploring it from religious angles, and challenging the definition of literature itself. She can usually be found giggling until she's out of breath, tripping over things, or exploding with glee over Star Wars and Doctor Who.
Accounting
	Taylor H. is a sophomore Finance and Accounting major in the Honors College. In her spare time she's usually snowboarding, cooking, listening to music or watching embarrassing amounts of Big Bang Theory and Friends. Taylor is excited to be a writing consultant and wants to help the students she works with as well as learn new things from their work.
Biomedical Sciences
	Ariel M. is a senior Dance, Writing, Biology, and English major. She can often be found in the dance studio, either dancing, teaching, or choreographing. She loves all art forms and hopes to someday publish a memoir. In addition to her love of art, she also appreciates a good scientific study that deals with holistic medicine and living. She is a sucker for an acoustic guitar song, chocolate, and a good book.
	Jerika N. is a senior majoring in Biomedical Sciences and minoring in French. She is very important; she has many leather-bound books and her apartment smells of rich mahogany. Just kidding, San Diego. Jerika has a fascination for fonts, inky black pens, 1337, and lolcat speak. She is the current President of Asian Student Union, Treasurer of Pre-Pharmacy Association, and a member of the Honors College. Outside of the Writing Center, she works for Spectrum Health and Parkwood Pharmacy. Contrary to popular myth, she does have (somewhat) of a life, and welcomes you to get to know her.
	Lindsay S. is a junior majoring in biomedical science. Mathematics and writing are her two minors. She is involved with the Pre-Med Club and the Rugby Club on campus. Lindsay loves sports (especially basketball, soccer, and rugby), reading, and catching up with good friends over a cup of coffee. She loves writing because she sees it as a valuable form of expression: “Writing allows you to escape from the everyday without having to truly leave.” In the future, Lindsay plans to attend medical school and become a doctor.
	Pursuing Biomedical Sciences, Isaac B. is a pre-med student with rather bipolar medical interests. His love for emergency medicine is strongly contrasted by interests in nutrition and alternative medicine. Presently, Isaac is employed as a paramedic and holds an associate’s degree in emergency medical services as well as certification in wilderness medicine. Isaac is a fanatical outdoorsman, and spends his spare time pursuing fishing, trail running, backpacking, canoeing, winter sports, wilderness medicine, and wilderness education—particularly education involving youth. These pursuits have strongly influenced Isaac as a writer, and the bulk of his writing has hinged around them. He firmly believes in the notion that the written word is simply speech put on paper and that successful, comfortable writing is easiest to achieve when you learn how to release your personality into, and relate yourself with, your writing.
	Mohammed G. is a junior majoring in biomedical science. His interests range from chemistry to world affairs. In addition to acting as campus vigilante and roaming the nights in his bat costume (just kidding), he is an active volunteer at two hospitals. Mohammed holds leadership positions in two student organizations, both of which are dedicated to raising consciousness in regards to issues ranging from hunger and homelessness to human rights abuses. He spends what little free time he has playing sports, reading, and tweeting Justin Bieber (also kidding, he can’t stand him). Mohammed plans on attending medical school to pursue a career in medicine.
Chemistry
	Allison K. is a sophomore majoring in chemistry for secondary education and minoring in Spanish. She is a member of the Honors College and plans to teach high school chemistry while obtaining her Master’s degree. She enjoys reading memoirs and short stories. In her free time, she likes to make crafts, listen to the Backstreet Boys and Spice Girls, and watch movies.
Computer Science
	Jake C. is a senior computer major science and transferred to GVSU last year. When he's not busy in the classroom you can find him reading about the world, writing with his friends, or trying to solve a programming challenge. He also loves to get together with his friends to watch awful horror movies or play video games. Jake wants to study computer science to contribute to how we interact with technology in our daily lives.
Creative Writing
	Benjamin A. is a sophomore creative writing major. Returning to school after spending eight and a half years in the army, he is really excited about GVSU and about writing. Favorite activities include gaming with friends, building model ships, and attending renaissance faires.
