Meet Your Writing Consultants!

Graduate Consultants

Bryce C. likes to read. Bryce likes to write. 

Major: M. Ed. TESOL

Citation specialization: MLA

Erica J. is pursuing a graduate degree in Social Work and no, she won’t analyze your mind. However, she will use her 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. 

Graduate Major: Social Work

Citation specialization: APA

This is Russ P.'s third semester at GVSU. He received his Bachelors in Journalism from Wayne State University and Associates in Fine Arts and Literature from Grand Rapids Community College. If he somehow has a moment of free-time, he usually spends it at the movies or trying to catch up on some reading. Russ has also performed in over 25 Grand Rapids community theater productions. He returned to the stage two Summers ago in Wait Until Dark at Circle Theatre, his first show in seven years. He was in a children's show, A Sleeping Beauty Somewhere in TIme, at Circle Theater this Summer. 

Graduate Major: Business

Citation specialization: APA

The name’s Yah-Hanna L. I was born and raised in St. Kitts, a very small island known as the Mother Colony of the West Indies. I completed my undergraduate degree at the City College of the City University of New York in English Literature and International Studies with a minor in Public Policy. I’m currently working on my Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in nonprofit leadership and management. I got married to the love of my life in 2013. I like talking about life and beaches, eating flavorful foods and trying out new dishes. My expertise is that I have no expertise but love learning from all the awesome students of life and GVSU I interact with on a daily basis.

Graduate Major: Public Administration

Citation specialization: APA

Anthropology

Major: Anthropology

Minors: History & Writing

Meghan F. is in her sophomore year at Grand Valley and is majoring in Anthropology with minors in both History and Writing. She is also a member of the Honors College and, as if that wasn't enough, a participant in Anthropology Club, History Club, and Nerdfighters. When she was five, she wanted to be a professional "snake-guy"; in recent years, her hopes have shifted to serving as a curator for a major cultural institution by day and an writing internationally loved novels by night. In her spare time, she enjoys solving mysteries with Sherlock Holmes on BBC, singing along to any of the excellent Disney soundtracks, crocheting, and telling anyone that will listen that all horror movies can be explained by anthropological phenomena. If you happen to run into her around campus, she would be more than happy to strike up a conversation about Harry Potter, medieval European History, or whatever else happens to be on your mind at the time-- provided that she's not headed to class!

Citation Specialization: MLA 

Business

Major: Business and Information Technology

Hi, I'm Alexis W. I'm a sophomore at Grand Valley, and I'm majoring in Business and Information Technology. I am currently a receptionist in the Mary Idema Pew Library and a writing consultant in the Writing Center. As you can tell from my current occupations, I love to read and write. I also love scary movies, good food, and anything purple. I prefer Marvel over DC Comics and football over basketball. I have an obsession with hair products. I also have a passion for fashion. My short term goal is to work for Geek Squad (I love their uniforms) or Google. My long term goal is to be the CEO of my own clothing line.

Allied Health Science

Major: Allied Health Sciences

Minor: International Relations & Psychology

Megan R. is a sophomore this year and is majoring in Allied Health Sciences with a double minor in international relations and psychology. She’s a sports junkie and compulsive list-maker who loves spicy food, spur-of-the-moment adventures, and the smell of sunscreen. She’s never met a Sudoku puzzle that she didn’t like, and is addicted to Criminal Minds, Friends, and the X Factor.  She isn’t sure what she wants to do after her time at GVSU, but knows that she wants to work with people, travel, and use her creativity to make a difference.

Citation specialization: MLA

Biology

Major: Biology

Minor: French

Katie T. is a senior with a major in Biology and a minor in French. This is her second year as a writing consultant. Katie is also a member of the Honors College ad President of the Student Environmental Coalition. When free time presents itself, she spends it doing yoga, meditating with stones from Lake Superior, burning her tongue on coffee, performing spoken word poetry to friends, singing along to the Beach Boys and Bob Dylan, making the World’s Best Veggie Burgers, and planning hiking trips. After graduation, she aspires to save the world from environmental harm.

Citation specialization: MLA

Major: Biology & Secondary Education
Minor: English

Erin K. is a sophomore studying to go into Secondary Education with a major in Biology and a minor in English. She is part of the Honors College, ANCHOR, and loves playing intramural basketball and soccer. In her free time she enjoys reading fiction such as Harry Potter, the Mortal Instruments, and anything by Orson Scott Card. Also, she has a shameless love for long naps and ABC family television series.

