1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? 

Of course! My name is Rachael (MW) and I am a second year MA student in Rehabilitation Counseling! I am from Comstock Park, Mi, which is a small town  just a few minutes north of Grand Rapids. I went to undergrad at Aquinas College  in Grand Rapids, where I studied psychology and biology. At the Writing Center, I am both the Bessey and Union coordinator. For fun, I like to read, go horseback riding, go thrifting, go camping, and spend time with my family and friends!

2. About Tucker?

Tucker is an English Cream Golden Retriever who is currently in training  to become a therapy dog! He just turned 1 and a half (his birthday is August 9th),  so he is very much still a puppy. His favorite activities include going to work at the  Writing Center, swimming, walks in the woods, and getting pup-cups from Biggby.

3. Has training Tucker influenced or supported your long term career goals? 

Absolutely! I am training Tucker to act as a therapy dog for my future  counseling clients. Therapy animals fall under the branch of animal-assisted  therapy, which has many physical and psychological benefits (such as reducing  stress/anxiety, lowering blood pressure, supporting pro-social behaviors, etc.). Having and training Tucker is thus a huge aspect of my future career plans!

4. What inspired you to train Tucker as a therapy dog, and how did you get started?

Growing up, I had always envisioned my future career to involve working with animals. I had considered becoming a veterinarian, owning a boarding facility, or even working at a zoo. But when I was in highschool, I had battled a thyroid disease, which had a huge impact on my life. Due to negative  experiences with the healthcare system, I had felt inspired to become a doctor; I wanted to help people in the ways my doctor was never able to help me. So when I was in undergrad, I had plans of graduating and going straight to medical  school. However, as I advanced in my studies and was simultaneously working  with folks who had Alzheimers and dementia, I learned I was much more interested in mental health. Thus, I switched my career plans yet again, and began focusing on becoming a counselor. This is when I realized I could combine both of my passions–animals and healthcare–to work as a counselor who provides animal-assisted therapy. I fully believe God allowed me to experience all  of the things I did in order to get me to this point in my journey!  

In terms of getting started with Tucker, I began researching therapy dogs at least a year or two before I even had him in my life. I learned about the training process, what breeds have the best temperament for this work, and all of the logistics that go into raising a puppy. From this, I knew I had wanted an English Cream Golden Retriever, because not only do they have the right personality for therapy work, but they’re also typically healthier than their American Golden Retriever counterparts. For reference, American goldens are darker colored (ranging from a dark golden to red) and are more prone to health complications due to a history of unhealthy breeding practices. Growing up, I had an American Golden Retriever who sadly passed when she was only 8 years old due to cancer. So, making sure I had a healthy dog was very important to me.  

I began thoroughly searching for a puppy shortly after moving to East Lansing and starting my classes at MSU. I actually stumbled across Tucker on a Craigslist ad, and knew right away he was a puppy I couldn’t pass by. Typically, Golden Retriever puppies can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000, but Tucker was only $600 (I like to joke I got Tucker on sale). As a college student with limited funds, I knew this was something I had to look into. But, I also knew  Tucker was going to need the right temperament for the goals I had in mind for  us. So, upon meeting Tucker when he was only 8 weeks old, I conducted what is known as a “puppy temperament test”. This test contained a series of steps, which measured how Tucker reacted to certain situations and sounds, and he needed to obtain all 3’s on the scoring sheet to indicate he had the right personality for therapy work. As I’m sure you could guess, Tucker passed the test and has been in my life since that very day! 

From there, my life consisted of going to work, going to class, training Tucker, and getting him healthy. I didn’t know it when I first brought Tucker home,  but quickly discovered he wasactually very, very sick. He had every type of worm a dog can get as well as two types of parasites, and it took months before Tucker  was feeling better. But, by the time Tucker was about 4 months old, he was healthy and fully vaccinated. This meant I could start training Tucker in public places, and I was able to start bringing him to my classes as well as the Writing  Center. This played a pivotal role in Tuckers training progress, as it socialized him and helped him learn what is expected of him when he is working. I will forever be so grateful to the Writing Center for all of their support throughout this process!

5.  Can you share a bit about Tucker’s personality and what makes him a good fit for therapy work?

Tucker is a very good boy. When he’s wearing his therapy dog vest, he  knows that he is supposed to be in ‘work mode’. When he’s working, he is very calm and will sleep the majority of the time. But when someone comes to say hello to him, he will always be happy to sit for pets and give kisses. He loves every person he has ever met, including young children as well as older adults. This is what makes him a good therapy dog: he is friendly, loving, and responds well to the directions I give him. Yet, when he’s not in work mode, he acts the  same as any other dog. A lot of people are surprised to learn Tucker has a very crazy side, where he runs around the house and tries to get into things he shouldn’t. He is a goofball and has the biggest, loveliest personality.  

