Amanda Arp, Writing Retreat Coordinator

English: Ph.D., Rhetoric and Professional Communication & Women's and Gender Studies

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Clutier, IA

Favorite word: Fluffy

Hobbies: Quilting, reading, writing, and gaming

Favorite part of working at the WMC: Helping students achieve their writing goals and learn more about communicating in the process.

Sarah Chase, Spring 2022 Pedagogy Coordinator

Graduate student: Social and Cultural Studies of Education

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Oelwein, IA

Favorite word: veracity

Hobbies: Outside of teaching, I enjoy being outside, cuddling with my dog, and nerding out over games, movies, TV shows, books, comics, etc.

Favorite part of working at the WMC: I'm excited to help y'all work toward your personal goals and improve your communication skills.  

Yahan Chang

Senior: Mechanical Engineering and Energy Systems

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Favorite word: Sub specie aeternitatis

Hobbies: Painting, baking, gardening, working out, investing, learning new things, and meeting new people

Favorite part of working at the WMC: My favorite part of working at the WMC is being able to interact with students and faculty from a variety of colleges and backgrounds.

Vivian Cook

MS, Sustainable Agriculture and Community Development

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Prescott, Arizona

Favorite word: Luminescence

Hobbies: Baking, gardening, taking long walks, dancing, and listening to and playing music

Favorite part of working at the WMC: Listening to the voices of my peers at ISU and learning about the many stories, interests, and discoveries that exist within our community.

Leila Doric 

Senior: Political Science

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Urbandale, Iowa

Favorite word: Gobsmacked 

Hobbies: Being able to relax with my friends, reading manga/watching anime, the daily New York Times cross-word

Favorite part of working at the WMC: The fact I get to help others make their papers as perfect as possible. I will also be able to see their different writing styles and maybe gain some inspiration for my own!

Lily Fiihr

Sophomore: Political Science and African American Studies

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Des Moines, IA

Favorite word: Confluence

Hobbies: Reading and spending time with my family 

Favorite part of working at the WMC: Getting to hear other students' perspectives and work in a positive environment. 

Alexa Gormley, Media Coordinator

Senior: Animal Science & Meat Science

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Marion, IA

Favorite word: Pumpernickle

Hobbies: Dancing, spending time with my dog, cooking, and staying busy

Favorite part of working at the WMC: I love working at the WMC because of the connections I have been able to make with coworkers and clients. I appreciate every single person who walks into our office!

Jennifer Godbersen

Sophomore: Linguistics, minor in Spanish

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Ida Grove, Iowa

Favorite word: Idyllic

Hobbies: Taking care of my houseplants, reading, painting, and spending time with friends.

Favorite part of working at the WMC: Helping others achieve their goals and gain confidence in their work!

Elizabeth Helmick

2nd year Master's student in English

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Henderson, Nevada

Favorite word: Abyss

Hobbies: Classic literature, film, traveling, eating, nature walks, yoga, and smelling all the candles in grocery stores

Favorite part of working at the WMC: Helping students brainstorm for their passion projects.

Britt Jungck

PhD candidate, Education

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Berkley, IA

Favorite word: Tenacity

Hobbies: Reading biographies, traveling to new places, being the loudest soccer mom at the pitch, writing editorials, working on our farm

Favorite part of working at the WMC: I love meeting new people and helping people build confidence in themselves as writers. I am hoping to alleviate stress for my fellow students. 

Haeun Kim

English: Ph.D., Applied Linguistics & Technology

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Daegu, South Korea

Favorite word: Mesmerizing

Hobbies: Listening to music, playing the ukelele, photography, and traveling

Favorite part of working at the WMC: I am so excited at the thought of meeting new people at the WMC and working together to help students become better writers/communicators.

Farrah Lewis

Sophomore: Linguistics, minor in English

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Rock Rapids, IA

Favorite word: Epitome

Hobbies: Reading all genres of novels, playing volleyball, listening to music, and enjoying the outdoors

Favorite part of working at the WMC: all of the different people I get to meet and create friendships with! 

Abby Mankins

M.Ed.: Student Affairs

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Des Moines, IA

Favorite word: Colloquial

Hobbies: Being outdoors in any capacity (walking, biking, camping, hiking, really anything).

Favorite part of working at the WMC: My favorite part about working at the WMC is forming long-lasting relationships with the students with whom I regularly meet. I learn new things from every single student, and it makes this job exciting and challenging. I also love getting to know my coworkers, as many employees at the WMC are in completely different fields than I am.

Rory McDermott

Sophomore: Psychology

Pronouns: he, him, his

Hometown: Madrid, IA

Favorite word: Endurance

Hobbies: Running, watching sports and movies, doing homework, and hanging out with friends

Favorite part of working at the WMC: I enjoy meeting other students, helping wherever I can, and seeing first-hand the results of their hard work!

Tara Munjuluri 

Freshman: Computer Science

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Waukee, IA

Favorite word: Plethora

Hobbies: Shopping, watching Netflix, and reading

Favorite part of working at the WMC: I am looking forward to meeting people with various backgrounds and being able to offer my perspective while gaining a new one as well. I am excited to guide my peers and help them find their author's voice.

Emily Neitzel

Senior: English, Spanish, & General Business

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Mokena, IL

Favorite word: Inspire

Hobbies: Reading, hanging out with friends, and going to sporting events

Favorite part of working at the WMC: I’m most excited to meet new people and help others with their writing skills.