Citation specialization: MLA

Biomedical Sciences

Major: Dance, Writing, Biology & English

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.

Citation specialization: MLA

Major: Biomedical Science & Molecular Biology

Minor: Chemistry

Veena J. is a junior majoring in Biomedical Sciences and Cell and Molecular Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Her career goal is to become a pediatrician/pediatric surgeon, and her life goals include traveling the world and having a family while managing to find time to sleep as well. She currently does research in the Biomedical Sciences department, is an active member of the Multicultural Cohort Program, and volunteers at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in the oncology/hematology unit. In her spare time in the warm months she loves to hike, play sports, watch tennis, and pretend froyo is healthy while in the winter she watches an excessive amount of TV shows and attempts to read books for fun. She especially loves to read others’ works and is very excited to help others in the Writing Center.

Citation Specialization: MLA

Major: Biopsychology

Minor: Psychology & Chemistry

Kevin S. is currently a senior at Grand Valley State majoring in Biopsychology. He is a member of the Indoor Lacrosse Club on campus, and when he is not busy with school he works as an EMT and an emergency department technician in the Detroit area. Kevin enjoys being on the water and plans to spend his career in the same context. Kevin also loves to eat pancakes, a lot. 

Citation specialization: APA

Chemistry

Major: Chemistry

Minor: Environmental Studies

Emily I. is a sophomore majoring in chemistry. In her spare time, Emily enjoys sleeping, watching cooking shows, doing crafts, and knitting. She also loves cats…a lot. Emily also enjoys traveling and wishes to travel as many places as she can in her lifetime.

Citation specialization: MLA

Computer Science

Major: Computer Science

Minor: Writing

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.

Citation specialization: MLA

Creative Writing

Major: Creative Writing

Minor: Russian

Benjamin A. is a junior 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.

Citation specialization: MLA

Gilman Scholarship Trained

Major: Creative Writing

Rachel B. is a 5th year Super Senior Creative Writing and English major. She mainly writes fiction and hopes to publish a novel someday. She actually hates long walks on the beach due to her intense dislike of bathing suits, prolonged exposure to sunlight, and sand. Rachel can usually be found downtown during her free time, hiding in the Bitter End coffee house. Her hobbies include reading, crocheting, singing, gaming, and baking apple pie. Rachel’s favorite authors are Jim Butcher and Neil Gaiman, the former of which she was able to meet over the summer.

Citation specialization: MLA

Major: Creative Writing

Minor: Biology

Sydney M. is a senior majoring in creative writing, and hopes to one day pursue a career as a physical therapist.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading books, drinking coffee, and going on outdoor adventures.  She has a slight obsession with the color purple (lavender-purple, not dark purple), loves recycling and the earth, and has big dreams of world travel.  She is an avid yogi, and more often than not you will find her upside down in some kind of handstand rather than right side up.

Citation specialization: MLA

Major: Creative Writing & English Language Literature

Grayson D. is a senior majoring in English Language and Literature and Creative Writing. When she isn’t studying, she enjoys writing and reading poetry, watching tons of movies, learning to play fantasy football, and listening to a variety of podcasts (she’s been on a Judge John Hodgeman bender lately). After graduating, she hopes to pursue a career in magazine writing or editing. Either way, she’ll find herself back in school pursuing her master’s in English Literature or Creative Writing.  But for now, catch her in the library making lists and eating those huge cookies from Argo Tea. 

Citation specialization: MLA

Major: Creative Writing

Nathan H. has worked at the Writing Center for three years. Nathan is a creative writing major at Grand Valley, where he enjoys discussing and studying writing, English, history, education, psychology, philosophy, religion, politics, video games, movies, TV shows, the news, dreams, sunsets, clouds, the future, the past, alternate realities, America, books, comics, and everything else. He spends his free time working on his own writing, meeting new people, and going on adventures with his friends.  He also performs original slam poetry in Grand Rapids and works as a creative writing instructor with the Creative Youth Center and The Cook Arts Center. Make an appointment with him today! (Or not, we’re all so qualified.)