6. What kind of training or certification process is Tucker going through? 
   

Since Tucker began coming to the Writing Center last spring, his training  has also included taking several classes. He took a general obedience class when he was around six months old, as well as a pre-therapy dog training class when he was 10 months old. Tucker also passed his AKC Canine Good Citizen test (which has a series of steps to test his training and manners) at 11 months old; this was very impressive because most dogs are much older and require more training before they can pass this test. Currently, Tucker is still in training.  He is taking a few private training lessons, and his certifying therapy dog class will be sometime later this spring! Once the certifying class is completed, he will officially be a therapy dog! 

7.  What’s a typical day like for you and Tucker when you’re both working in the center?

I always set my alarm two hours before Tucker and I are scheduled to be  in Bessey Hall in the morning. This gives me enough time to hit snooze for half an hour, get ready for the day, and feed Tucker breakfast and walk him outside to do his business. We then hop in the car and drive to campus. While at the Writing Center, I’ll usually tie Tucker to the table where I’m sitting, and he’ll sleep quietly while I do my work. He’ll also happily greet anyone who comes to the table, and sometimes people will come into the center specifically just to see Tucker; this always makes me so happy. After work, we’ll go for a walk, and I might take a short nap if I have time. In the past, my classes were all in person, but this semester they are all online. When my classes were in person, Tucker and I would head back to campus in the evenings. But now, we either go to the Union for my second Writing Center shift or work on coursework from home. Then at night, Tucker and I both eat dinner and head to bed so we can do it all again the next morning! 

8. How has having Tucker in the writing center changed the atmosphere or dynamic during your shifts?

I feel that having Tucker in the Writing Center has positively changed both the atmosphere and dynamic. He seems to make the center feel more warm and inviting, and our staff enjoy saying hello and goodbye to him when they arrive or leave their shifts. Tucker also acts as a source of stress relief and humor, which can help when someone is having a difficult day.

9. Do you notice any changes in how students engage with writing or with you as a tutor when Tucker is around?

Most writers who visit the center are often thrilled when they find I have a dog lying under the table, and they’re even more thrilled upon learning he is a therapy dog and that they are allowed to pet him. Having Tucker there often helps to create a sense of ease, especially when a writer is stressed or frustrated about an assignment they are working on. Having Tucker around often adds an extra layer of joy to each of my in-person appointments. 

10. What are some of the benefits you’ve observed in combining animal-assisted therapy with academic support?

Like mentioned, some of the benefits I’ve observed in combining animal-assisted therapy with academic support is stress and anxiety relief. Many students come into the Writing Center feeling overwhelmed by their assignments, but when they see Tucker, they forget about that stress for a moment and enjoy being with a dog. Tucker also has a way of creating a welcoming, calming atmosphere, which helps students to feel more comfortable discussing their writing. 

11. What’s the funniest or most unexpected thing Tucker has done while at the writing center? 

The funniest and most unexpected thing Tucker has done while at the Writing Center was jump on one of our former graduate assistant directors, Dr. Bethany Meadows. This occurred following our fall social event, where all of us in attendance wondered what would happen if I let Tucker off his leash. So, after closing all of the doors, we let Tucker have free reign of the center. He was confused and tremendously excited over his new found freedom, and thus, jumped (or rather, attempted to tackle) Bethany.

12. How has bringing Tucker to work shaped your own experience as a writing tutor?

I think having Tucker around has helped me to better connect with writers. When I start a face-to-face consultation, I always start by asking the writer if they like dogs and/or if they’re comfortable having a dog present at the table. Most of the time, writers are happy to see Tucker and give him lots of love. When this happens, I have found that this helps to set the tone of the consultation. Having Tucker around helps to provide students encouragement, and it seems to help make each consultation more personable and productive.

13. What advice would you give to someone considering incorporating a therapy animal into their work environment?

I would highly encourage anyone considering incorporating a therapy animal into their work environment to do it, as it is very fulfilling and well worth the effort! However, I would also advise them of the difficulties associated with training a therapy dog. It’s important to ensure the animal is well-trained, comfortable in different environments, and enjoys interacting with people. Not every dog is suited for therapy work, so understanding their temperament and training needs is crucial. It is also important to do your research! Therapy animals do not have the same access rights as service animals, so it is not legally required for employers or public entities to accommodate them. Yet, the impact a therapy animal can have on others makes all the effort completely worth any unexpected hurdles!