	Michelle G. is a senior Creative Writing major, with minors in English and French. Here at Grand Valley, she leads a Small Group Bible Study and participates in the Honors program. She aspires to be a literary editor because it would allow her to be a part of the creative process while working collaboratively with other authors. She loves Harry Potter and throws too many Harry Potter references into everyday conversations. She enjoys four-wheeling and camping with her family. Walking and playing with her puppy, Austin, are also hobbies she enjoys.
	Nikki F. is a nerd. She's also a junior and a major in Creative Writing and English. She was really excited to get a job as a Writing Consultant, because after she tacked on a minor in Philosophy, her mother was a bit concerned about her employability. ("Nikki, minimum wage jobs are going to shoot your dreams in the face!" -- Thanks, Mom!) She also works on campus at the Lobby Shop and has since developed a minor coffee addiction (but as long as she stops at Kirkhof on the way to the Writing Center in the morning, you shouldn't have to see her ugly side!). Nikki loves learning and ardently believes in keeping an open and skeptical mind. As is the case with most writers, she's rather infatuated with the English language. If she could support herself as a poet, she most certainly would, but for now, she's willing to read through your papers and give you advice!
	Heather B. is a senior English and Creative Writing double major. Though she is a self-proclaimed geek for the English language, she also enjoys studying Biology, Psychology, Philosophy, and History. In her spare time--when she's not already reading Shakespeare or David Foster Wallace, writing a poem, or subcumbing to the Siren calls of Netflix--Heather likes to spend time exploring the great outdoors. She also enjoys party-planning, cooking, eating (especially foods she's never had before), and scrapbooking. After graduation, Heather intends to complete her MFA in Creative Writing and, among traveling, joining the Peace Corps, and hiking the Appalachian Trail, she hopes to eventually become a professor.
Criminal Justice
	Kalle T. is a senior majoring in both Legal Studies and Criminal Justice. Kalle enjoys reading, camp counseling, watching reality TV, pinning way too much on Pinterest, drinking coffee and daydreaming about hot air balloon rides. Kalle's future ambitions include attending law school, traveling, owning a Bernese Mountain Dog, and helping as many people as possible along the way.
Dance
	Hillary W. is a sophomore double majoring in Dance and Hospitality, Tourism, and Management. She is a magnet for ridiculously overpriced clothing, tootsie rolls, and a good cup of sarcasm. You can find her dancing in the kitchen or organizing random objects. She is a part of the dance group, Momentum, and is an avid movie watcher. Hillary is very happy to be a writing consultant and have the ability to help people help themselves down their literary path. From a recent fortune cookie she indulged in last Tuesday, "Assert yourself, your ideas are worthwhile."
English
	Allie C. is a junior studying English secondary education with minors in Spanish and mathematics. When she's not curled up with a good book, Allie is often organizing or making lists, relaxing at the pool, or of late, learning to play beach volleyball. She loves cherry pie, Harry Potter, wasting time in book stores, being warm, and in general spending as much time as she can with her friends and family.
	Anna W. is a sophomore working towards a major in English and a minor in linguistics. In her spare time, she enjoys grocery shopping, tea drinking, becoming deeply emotionally engaged in foreign-language television shows, trying foods she can't pronounce, and getting a good night's sleep. An aggressively cheery morning person, Anna holds a firm belief that the hours immediately preceding breakfast are those most full of opportunity. She blatantly overuses dashes and semi-colons in her writing, has double-jointed shoulders, and looks forward to meeting with you in the Writing Center.
	Megan N. is a sophomore majoring in Secondary English Education who hopes to one day spend her days leading conversations with her students about different pieces of literature. Said literature can be interpreted in various ways, and she likes to give others the same opportunity when it comes to her. She wears scarves on her head. She buys the majority of her clothes from thrift shops. And she often wears glasses that take up half of her face. Megan, supporting equality in love, has recently inked herself for the first time with an equal sign on her left ring finger. This sparked a new obsession. If the world did not revolve so strictly on money, she would already have many more tattoos and would have seen much more of the world. Luckily, working as a writing consultant allows her to not only hold awesome conversations about different viewpoints in students’ papers, but her wage takes her one step closer to both decorating her skin and travelling the world. Random fact: Megan can touch her nose with her tongue.