Citation specialization: MLA

Major: Creative Writing and English Literature

Annabelle M. is a junior majoring in Creative Writing and English Literature. This is her first year as a writing consultant and she is ecstatic to be working here! Annabelle is also a member of the honors college, president of the Organization for Professional Writers, and a poetry reader for fishladder. Her passions in life are reading, writing, and helping others. She hopes to be a published author someday—if she can ever get some time to finish writing her novel. 

Citation specialization: Chicago

Major: Creative Writing & History

Shardae R. is a senior Creative Writing major and History minor. This past summer, she completed a PR/Marketing internship for a small event planning company based in London, England, and caught the travel bug. She is also a writer at The Black Sheep, where she is not paid to be funny, but rather highly encouraged to do so. Although she would like to say that she enjoys long walks on the beach and watching the sunrise, she much prefers the night owl life and curling up with a good book. An extremely picky music snob, Shardae can most often be found belting out her favorite songs in her spare time as well as pretending she’s a photographer and working on her forever-in-progress first novel. 

Citation specialization: Chicago

Elementary Education

Major: English for Elementary Education

Minor: Spanish

Brianne S. is a sophomore studying English for Elementary Education and is also pursuing a minor in Spanish. On campus, she is the vice president of the Council for Exceptional Children and is involved with University Christian Outreach. She also spends time volunteering with a local elementary school, putting on her "teacher hat" whenever possible! Some other interesting and random facts: she has played the piano since she was in second grade, has been in fifteen theatrical productions, loves all things Disney, has an addiction to Pilot G-2 07 pens, loves making and completing to-do lists, and colors quite frequently (both for fun and to relieve stress). She is also a crafty person, so Pinterest is both her best friend and her worst enemy. Brianne looks forward to meeting with you at the writing center and getting to know you as the unique, individual writer that you are.

Citation specialization: MLA

Engineering

Daniel S. is an Engineering student with a passion to learn more about the Earth we all inhabit. He heads up philanthropy and community service efforts in Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, and has another job on-campus as a student worker in the Seidman College of Business.  In addition to spending copious time discussing politics with friends, he enjoys spending time reading Stephen King novels, kayaking vast distances, and playing Chopin on the piano. He was drafted by the Patriots as the replacement for Tom Brady, but he decided that a job at the Writing Center was the better gig.

Citation specialization: MLA

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Minor: Writing

Allie G. is a sophomore and is majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Writing. She is the secretary for the Circle K club and is part of the GV Humane Society club. In her free time, she enjoys blogging, running and writing music. Along with this, she has fun volunteering and the challenge of fixing a broken object. She loves most foods lemon flavored and seeing local bands, but her guilty pleasure is Katy Perry. 

Citation specialization: MLA

English

Major: English Secondary Education

Minor: Spanish & Mathematics

Allie C. is thrilled to be returning to the Writing Center this year. A senior studying English secondary education with minors in Spanish and mathematics, she anticipates a great year working with students on their writing and growing as a writer herself. 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, and wasting time in book stores.

Citation specialization: MLA

Major: English

Minor: Linguistics

Anna W. is a senior 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.

Citation specialization: MLA

Gilman Scholarship Trained

Major: English Secondary Education

Minor: Physics

Megan N. is a senior studying English and physics for secondary education who hopes to one day spend her days leading conversations with her students about different pieces of literature and the relationship between the studies of English and physics. Such topics, such as 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. Fun fact: Megan is Disney World famous and has danced with Mickey Mouse on multiple occasions.

Citation specialization: MLA

Major: Secondary English Education

Minors: Spanish

Seth R. is a junior at GVSU studying English, focusing on secondary education, and minoring in Spanish. When not in class or at work, Seth can be found playing guitar, cooking, reading, watching Seinfeld or volunteering at Grand Valley’s Sustainable Agriculture Project. Extensive research has found that the keys to Seth’s heart include, but are not limited to: extra dark chocolate, quality time gardening/organic farming, Norah Jones, cooking, murder mystery parties, his two-year-old niece and storytelling events. Most importantly, Seth is über stoked to meet with you at the Writing Center this year!

Citation specialization: MLA

Major: English

Minor: Writing

Sara K. is a sophomore working towards an English Literature Major and Writing Minor. If you ever see her rolling around campus offer to push her because wheeling around all day gets tiring! The reason she is in a wheelchair is because she was born with Cerebral Palsy, but she won't let that stop her from doing anything she puts her mind to. On to the more serious things, she loves watching Netflix and there is not a show on prime time television that she hasn't at least watched an episode of. She also is very excited to start working at the writing center to answer any writing questions people might have! 