14. If Tucker could give writing advice, what do you think he’d say? 

I think Tucker would encourage the writer to just keep trying. I think Tucker is a firm believer in trying your best, and not to be discouraged when things don’t go as planned. I think Tucker would want the writer to always do what they can, even if that changes or looks different in different moments or times. 

15. What has been the most rewarding part of training Tucker as a therapy dog? 
    

Hands down, the most rewarding part of training Tucker as a therapy dog has been seeing all of the joy he brings to others. I am always thrilled when someone wants to spend time with Tucker, even if it is just a quick second to say hello and give him a pat on the head. By having Tucker around to bring others joy, it helps me to feel like I myself am able to bring other people joy. It is very fulfilling and rewarding, and I can confidently say I will never grow tired of it!  

16. Do you and Tucker have a favorite way to unwind after a long day? 
    

After a long day, Tucker and I both love to go to the dog park. When the weather is nice, we like to go there so Tucker can play with all the dogs as well as say hi to their owners. One of Tucker’s funnier quirks is that a lot of the time, after running to play with the dogs, he likes to sit at one of their owners’ feet so they’ll pet time. It’s very endearing to see the happiness this brings to the owners, because it’s not something other dogs typically do when they go to the dog park. And for another example, Tucker and I also love to unwind by taking naps and  sleeping in during the morning. Tucker sleeps in just as late as I do, and he is very polite to not wake me up early to feed him his breakfast. I often joke how he’s not a morning person (dog)!

17.  How has Tucker’s presence influenced your perspective on the role of emotional support in education?

Tucker’s presence has helped me to further see the value of emotional support in education. I’ve seen firsthand how his presence can transform a student’s experience—whether by providing comfort during a stressful moment, making the Writing Center feel more inviting, or helping with idea generating. His presence has shown me that learning isn’t just about academics; emotional well-being plays a huge role in a student’s ability to succeed. By integrating therapy animals or other forms of emotional support into educational  environments, we can create spaces that are not only academically enriching but also mentally and emotionally supportive.

18.  If Tucker could describe his experience in the writing center, what do you think he’d say?

I think Tucker would say, in a silly dog voice, “I love it. I love the people, I  love all my friends, and I love when I get to make new friends. My mom calls it going to work, but I call it going to see my friends. I wouldn’t want to do anything else or have my life any other way.” 

19. What is the most special part of your bond with Tucker? 

Tucker and I just seem to understand one another. He senses my moods, and I’m able to sense his moods. He means the world to me, and I know I mean the world to him. I love taking him with me just about everywhere I go, and when I can’t, it feels like a big part of me is missing. Having Tucker has been such a blessing in my life, and I truly don’t know what I would be doing without him. And I must say, whoever said ‘diamonds are a girl’s best friend’ never had a dog!

20. If you could describe Tucker in one word, what would it be?

Out of all of these questions, I think this has been the most difficult one to ponder. How do I choose just one word to encapsulate such a loving, unique, and quirky personality? But, if I had to, I would choose: irreplaceable. Tucker means the world to me, and although he has quirks just like any other dog, I wouldn’t wish for things to be any other way. Tucker has taught me so many valuable life lessons (patience, perseverance, etc.), and I know I am a better person because I have him in my life. At the end of the day, I just hope Tucker knows how loved and appreciated he is, not only by me (but mostly by me), but by everyone else he meets in his little (big) life.

 31 Questions with Grace Pregent, Director of the Writing Center | AMA Series

1. What’s your favorite color?

Black is the best color! The Pantone matching system has multiple black colors, so specifically, I’d say 19-0303 in the Pantone textile system. My partner works in digital color management, meaning we take this question seriously. 

2. What is something that is a sure way to brighten your day?

 I’m an outdoor enthusiast, and I’m continually looking for ways to do writing center work in nature and appreciate when we have meetings outside or write outside. We used to have a WC group that ran together on Fridays, and I’d love to get that going again.

3. What kind of pets do you have?

Currently our family includes an English Shepherd – Golden Retriever named Molly and a black cat named Riley. Chris would have goats if he could, and the kids would have horses, iguanas, and a pygmy hippo who would sleep on the top bunk bed.

4. What is a personal or professional goal you have for 2024?

This year I’m training for the Chicago Marathon, and I’m hoping for a strong race and a fun weekend with the running community. Professionally, I’m working with colleagues from the US, South Africa, and Uganda on an edited collection about writing centers in global contexts. That’s the project churning in my mind this year.