	Hollie M. is a senior double major in English and History. She has worked at the Writing Center for three years, which means she knows where all of the extra candy is hidden, but more importantly, the endless coffee supply. She's involved in many departments, clubs, and organizations on campus, so the amount of coffee she drinks is directly proportional to her consciousness. In addition to her love for academia and obsession with coffee, Hollie is an avid reader, amateur photographer, and world traveler. She has had Starbucks coffee in 7 countries, and thinks they are the best place to people watch and study other cultures. With graduation and the "real world" fast approaching, she finds it acceptable to change her life plans every couple of weeks, but that is the spice and variety of life. She never wants to "grow up," for the laughter and innocence of youth is too beautiful to abandon. She also likes cats.
	Marissa K. is a junior double major in English Language and Literature and Creative Writing. She also has a double minor in Advertising and Public Relations and Arabic. She is a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha and a Student Senator. In her rare spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, watching movies, and listening to music. Her favorite authors are George R. R. Martin, Scott Lynch, and Patrick Rothfuss. She is thrilled to have the honor to work at the Writing Resource Center and work with students to help them find the beauty in the written word.
	Rachel A. is a senior with majors in English and Spanish for Secondary Education and a minor in Applied Linguistics. She’s happiest when perusing used book sales and flower shops, drinking tea, freewriting in her journal, or watching Downton Abbey (Free Bates!). Traveling is her newfound passion, and with luck, she’ll study in Spain next summer. Rachel also enjoys volunteering with local youth organizations and hopes to become a middle school teacher someday.
	Holly Z. is a senior at Grand Valley, pursuing a degree in English with an emphasis in Secondary Education and minoring in Psychology. Holly caught the travel bug this summer while studying abroad in Europe, and hopes to embark on another adventure soon. She is an RA in the North/West Community and also works as a Desk Assistant at the North C Desk. The past three summers, Holly has immensely enjoyed meeting new people and teaching kids about the great outdoors at a camp—first as a Counselor, and most recently as a Program Coordinator. In her spare time, Holly enjoys playing sports of almost any kind, beach days, hiking through the ravines, listening to music, and going out with friends. Holly’s life goals include teaching English abroad and owning a Great Dane.
	Marie O. is a junior pursuing a degree in English and Writing with a minor in French. She enjoys reading, writing, and listening to pretentious music. In addition to her work at the writing center, Marie also works at an audiobook store. She did not know they existed either. Marie spends a lot of her free time searching the internet for nothing and watching cartoons. She drives a white station wagon and is definitely too proud of it.
	Bobby C. is an English Major with a double minor in French and German. He is currently a part of the Honors College and a member of Sigma Tau Delta (the International English Honor Society). Bobby plans to become an English Professor and somehow incorporate his love of languages with his career. British Literature is his favorite subject area, and The Lord of the Rings books by JRR Tolkien are his favorite books. Bobby enjoys reading, playing video games, and watching a good movie and relaxing. Bobby also enjoys running, especially in the Fall, his favorite season. His goal is to travel the world and experience many different cultures in addition to one day teaching British Literature.
	Joe H. is a sophomore studying Film and English and is a member of the Honors College. He writes for Faith Magazine, Lansing’s diocesan publication, and publishes film reviews on his blog. Joe also co-founded Facebook but was ousted by Mark Zuckerberg in his hubristic attempt to consolidate power, as recorded in David Fincher’s low budget documentary The Social Network. Later, Joe H. moved to Columbia and, after a run-in with a certain drug cartel, went to an undisclosed safehouse north of the border. While there, he is believed to have had extensive correspondence with both Tony Blair and actor Billy Zane. Joe H. resurfaced in the public sphere in 2009, and has since been revising his notes on the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which he co-wrote with J.R.R. Tolkein.