Citation specialization: MLA

Major: English Literature & Creative Writing

Minor: Advertising & Public Relations

Marissa K. is a senior 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.

Citation specialization: MLA

Major: English Literature & Language

Minor: Writing

Allison R. is currently a junior and is working towards a major in English Literature & Language with a minor in writing. She is a lover of elephants, anything Disney, yoga, old movies, spending time up north at her family’s cottage in Canada, Criminal Minds, and traveling. The most interesting place she has traveled to is Ghana, Africa, where she studied abroad during the summer of 2013. She has had a couple poems published in Grand Valley’s publication, Running Out of Ink and always loves reading other students’ poetry. As for the future, she hopes to continue doing what she loves--living by the mantra, “always do what scares you” and working in the realm of literature and writing.

Citation specialization: MLA

Major: English

Minor: History & Writing

Kevin J. is in his senior 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.

Citation specialization: MLA

Major: English Literature and Legal Studies

Minor: Non-Profit Administration

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.

Citation specialization: MLA

Major: English Secondary Education

Minor: Math

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.

Citation specialization: MLA

Major: English Literature & History

Minor: Writing

Katie C. is a junior 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!

Citation specialization: MLA

Major: English

Minor: History

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.

Citation specialization: MLA

Major: English

Minor: Applied Linguistics

Whitney P. is a Junior majoring in English with a minor in Applied Linguistics. She loves her three pet cacti, her far too large collection of books, autumn weather, and playing music on her piano keyboard when nobody is listening. On her dresser you would find a very well loved Sudoku book, a jar of salted peanuts, and a little TARDIS replica (complete with sound effects and lights, of course). After she graduates, she hopes to pursue a career in editing and publishing and to visit her birthplace in England.

Citation specialization: MLA

Major: English language and Literature

Minor: Women and Gender Studies

Caleb M. is a junior, currently pursuing a BA in English language and literature, with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. Before he settled on this major and minor, Caleb took classes in virtually every major under the sun, and has quite a few good stories to tell about them all. In his free time, which he is convinced does not exist, he enjoys reading anything he can get his hands on, debating the finer points of intersectional feminism, and geeking out about Harry Potter.

Citation specialization: Chicago

Major: Exercise Science

Jamie V. is a second year student at GVSU and is an Exercise Science major hoping to pursue physical therapy as a career.  She hopes to complete her D.P.T at Grand Valley after finishing her undergrad.  Her favorite animal is the giraffe.  She loves writing and spent a lot of her time in the writing center at her high school.  She’s from the suburbs of Chicago.  When not working on her homework, she enjoys scrolling through Netflix and watching a variety of different movies.  She also loves playing old-school Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon games on her play station when she’s home.  While on campus, she also loves to explore the ravines and roller blade all over.

Citation specialization: MLA

Major: Exercise Science

Minor: Psychology

Erin B. is an Exercise Science major with a Psychology minor at Grand Valley. She is currently a junior and hopes to one day become an Occupational Therapist so she can help people with physical and mental disabilities. Erin loves to travel, and her favorite state is Colorado. In the future she hopes to see more of the west and to study abroad. Her hobbies include reading, downing caffeine, playing guitar and piano, running like she stole something, volunteering, creative writing, being outdoors, and her Netflix addiction. This year, she is also the Treasurer of the Pre-Occupational Therapy Club on campus. She is very excited to be helping with the writing center this year!

Citation specialization: APA

History

Major: History

Minor: Computer Science

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.

Citation specialization: Chicago

Music

Major: Music & Public and Nonprofit Administration 

Consisting solely of optimism, good intentions, and campy songs, Niko S. likes to consider himself proficient at euphonium, trombone, guitar, piano, and vocal performance. From the beginning of time itself, he has been crafting his networking game and quirky indie-pop in-your-face lyricism, confirming his status as the next real American Cowboy. He speaks primarily in metaphors, and has an entirely new collection of mannerisms (and favorite artists) every week. He enjoys caterwauling in the shower, consuming everything as though it were art, bothering strangers, taking the audience to the corners of their mind (and patience), and occasionally trying to create post-modern poetry.