5. What are some activities you enjoy outside of writing center work?

 I like to lift, kayak, travel, and check out new restaurants in Grand Rapids. This year I’m reading more fiction and have 50 books as my goal (17.5/50 so far). Recommendations are very welcome.

6. What is your most used running routine?

We live close to the Flat River Valley Trail in Lowell, Michigan, and I’ve run that many times with friends, family, and the kids biking along.

7. How did you and your partner meet?

 Unsurprisingly, Chris and I met when we were both training for the Grand Rapids Marathon in 2016. We tried to run that marathon together, but it was a bit of a disaster. That’s another story though.

8. What’s an expensive item you would splurge on if you had all of the money in the world?

I would definitely splurge on a fun family trip! Professionally I would invest in scholarships for students wanting to study in other countries – both US students and students traveling to the US – to create more reciprocal education abroad opportunities.

9. If you could have a coffee date with anyone from history, who would you want to chat with?

I have some questions for George Eliot. 

10. What’s your go-to coffee order?

Starbucks, Grande Vanilla Sweet Cream Nitro Cold Brew

11. What is your favorite novel?

Does a short story collection count? Roman Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri was the first book I read this year, and it’s a fabulous gathering of portraits of life in and around contemporary Rome from multiple perspectives.

12. In an alternative reality, what would Grace be doing if not directing a writing center?

Grace might own or manage a small business of some kind. I like understanding organizations as living organisms with interrelated people and parts who work towards a common set of goals. I could also happily work for Airbnb.

13. What advice would you give your undergrad self?

Relax, Grace.

14. What’s your favorite (or top few) book or other media?

 Recently I finished listening to Care Work again, and I learn more every time I read and dialogue with friends about that work. Everything Everywhere All At Once is my current favorite film.

15. How did you get involved with care work of the North Country Trail?

During the pandemic, we learned that NCT headquarters is in our hometown. We signed up for the Hike 100 Challenge in 2020 and then slowly hiked those miles, usually 2 or 4 miles at a time, as a family. I was elected to the local board chapter the following year.

16. What do you find rewarding about this work?

The NCT means so much to me and my family and was just what we needed in 2020. It’s really rewarding to be involved in planning community hikes, work days, guest speaker events, and other opportunities to “develop, maintain, protect, and promote” the NCT, the longest National Scenic Trail in America (4800 miles).

17. Has your understanding of how race and racism shape the functioning of Writing Centers changed throughout your time/various roles within WCs? If so, how?

My understanding of how race and racism shape writing centers continually evolves along with my own ongoing learning/unlearning. Within MSU’s Writing Center, we frequently consider how our center is part of a predominately white institution and exists within structures that perpetuate racism and that the writing center itself as an organization can cause and has caused harm. We also know that writing centers are uniquely positioned to contribute to social and institutional transformation. I do believe that through partnerships around writing we can work towards change on so many levels, and I’m here for that work together.

18. What is a skill you would like to strengthen?

We’re all balancing so many things. With commuting, running, work, and family, I enjoy finding new or different time management tools and strategies. Also in the Writing Center, we speak about omnidirectional mentorship or pervasive cultures of mentorship, and I’d like to strengthen how we understand and implement that with our team.

19. Have you ever gone on a solo trip? If so, where?

 I’ve done a few solo trips and have great memories of a long weekend in Paris in my early 20s. A university partnership summit brought me to Pretoria, South Africa, last year, and that was an incredible experience. I would love to do a solo backpacking trip on the NCT.

20. In thinking about what a Director of a WC does on a large and small scale, is there anything that the role requires that you weren’t necessarily expecting? If there is, what experience do you feel like best prepared you or that you draw from the most to address that requirement?

When I was moving into writing center administration, I remember learning what “emotional labor” is and finally having the language to describe it. There’s an expanding amount of research on emotional labor in writing center work (thinking The Things We Carry and many other sources) and creating your own care networks or care webs. I’m always learning more about being a writing center director, and I am so grateful for colleagues with different positions within the writing center, our college (shoutout to CAL staff!), the university, and the field who share their knowledge, expertise, and time.

21. What would you say is one of your top strengths?

 According to the Clifton strengths assessment, my top five strengths are Strategic, Learner, Achiever, Futuristic, and Connectedness. Clifton should probably include “finding great Airbnbs” as a strength.

22. What are your thoughts on Generation Z?

 Broadly I think making generalizations about groups of people based on when they were born perpetuates stereotypes and harmful or inaccurate assumptions.

23. What are you looking forward to in the coming months?

 I love summers in MSU’s Writing Center, and we have two associate directors joining the team shortly. I’m really looking forward to working with them and our summer team on special projects. I’m also excited to run in warmer weather and spend some late afternoons at Lake Michigan.