	Kevin J. is in his junior year and is planning to pursue a career as an English professor. He enjoys biking and backpacking, watching Friends, Arrested Development, and Breaking Bad, and is fanatic for all things Marvel.
	Lindsey W. is an English major with an emphasis in Elementary Education and a minor in non- profit administration. I am a junior. I have been an RA for two years and it has changed me in more ways than I can count. I connect with writing because it is a great creative outlet and allows people to express themselves in a way they normally wouldn't. I am part of GVSU Dance Troupe and love music. I love riding horses, drawing, reading, and spending time with friends.
	Anne W. is a sophomore English Secondary Education major with a math minor. On campus, she is involved in Child @ Heart, Teachers of Tomorrow, and the honors college. She has many interests including, but not limited to: classic literature, the outdoors, art, superheroes, dogs, four wheeling, traveling, puns, music, and baking. In her spare time, Anne enjoys watching Disney movies, listening to funny stories, making things found on Pinterest, and going on adventures. Anne's all time favorite thing to do, however, is help people realize their full potential - especially in writing! In the future, she hopes to inspire students to become the best they can be in whatever their passion is (even if it isn't writing). She is super pumped to meet new people in the Writing Center and help them tell the world their stories.
	Katie C. is a sophomore double majoring in English Language and Literature and History with a minor in Writing. She proudly identifies as a geek of all trades; she is a literature geek gamer girl with obsessive tendencies towards BBC shows and anime. She can usually be found lost in a book, writing, or watching Doctor Who re-runs. She wants to travel the world more than anything and hopes to learn to speak as many languages as possible. She hopes to go on to graduate school to get her MA in English Literature and would one day like to teach literature at the college level. She also dreams of one day becoming a published author but for now would be happy if she could just finish writing her first novel. DFTBA!
	Kathleen R. is a junior with an English major, History minor, and an emphasis in Secondary Education. She loves both her major and minor equally and especially enjoys fusing the two by discussing the history of English. She is also terribly fascinated with the Middle East and loves learning about the history, culture, and people of this important area of the world in her spare time. Kathleen is a member of Alpha Omicron Pi, a member of the Honors College, and a Student Senator; she LOVES being involved on campus. She also enjoys reading young adult fiction, making lists (while never actually completing the tasks on said lists), drinking tea, and making desserts.
	Jason M. is honeymooning in the Writing Center after recently graduating with a degree in English Language and Literature and Applied Linguistics. He is the co-founder of Grand Valley’s alternative press, Cohesion, and his heart is sautéed in spoken word and slam poetry. Paring down his intellectual promiscuity, he plans to pursue sociological issues through American Studies in graduate school—if he doesn’t abandon civilization for nature. Aside from romancing with the sensuality of grass, Jason’s mind is stimulated by all logics and scholars, and the beautiful language that transmits them between minds.
Graphic Design
	Alex P. is happy to be a fourth year student and employee of Grand Valley State. Growing up in Metro Detroit, he found thrills in skateboarding and late night drives. His passion for music developed at a young age; the transition from his first Backstreet Boys cassette tape at age 6 to his first CD—blink-182's Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (age 9)—was a climacteric event. Album artwork and iconoclastic band merchandise introduced him to the exciting world of visual communication, which led to a variety of freelance projects in art and design at the unripe age of 13. As 2012 prepares for its departure, Alexander's BFA in Graphic Design is nearly complete. His plans for a career in design include typography, branding and identity development, and package design. His personal work investigates the obsessive behavior consumers demonstrate through worship of material goods, which curiously skews an individual's good judgment.
History
	Laura B. is a senior majoring in group social studies with an emphasis in history and a minor in biology for secondary education. She enjoys hot beverages, shows written by Joss Whedon, tonal music, not cooking, and telling stories to all age groups. One day, she would like to be the crazy old lady at the library with the thick-rimmed glasses who reads aloud to children and goes skydiving on the weekends.