Citation specialization: MLA

Nonprofit Administration

Major: Nonprofit Administration & Psychology

Sarah A. is a junior and a double major in Psychology and Public and Nonprofit Administration.  She works both in the Writing Center and as a Dispatcher for Pew Campus Security.  Sarah is a member if the Gamma Phi Beta sorority as well as the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.  She is originally from Bolingbrook, IL (yes, that's in the general vicinity if Chicago) and went to a boarding school for high school.  In her little free time she enjoys reading, swimming, and watching movies.  She also loves cats.

Citation specialization: APA

Philosophy

Major: Psychology & Philosophy

Andrew B. is a fifth year senior double-majoring in Psychology and Philosophy and is in the midst of his second year at the Writing Center. He is currently applying to Ph.D. programs in Counseling Psychology and hopes to end up in the city of Boston. Although much of his day is spent in the Writing Center, he is also the President of the GVSU Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society and works as a Peer Educator in the Counseling Center. This semester, Andrew is also working with a psychology professor on independent research that will hopefully turn into a published academic paper. In order to fit all of that in every day, he enjoys coffee in its various forms, especially cappuccino, preferably in large quantities spread throughout the day. If empty space manages to find its way into his schedule, he enjoys cycling, cooking, spending time with friends, watching almost any sport, using sarcasm as much as possible, and writing, including his newly found passion for self-publishing books.

Citation specialization: APA

Major: Philosophy

Minor: Religious Studies

Matt W. studies philosophy and religion with interests in critical theory, the practice of everyday life, geography, psychoanalysis, and radical theology. When not at the writing center, he enjoys waking up early, playing solitaire, and reading the paper. He has three city chickens -- Scarlett, Penelope, and Rutabaga -- and a husk named Vera. 

Citation specialization: Chicago

Physics

Major: Physics & Music

Minor: Math

As a double major in physics and music, Julia G. spends a lot of time at school. When she is not wasting away in a school-owned structure, she is probably running an obscene amount of miles down Lake Michigan Drive. She is one of two caretakers of Lucy, the three-legged cat and is of the opinion that maple syrup and cayenne pepper have a place in every recipe. Her future plans include producing a concert series highlighting new and student-composed music in the Mary Idema Library during the 2014-2015 school year (so all three of you who read this should come), pursuing graduate study in both oboe performance and music theory, as well as imposing a new world order in which the social hierarchy is based upon blood type (with 0-, obviously, at the top). 

Citation specialization: APA

Psychology

Major: Psychology

Minor: Criminal Justice & Juvenile Justice

Michelle R. is a sophomore majoring in Psychology and double minoring in Criminal Justice and Juvenile Justice. She hopes to go to graduate school for Occupational Therapy and eventually incorporate OT work into the prison system. She's terrified of hospitals, and if you ever get in a car with her, double buckle your seat belt. She was born in California, loves the beach, and would live outside if she could. She can't wait to help you.

Citation specialization: APA

Major: Psychology

Minor: Sociology

Mia F. is a sophomore this year and is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. Aside from a love of writing and reading, she has played tennis her entire life. In the summers, she works at a leadership and tennis program for kids but maintains an incredibly unhealthy relationship with Netflix year round. Nothing makes her happier than roller coasters, people holding doors for her and hedgehogs. She considers herself unusually skilled at getting sunburns in unfortunate places and tripping up stairs. In the future, she hopes to use her degree to help people find happiness and understanding.  

Major: Psychology

Minor: Applied Statistics and Writing

Elizabeth (Liz) W. is a second-year writing consultant and a newly declared (finally!) double major in Psychology and Communications. This spunky, self-proclaimed Netflix addict and borderline shopaholic is still figuring out what she wants to be when she grows up. Though her life may be in slight disarray and her courses bridge many subjects, her magic 8-ball reassures her she shall prevail. Her hobbies include dancing, eating, exercising, writing, reading, tom-foolery, knitting (don't laugh), arts and crafts, playing any Super Mario Bros game, and pranking her friends. In the future, she hopes to be doing something that she loves (and pays well).

Citation specialization: MLA

Major: Psychology

Minor: Sociology

Shannon O. is a senior majoring in Psychology, minoring in Sociology, and is honored to be a writing consultant this year. On Grand Valley’s campus, she is a member of the Psi Chi International Honor Society for Psychology Students, a student organization called The Russian Circle, and is involved in doing some pretty awesome lab research. Her interests include: running (who does that for fun?), reading, cooking, writing, chilling out with friends, getting to know new people, learning/hearing about different cultures, and of course, making crafts from Pinterest. After graduation, she plans to earn her Master’s degree in either Social Work or Counseling (decisions, decisions), and hopes to make a difference in the community. She is extremely excited to extend her passion of writing to others, and to help people succeed!