24. If you could instantly become an expert in something, what would it be?

 I would love to know more languages and to know more about moss because we have so much to learn from moss. Lastly, I would very reluctantly say Excel because it would be useful. So languages, moss, Excel.

25. What do you like most about being a parent?

 So many things. I really like hearing all their current interests and dreams for the future. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed going on their field trips, and lately we’re big into puzzles and using the Merlin Bird ID app to learn about the birds in our backyard.

26. What’s the longest trip you’ve ever taken?

My longest flight is from Johannesburg to Atlanta (16+ hours). I did a few epic road trips with friends in college. We drove from Dallas to Ottawa for my brother’s wedding and from near DC to Denver to visit with my sister and her family.

27. What’s the most memorable gift you’ve received?

 If we’re thinking of material gifts, I’d say a push broom when I was 8 years old. Otherwise the gifts that come to mind are when people share their time like when friends show up to cheer at a race. I’m recalling a visit with a friend and colleague when traveling for a conference and how she made time to show me her city, share coffee, and romp around Woolworths.  

28. What is your love language?

Quality time – see answer above!

29. If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

The kids say fun, happy, and “sometimes funny.” I like to think that I’m athletic, thoughtful, and more than just “sometimes” funny.

30. What’s your biggest pet peeve?

This might be the hardest question. I’d say probably aggressive drivers but maybe when the toilet paper roll isn’t replaced.

31. If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I eat an excessive amount of salmon. Truly. I really resonate with those brown bears stocking up on salmon in July and August. It’s so good.

Building Community through Writing Center Craft and Activity Stations

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By Katie Filion

Considering the plethora of in-person support services offered in community spaces, writing centers were hit especially hard by transitions to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, writing centers adapted their practice to include new modalities for staff and students to thrive in these ever-changing learning environments. While these efforts increased the reach and accessibility of many services, the official return to in-person centers over the past 2 years revealed obstacles. Specifically, the transition to in-person socialization among peers and across roles has led to isolation within writing centers. As we work to rebuild from tragedy, prioritizing self-care and community building becomes essential for recreating writing center locations as safe and resourceful spaces of friendship, inclusion, and creativity we all want to work in again.

Upon brainstorming ways to bring our Writing Center community together at MSU in the wake of both the COVID-19 pandemic and the events of 2/13/23, I relied on the strengths that come most naturally to me. With a background in summer camp programming and residence life, I decided to utilize my talents (and giant collection of supplies) to pilot monthly craft and activity stations in our main Writing Center location. Right off the bat, the stations were a success!

Beginning with a DIY beaded bracelet station for students to create Spartan Strong bracelets in solidarity with one another, I instantly understood the importance of developing thoughtful stations with clear intentions. During the summer, we created friendship bracelets while enjoying the benefits of an on-site snow cone machine, which helped emulate a summer-camp-like atmosphere. Heading into the fall, we folded 1,000 Japanese wishing stars together and proudly designed our own pronoun buttons, which were manually processed by the BRILLIANT Bessey staff. Then, we created fall-inspired bookmarks and wooden pumpkins before completing a giant autumn coloring page which you can spot above the Bessey printer. In the winter, we crafted valentines, made paper snowflakes, customized glitter calming bottles, shared book recommendations, and enjoyed a hot cocoa bar. Additionally, we designed our own wooden pencils which currently display the individuality of our staff around the Bessey SOA desk. When you stop by Bessey this March, you can find mystery dot-to-dots as well as materials and instructions to make Rexlace keychains!

When designed thoughtfully, I witnessed how the implementation of craft and activity stations in writing center spaces provide an outlet for staff and students to gather, socialize, and collaborate across roles through different mediums, fostering a sense of belonging. When participants share in the joy and difficulties of learning a new skill via stations, they build community, reduce stress, focus their mind, and engage in self-care. Since stations have often served as a draw for students passing by the space to check out the monthly craft, they also help create a dialogue about the work we do, making them more likely to book an appointment with us down the line. At their best, craft and activity stations champion the idea that writing centers should be community spaces in which diverse learning occurs daily and creativity is endless.

After a year of successful implementation, I pushed myself to create a guide for others based on what I learned from my community-building passion project. After receiving funding from the Writing Center as well as a travel scholarship, I traveled to Pittsburgh, PA, where I presented “Building Community and Breaking Clichés through Craft and Activity Stations” at the National Conference for Peer Tutoring in Writing. Instead of a traditional presentation, I developed a comprehensive how-to pamphlet on craft and activity stations so my audience would have a tangible resource to take home with them. Within the pamphlet, I shared my intent for creating the stations, seven key steps for folks interested in designing their own stations, and helpful tips to make them successful. Then, I included examples of my stations, general takeaways, and guiding questions for folks to determine what kind of stations might work best in their space.