Angeline Neo

Graduate student: Graphic Design

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Favorite word: Phenomenal

Hobbies: Drawing, singing, playing piano, reading 

Favorite part of working at the WMC: I hope to use my skills and knowledge to help students achieve their academic goals and grow myself through this experience.

Jack Nichols

Senior: Political Science and Speech Communications

Pronouns: he, him, his

Hometown: Des Moines, IA

Favorite word: Behoove

Hobbies: Playing guitar, adding to my ever growing vinyl record collection, playing video games, and reading

Favorite part of working at the WMC: Getting to grow my skills and knowledge while also helping others learn at the same time.

Benjamin Nuckolls

Senior: Psychology

Pronouns: he, him, his

Hometown: Early, IA

Favorite word: Verschlimmbesserung

Hobbies: Theatre (acting), reading, professional and creative writing, German, spending time with my family, and watching movies.

Favorite part of working at the WMC: I am looking forward to helping my fellow students improve their communication skills and seeing them succeed in the field of academia.

Walker Ochs

Senior: Global Resource Systems, Environmental Studies, Spanish

Pronouns: he, him, his

Hometown: Cedar Rapids, IA

Favorite word: Kitty

Hobbies: Biking, hiking, reading, tennis, thrifting

Favorite part of working at the WMC:  Meeting all the amazingly intelligent and kind people that exist in our community. The sheer variety of disciplines and assignments that I come across is staggering, and I love it. People are so unique and interesting everywhere you go, but especially here at the WMC.

Jill Olson

Senior: Psychology, Spanish, and Teaching English as a Second Language

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Mahtomedi, MN

Favorite word: Ephemeral

Hobbies: Dancing, reading, cooking

Favorite part of working at the WMC: I love helping students develop their own voice and confidence in their work. All students deserve the opportunity to succeed in their courses and careers, so it is really rewarding to help people achieve these goals. 

Grace Peterson

Senior: Anthropology and Spanish

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Spirit Lake, IA

Favorite word: Strange

Hobbies: Farming, reading, writing, collaging, film photography, cooking, yoga & tai chi

Favorite part of working at the WMC: Connecting with my peers in an academic setting.

Aditi Pokharkar

Sophomore: Economics, minor in Data Science

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Mumbai, India

Favorite word: Serendipity 

Hobbies: Singing, reading and, playing sports

Favorite part of working at the WMC: I love to meet new people and build connections from across the world!

Mara Prochaska

Freshman: Computer Engineering

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Plymouth, MN

Favorite word: Oleaginous

Hobbies: Nordic skiing, piano, and baking

Danielle Robinson

Sophomore: English

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Pella, IA

Favorite word: Wizardry

Hobbies: When not reading or writing, I like to sculpt ceramic animals, ramble about superhero comics, and play board games!

Favorite part of working at the WMC: I love listening to people explain their interests, and I enjoy the process of getting thoughts organized on paper, so I'm excited to help people express their passions in writing!

Jennessa Sharratt

Junior: Dietetics

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Fort Eustis, Virginia

Favorite word: Phenomenon

Hobbies: Being actively involved in Greek Life and adventuring. 

Favorite part of working at the WMC: I love learning the disciplines of other students and helping them to become more confident communicators. It's interesting to see the creativity and originality of the students I work with, and I learn a lot myself!

Avery Staker

Junior: Journalism & Mass Communications and Spanish

Pronouns: they, she, he

Hometown: Farley, IA

Favorite word: Mariposa (Spanish for butterfly)

Hobbies: Anything creative—sewing, painting, house projects

Favorite part of working at the WMC: Getting to know my coworkers and working in a genuinely supportive and caring environment!

Xander Toftness

Graduate student (PhD candidate): Cognitive Psychology

Pronouns: he, him, his

Hometown: River Falls, Wisconsin

Favorite word: Mustachioed

Hobbies: I enjoy creating educational videos for my ARTexplains YouTube channel, reading non-fiction or science fiction, and watching nature videos with my cat Sabrina.

Favorite part of working at the WMC: I love having conversations about the writing process and discussing exciting writing topics!

Kennedy Varisco

Senior: English Education, Spanish, and Journalism & Mass Communication

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Altoona, IA

Favorite word: Steadfast

Hobbies: My favorite hobbies include reading, working out, spending time with friends, playing with my dogs, or checking out the local businesses/coffee shops. I like to shop small! 

Favorite part of working at the WMC: I am looking forward to meeting new people and getting to indulge in their writing with them. I think that writing is a very personal and vulnerable thing and I personally want to ensure that the individuals I work with understand that their words matter.

Mackenzie Vogt

Sophomore: English and Anthropology

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Grand Island, Nebraska

Favorite Word: Rude

Hobbies: Reading, writing, listening to music, and watching my favorite shows (Monk and Bones).

Favorite part of working at the WMC: I'm most excited about working here to be able to help people. It's one of the most fulfilling things in the world to be able to help someone and getting to do that everyday here will be amazing. 

Jensen Wilke

Senior: Speech Communication, Spanish, & Performing Arts

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hometown: Panora, IA

Favorite word: Effervescence

Hobbies: I love to run, play soccer, read books, and watch psychological thriller films (I love a great plot twist). When school is in session I love to partake in plays with ISU Theatre!

Favorite part of working at the WMC: I have always enjoyed the positive and welcoming environment at the Writing and Media Center, so I am very excited to be a part of it! I particularly look forward to helping others with their public speaking and speech-making skills!