	Xinyi O. is a sophomore majoring in History. She still cannot decide between minors in Arabic, Chinese, Middle Eastern Studies, and Religious Studies, so she plans to pursue them all! Her future plans include becoming a global nomad. In preparation for her world travels, she has been cultivating her street artist skills in painting and acoustic guitar. When she is not busy indulging in ethnic food or staring at nature, she can be found sharing her passion for learning with others. In addition to her job as a writing consultant, she teaches math workshops for Grand Valley's SLA program. Her biggest love in life is teaching, and she intends to return to academia one day as a professor of History.
Integrated Sciences
	Torie S. is a second year integrated sciences major and elementary education minor. She plans to become a teacher and hopes to influence and empower young students in the classroom. She has an addiction to chocolate, a love for vegetables, and a passion for international travel. She enjoys writing because, "there are endless possibilities...always something new and wonderful to create." She is very excited to be a writing consultant and looks forward to helping students reach their potential.
International Relations
	Sheila G. is a junior majoring in International Relations with a minor in East Asian Studies. This past spring, I studied abroad in Osaka, Japan where I studied traditional Japanese theater. After getting lost in a variety of settings, and using the "nod the smile" technique when I didn't understand anything, I eventually was able to improve my speaking skills. I help out with the JCA (Japanese Culture Association) and volunteer with the Lutheran Social Services of West Michigan, teaching newly arrived refugees how to use the bus system. I speak fluent Spanish and English, although my Japanese needs some work before I can add it to my list. I like listening to music from different parts of the world, writing down my dreams as soon as I wake up, eating sushi, watching Criminal Minds, and learning all I can about political situations around the world. After I graduate, I hope to enter the Peace Corps and eventually find a job with a nonprofit organization.
Marketing
	Lexi C. is a senior majoring in Marketing and minoring in Advertising. She loves animals, and is President of the Humane Society of Grand Valley. Writing is a passion of hers because it allows people to express themselves creatively. She has spent a semester abroad in Australia and plans to return soon.
	Sara J. is a senior marketing major and writing minor and a third-year writing consultant. She loves working in the writing center so much that she has decided to go back to school for English education after graduation. She is a drifter who goes wherever life takes her. She loves her family and friends, reading, writing, hiking, camping, and the clever works of Tina Fey.
Math
	Biz S. is a junior double majoring in mathematics and statistics and minoring in international business. She likes to keep her mind open to new people, ideas, and concepts, and is always looking for the next person to help her perception of the world grow. She has a passion for traveling and a love for foreign cultures. Biz also loves nature, pets, dark chocolate, cake of any sort, and captivating books.
Philosophy
	Andrew B. is a junior majoring in both Psychology and Philosophy, and this is his first year as a writing consultant. After graduating, he hopes to study Counseling Psychology, and eventually pursue a career as a counselor. Besides the Writing Center, Andrew also works as a Leadership and Service Intern in the Community Service Learning Center, and as a Peer Educator in the Counseling Center. In order to survive all that, he enjoys frequent trips to the coffeemaker, sleep, and occasionally letting friends and acquaintances know he exists. If there's a temporary gap in the time-space continuum and there are more than 24 hours in a day, he also enjoys watching and playing sports, video games, hanging out with friends, cooking, and coffee. A simple guy, he only needs a sarcastic comment, a smile, and some coffee to have a good day!
Physics
	Mallory F. is a fourth year student pursuing a degree in Physics with minors in Math and Philosophy. She is the president of the Physics Club on campus and is also an active member of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. After completing her degree at GVSU, she plans to get her Ph.D. in Physics and hopes to one day be a professor. When her time isn't occupied with experiments or equations she enjoys swing dancing, winning at Euchre, and playing video games.