Visit linktr.ee/filionka to view the digital pamphlet as well as the flyer templates, materials lists, and display photos from which you can draw inspiration to create your own stations one day! Considering my positive experience meeting like-minded consultants and learning about innovative writing center practices, I highly recommend attending NCPTW to explore a new city, learn from other centers, and present your own work in a supportive environment. As always, thank you to my team at the MSU Writing Center for sponsoring part of my trip, supporting all my community-building ideas, and giving me the opportunity to blend my passion for student affairs and writing centers daily.

Writing Center Ecologies: Drawing Insights from Environmental Systems to Shape Professional Development

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By Jeanetta Mohlke-Hill

Each year, the Writing Center at Michigan State University (MSU) has hosted a speaker series and workshops as professional development (PD) for writing center staff. Both the speaker series and the workshops are planned and organized around a specific theme that considers important conversations as writing center practitioners. This academic year, we focused our PD series on the theme of ecology.

Now, you might ask: What’s the connection between writing centers and ecology? Trust me, you wouldn’t be the first to ask. For this series, we defined ecology as a metaphor illustrating the interdependence of living and nonliving actors within writing center spaces, as well as a tool for understanding the way power circulates within these spaces. Drawing on insights from ecology and environmental justice, our goal was to take inspiration from environmental systems and cross-disciplinary knowledge about ecology to enhance our writing center practices, actions, and policies.

To do this, our PD staff meetings kicked off with experiential learning events outdoors in the Michigan autumn. Our first event commenced with a tour of our university’s botanical garden led by Angelica Bajos, the Nurture Your Roots Wellbeing Program Coordinator. She guided us through mindfulness exercises that sought to deepen our understanding of ourselves and our place in nature. She encouraged us to think about the garden as an interdisciplinary space, not just for the sciences, but a place for the arts and humanities as well. This mirrors the writing center’s role as an interdisciplinary environment, where consultants do not need to be experts in all fields or genres of writing. Instead, they use their skills to adapt to different writing situations in a way that prioritizes the writer’s voice and expression.

Our next staff meeting took place at the MSU Horticulture Teaching and Research Center where Chayce Griffith, a PhD student studying horticulture, guided us through the teaching orchard to discuss the relationships between people and agricultural systems. His presentation prompted a reflection on how human behavior, decision-making, and power dynamics shape an ecosystem, emphasizing that these elements are far from neutral. Instead, they reveal the dynamic ways in which social and political factors shape the environment— a phenomenon extending to educational spaces like our writing center.

Later in the semester, Kimberly Steed-Page, the Director of MSU’s Student Parent Resource Center, led us in a conversation centered on exploring ecological models of social justice work. She guided us in understanding our positionality, emphasizing the importance of recognizing how our identities shape our roles at the writing center staff and society at large. She encouraged engaging in “positive disruption,” which embodies intentional and constructive changes to existing systems and practices aimed at challenging stagnant norms to cultivate a more just and inclusive environment.

Within our writing center community, adopting ecology as a lens has become a means to nurture awareness and contemplation on the relationships between consultants and writers within a diverse ecosystem of programs, identities, cultures, and ideas. An ecological approach to writing center work provides us the space to emphasize systemic issues that surface in our writing center ecosystem and the broader landscape of higher education. In this context, cultivating a sustainable writing center ecology necessitates crafting practices, projects, and policies that are adaptable and flexible in response to social issues— all with the goal of promoting healthy relationships between the people, spaces, and systems in writing center work as they inevitably undergo change, growth, and evolution.

31 Questions with Lia, our International Partnership Coordinator | AMA Series

1. What are your favorite Korean convenience store snacks/drinks?

Great question! I love triangle kimbap (it kind of looks like Japanese onigiri), honey butter chips, and barley tea!

2. What’s your favorite video game of all time?

Hands down, Legend of Zelda. Twilight Princess has a special place in my heart since it was the first one I ever played. But I also really love Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

3. What video game world would you choose to inhabit if you could?

I think I would have to go with Hyrule (from Legend of Zelda). It’s just so pretty!

4. What is your go-to strategy game when playing with friends?

When playing with friends, I really like playing Catan or Ticket to Ride.

5. How did you go about choosing your cat’s name?

I actually didn’t choose his name. Surge was the name that he was given at the shelter we got him from out in Washington state. Caleb (my husband, for those who don’t know) and I liked the name so we didn’t change it.

