Administration
Who we are
The Knowledge Market houses the peer academic support services at GVSU: the Library Research Center, Digital Creator Lab, Writing Center, Speech Lab, and the Tutoring and Reading Center. The key to our partnership is shared vision and active collaboration.
Library Research Center & Digital Creator Lab
Jen Torreano
Jen Torreano (she/her) is the Senior Director of the Knowledge Market. She earned her Master's degree in higher education at GVSU. Jen is responsible for the Library Research Center and Digital Creator Lab, along with the coordination of the Knowledge Market which comprises the peer academic support services at GVSU, including the Library Research Center, Digital Creator Lab, Writing Center, Speech Lab, and Tutoring and Reading Center. Her research interests include peer learning, student development, and the intersections of cognitive bias and information literacy.
Writing Center
Patrick Johnson
Patrick Johnson is the full-time Director of the Fred Meijer Center for Writing and Michigan Authors. He earned his Master's degree in Rhetoric and Composition from Washington State University, followed by several years of work as a writing tutor, teacher, and Writing Center Coordinator. His scholarship and presentations have focused on small-group tutoring, program assessment, teaching, and tutor training. He enjoys movies, books, and games from any medium or genre, hates pickles, and has an inexplicable love of rain.
Meredith Fedewa
Meredith Fedewa is the Assistant Director of the Writing Center. She is responsible for developing and offering professional development and other training opportunities for writing consultants. Meredith received her bachelor's degree in English and secondary education from Grand Valley and recently completed a master's degree in English. Her current research interests include navigating self-care in an all online workspace and discovering new virtual methods of interactive online training.
Speech Lab
Susan Colon
Susan brings several years of higher education teaching and leadership experience to the GV Speech Lab and to the School of Communications. She previously taught communication courses at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University, and Wilbur Wright College-City Colleges of Chicago. She has deep respect for peer leadership and peer coaching and is always curious about what students are investigating for their class projects and co-curricular activities. With regard to speechcrafting, Susan believes that with a good structure and a skill for writing “for the ear” speakers can deliver a powerful message in just 5-6 minutes. Outside of GVSU, Susan enjoys live music and theater performances, visual arts, interior design, cooking, and outdoor exploration.
Tutoring and Reading Center
Melanie Rabine-Johnson
Melanie Rabine-Johnson (she/her) is the Administrative Lead for Tutoring and Supplemental Instruction at Grand Valley State University. She is responsible for the Tutoring and Reading Center as well as Structured Learning Assistance (SLA) within the Knowledge Market. Melanie earned her Educational Specialist in Leadership and her Master of Education in Literacy Studies degrees at GVSU, and her research interests include college as a foreign language, student development, and inclusive instructional design.