Professional Writing
	Hayley L. is studying Professional Writing and Spanish and is happy to kick-off her senior year working at the Writing Center. While post-graduation seems to be the topic of conversation amongst all of her friends and family, Hayley is still deciding in which direction she would like to go, knowing that promoting international education will be involved in some way. Ideally, she will graduate and begin traveling the globe in order to build cross-cultural connections and, in an ideal world, promote global understanding and acceptance among beautifully differing cultures. She enjoys harmonizing, dabbling in other languages, exploring new cultures and cutting meat at the family butcher shop.
	Jessie M. is a TV fanatic, and a not-so-closeted lover of mustaches. Her dream life constitutes eating pizza three times a day and re-watching episodes of Arrested Development while relaxing in a onesie. In real life, she is a senior majoring in professional writing with a minor in Spanish. But in neverland, she is a rockstar journalist writing for Rolling Stone, and has one of those metabolisms where she can eat anything but gain nothing. She wishes she was funny. True story.
Psychology
	Katie C. is senior studying psychology, French, and public administration. This is her third year as a consultant at the Writing Center. She is a member of Students for a Free Tibet and Active Minds. Katie has lived in South Korea and traveled to Japan, China, Thailand, France, Italy, and England. Her interests include yoga, Harry Potter, and painting. With graduation fast approaching, Katie hopes to figure out what she'd like to be when she grows up before entering the real world.
	Kevin V. is a senior majoring in psychology and minoring in biology. He enjoys reading nonfiction and spending time with his dog. His plans for the future include attending graduate school and also winning the lottery.
	Michelle T. is a senior at Grand Valley, majoring in psychology and double minoring in statistics and philosophy. She is currently preparing to go to law school next year (Harvard would be nice!). When she is not studying, she spends a lot of time working out and seeing friends. Reading and writing have always been passions of hers, and each day she tries to improve her skills and vocabulary. After she graduates from Grand Valley, she hopes to pursue a career in law.
Social Work
	Erica J. is a senior majoring in Social Work and minoring in Psychology. No, she won’t analyze your mind. However, she will use her three years of experience in the writing center to try and help you. She has a passion for helping people in whatever ways possible, which just so happens to include writing. When Erica has time for leisurely adventures, she avidly reads, hangs out with friends, photoshops pictures, and listens to music as if it was her lifeline. She also has a random love of red pandas, which is portrayed in the lovely picture beside this bio. The fall season is also her favorite time of year (mmmm, hot apple cider :D) She hopes to continue with her social work career and better society in whatever way she can.
Writing
	Erin T. is starting her senior year at GVSU and is majoring in writing. She hopes to someday morph into a super hero and empower the world to be a better place, but until then she plans on using her acquired knowledge in creative avenues such as short fiction. She enjoys the outdoors but spends most of her time inside working with her computer or hands, often crafting jewelry and scarves to share with family and friends. Her favorite things include the color green, dinosaurs, and Stephen Colbert’s Americone Dream ice-cream. She would probably vote Colbert for President, too, because she doesn’t trust bears.
	Rose W. is a sophomore Writing major. She loves learning and is a self-classified nerd. When she isn't poring over books and articles, she can be found spending her time with her friends and family (including her brand-new nephew!), enjoying sitcoms such as Community, Parks and Recreation, and 30 Rock. She also is working with her church to start a church in the Grand Rapids neighborhood known as Eastown. One day she hopes to discover the cure for cancer while being the President of the United States, and star in a feature film and win an Oscar. In actuality, she likes discovering people's aspirations in life and encouraging those.
	Krisy F. is a junior majoring in Writing with a minor in Anthropology. This is her first year as a writing consultant. During her spare time, Krisy enjoys climbing Grand Valley’s rock wall, participating in intramurals, reading, and laughing hysterically with friends. She hopes one day, in the near and not so far away future, to be a children’s book editor. For now however, she is content studying and being involved with Grand Valley’s Kids in Motion and the Organization for Professional Writers. When she is not studying, Krisy sometimes daydreams about what the world would be like if woolly mammoths were still in existence.