6. Of all the places you lived and/or visited, which one is your most favorite?

I think that my favorite place would have to be either Osaka or Jeju Island. Osaka has a really great mix of quiet, beautiful places, historical monuments, and sightseeing. If you’re lucky enough to be there during cherry blossom season, you’re in for a treat! Jeju Island very much has small-island town vibes and is sooo pretty to hike. Or, if you’re more into the beach, Jeju has plenty of shoreline.

7. What are your top three strengths?

Hmmmm….I think my top three strengths are my deductive reasoning (thanks, Nancy Drew!), willingness to try new things, and empathy.

8. What do you like most about working at the WC?

The people I work with 🙂

9. What are your plans after graduation?

Excellent question! I don’t have a solid answer yet, since Caleb and I have no idea where we will be going or when. We are waiting to find out when the next part of Caleb’s military training (BOLC) starts, and where the Army is going to station us afterwards. Depending on the answers we receive, I could be sticking around East Lansing for a bit, or I may be moving right away. We should hopefully have some more answers in a month or so.

10. What’s a cultural tradition or celebration from Korea that you find fascinating?

Something that I found fascinating when I was living in Korea was how age works. First, when a baby is born they are considered one year old. Also, most people have a Korean age and an international age. Korean age is based on the lunar calendar and everyone “ages up” on lunar new year (usually around January 1). International age is based on the calendar that we are most familiar with here in the west. So, it is entirely possible for a baby born in December, for example, to be two years old (Korean age) before they are even a month old (based on their international age). It was definitely something that I wasn’t expecting!

11.  What recommendations would you give someone traveling to Korea for the first time?

Depends on what you want to do while you are there! If you want to see the city life, you have plenty to choose from. I really liked Seoul and Busan, personally. I also recommend trying to set up a templestay while you are in Korea. For those who don’t know, a templestay is where you can essentially book a stay at a Buddhist temple. While you are there, you will follow the same schedule as the monks (mostly), get the chance to talk to some of the monks, do guided meditations, and sometimes even make stuff. When I did a templestay, I was actually able to make my own prayer beads and I still have it with me to this day.

12. Who is your favorite airline if you have one?

Overall, I’ve had the best experiences on Delta or Korean Air. I’ve also had good luck with Southwest.

13. What are some self-care strategies you practice or would recommend?

I highly recommend finding some sort of creative project to work on! I find that even if I suck at a particular craft, the process of making something is very calming and soothing. And, even if I don’t end up liking the final product or the craft itself, I can at least say I tried.

14. What are some books you wish you could read over for the first time?

If I had to choose…I’d say the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, Harry Potter, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, and the Daevabad Trilogy.

15. What are your go-to tips for writing?

My go-to piece of writing advice is to read your work out loud. I cannot tell you the number of times I wrote something that I thought made sense only to find out that it was super confusing and convoluted after reading it out loud.

16. Would you ever get a dog? If so, what kind?

I would definitely get a dog! I grew up with/around dogs my entire life – Surge is actually the first cat I’ve ever owned. I would love to get a rescue dog, I’m not particularly picky about the breed but I love Pitbulls, Dobermans, Boxers, Irish Setters, Irish Wolfhounds…honestly, I could go on forever hahaha.

17. What’s your favorite color?

Sapphire blue!

18. Do you have any 2024 New Year’s resolutions? If so, could you share with us also?

I’ve been wanting to go to the gym more to feel healthier, so I’ve set a goal to go to the gym at least once a week. I find that if I give myself a goal like “go to the gym every day” I’m more likely to drop it, so I’m starting off small.

19. What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done or would like to do?

The most adventurous thing I’ve done is moving to Korea without knowing how to say anything (not even hello, yes, or no) and learning to live there for a year. It wasn’t my first time living alone, but it was my first time living so far away from family and friends and I was fresh out of undergrad.

20. What’s your comfort food that instantly lifts your mood?

Ramen! Specifically, good ramen from a restaurant, not instant ramen.

21. What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?

 I love to get into comfy clothes, make myself some tea, and spend the evening either playing video games or working on one of my many works in progress.

22. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from a mistake you made?

Wow, what a question…I’ve never thought about it. If I had to narrow it down, I’d say the most valuable lesson I learned was how to be okay with being my own company. For a long time prior to moving to Korea, I spent a stupid amount of time trying to fit in with a group. I cared way too much about being a “loner” and struggling with feeling like I was being left out of everything. After living in Korea for a while and needing to figure out how to do literally everything on my own, I realized that hanging out with me, myself, and I was just as fun, if not more fun, than going out with friends. It gave me an opportunity to really learn about myself outside of the influence of friends and family.