Citation specialization: APA

Social Work

Major: Social Work

Minor: Psychology

Madeline V. is a sophomore majoring in Social Work with a minor in Psychology.  On campus she is involved with the Honors College and Intervarsity.  This summer, she studied abroad in the Dominican Republic, where she discovered her passions for plantains, jumping off of waterfalls, and long tanning sessions on the beach.  Madeline also enjoys Thai food, riding horses, singing in the car, working out, baking, the color pink, buying dresses, acoustic music, oxford commas, and binge watching dramas on Netflix.  Madeline is super excited to be working in the Writing Center and can't wait to help you!

Citation specialization: MLA

Statistics

Major: Statistics

Minor: Writing

Steven K is a current sophomore at GVSU. His current ambition is to attain a career in actuary science while watching all seasons of The Wire, The Sopranos, and Breaking Bad (though that one will probably be accomplished soon). Steven is currently majoring in statistics and minoring in writing. He enjoys watching movies, television shows, reading good books and comic books (graphic novels to be exact), spending time with friends, making new friends, telling jokes, listening to and reviewing music, and making conscious rap music (though he likes to keep that one on the "Down Low"). 

Citation specialty: MLA

Studio Art

Major: Studio Art

Kyla T. is a senior majoring in Studio art with an emphasis in illustration. Her interests include all things pop culture. She’s interested in cheesy TV dramas, especially Gossip Girl and Revenge. She loves everything related to music: dancing, movie musicals (RENT is her favorite), radio, and everything else. Fiona Apple, Usher, Beyoncé, and Danity Kane are her music obsessions. When she graduates, Kyla hopes to have a successful career in graphic design and editorial Illustration. Kyla is excited to be a writing consultant this year and looks forward to helping out her peers. 

Citation specialization: MLA

Writing

Major: Writing

Paige D. is a Junior Writing and Film/Video major in the Honors College. She enjoys fantastical literature, philosophical conversation, writing fiction, sipping coffee, smooth jazz and parallel lists. One can always bet that she is re-reading Harry Potter for the umpteenth time while trying to become the very best, like no one ever was. Paige is also extremely proud of her Michigan heritage—as winter is always coming—and one tag line she likes to add to that statement every once in a while is “Valar morghulis.” In the future, she would like to travel to England and see Platform Nine and Three Quarters herself and—while over in England—perhaps pursue a Masters of Fine Arts for Creative Writing/Scriptwriting. Until then she will keep participating in the Student Reading Series, fishladder, GVTV, Swing Dance Club, and any other organizations she can join with fervor.

Citation specialization: MLA

Hello! I'm Kelsey M. I grew up in Grand Rapids and am so excited to be attending university so close to home. I love writing and have chosen my major accordingly. I use poetry and essays to speak my mind. The things I am passionate about become single-minded and unashamedly honest in poetry. Thoughts I usually have trouble articulating find words and images when I'm writing. I hope to write professionally for an organization, company, government entity, or simply an individual. I had several unique opportunities since graduating high school, including working and living in Washington, D.C. and tutoring students at Grand Rapids Community College. One fun fact is that I enjoy flossing my teeth! I look forward to meeting new students in the Writing Center. Here's to a great semester for both you and me!

Citation specialization: MLA

Major: Writing

Minor: English

Rose W. is a senior Writing major and English minor! Evidently, she likes to read & write. She also enjoys spending her time with family, friends, or movie theatres. Since she is graduating this year, she has high aspirations of being an EGOT winner (that is an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony). Candy and Flaming Hot Cheetos are her muse.

She also love naps. A lot.

Citation specialization: MLA

Major: Writing

Michelle K. is a junior majoring in Writing. This is her second year at the Writing Center and is very grateful, and excited for a new year with spectacular students and a wonderful staff. As far as a career goes, she hopes to one day inspire the hearts of new freshman to love, and cherish writing as much as she does in her own classroom at a University. She loves elephants, enjoys a good discussion on babies, and is in love with the Oxford Comma. In her spare time Michelle likes to watch YouTube make-up and hair tutorials, listen to music, color coat and organize everything in her life, and talk to her fish Betty.