23. What’s a skill you possess that you’re proud of, but not many people know about?

Within the past two years, I taught myself how to build a gaming PC. It was something that I always wanted to do and I finally pulled the trigger on it last year as a Christmas gift for my husband and I. I learned what the different parts were, what they did, and how they fit together. When the computer was all put together and booted up without any issues, I literally had to sit down because I was so relieved that it worked! I’m definitely proud of myself for learning how to do this because I never thought of myself as a mechanical or technical minded person. But I proved myself wrong and actually really enjoyed the whole process!

24. Team Apple or Samsung and why?

Team Samsung because I feel like their phones have better longevity than Apple products. When I used to have an iPhone, it would die out after two years or so. But I had my Samsung Galaxy S6 for, like, six years before I finally had to cave and get my current phone (which I’ve had now for four years and it is still going strong).

25. What is something you would recommend to someone in general?

I would recommend learning how to say no and sticking with your answer. Saying ‘no’ to something that does not serve you does not make you a bad or mean person. Say no to that extra work project, to that person asking you for a favor, to anything you don’t want to do. It’s better to say no upfront than to suffer long-term consequences.

26. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

From my grandma: “Take care of the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves’”. My grandmother and her twin brother were born just a few years before the start of the Great Depression to a single, widowed mother and four other siblings. Most of her early life was spent trying to survive the economic devastation she had been born into, so learning to make everything count and stretching resources to their limits was a way of life that she passed on to her kids and grandkids. I’ve found that this is not only relevant to financial matters, but also to situations where the small details or changes can add up to a big difference.

27. Who is the last person you texted?

My husband, Caleb. We were trying to figure out where to meet up on campus.

28. If you were to choose a different first name for yourself, what would it be?

Ooooh! I like this question! I think I would have to go with Autumn. I love that name and I feel like it’s one that you don’t hear very often.

29. What would you say is one of the best resources students should take advantage of at MSU?

The Writing Center, of course!

30. If you won a million dollars, what is the first thing you would buy?

Not necessarily a thing, but I would pay off my husband’s and sister’s student loans. They both worked so hard to get to where they are and they don’t need student debt dragging them down. But if I had to choose a material thing, I think I’d buy a house!

31. Go Green?

GO WHITE!

MiWCA 2023: A chill conference perfect for first-time presenters

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By Monique Yoder

I got the opportunity to present “Be curious! Writing center research curiosities” at the Michigan Writing Centers Association (MiWCA) annual conference, which took place at Grand Valley State University on October 28, 2023. This was my first time presenting at a writing center conference. I didn’t quite know what to expect or how to prepare, so I relied on advice from WC consultants and admin who have had more experience with these types of conferences to get me through to the presentation podium. 

The first time I ever presented at an annual conference was when I was an English major in my undergrad. I presented some poetry and non-fiction writing at the Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society annual conferences in Daytona and Kansas City. Now, as a graduate student, I almost exclusively attend applied linguistics conferences, where I present on topics related to language assessment development, second language writing pedagogy, and language testing professionalization. As far as conferences go, MiWCA 2023 was unlike any other conference I’ve attended. In a good way! 

What I liked about facilitating a 50-minute roundtable session at MiWCA was the amount of time dedicated to discussing a topic. Most of the conferences I attend are designed for people to showcase and share empirical research they’re working on. The individual presentations are typically a 20-minute presentation + 10-minute Q&A format. This doesn’t give much time for genuine discussion on a topic. But for a roundtable discussion at MiWCA, I gave a ten-minute overview presentation on the story-telling and evidenced-based practice research paradigms within writing center-related research. This provided session attendees some background information on what types and kinds of research are possible. This came in handy during small group discussions when I invited attendees to take 10 minutes per question to discuss: What should count as research in writing center-related research? What research curiosities do you have in your writing center(s)? How might institutions support writing center research? Imagine! Attendees and I had a solid 35 minutes to explore ideas, share lived experiences, and wrap things up with some points on how to keep the conversation going. I’ve never experienced this before!

I also didn’t expect folks from the UP to be at the conference since it’s a solid seven-hour drive from Marquette to Grand Rapids. Northern Michigan University is my alma mater, and so it was nice to catch up with a former professor and meet NMU’s writing center admin and undergrad peer tutors. NMU didn’t have a writing center when I was there, and so it’s great to see such a center exist and thriving.

In short, MiWCA 2023 is a chill conference, which is perfect for first-time presenters!  The MiWCA collective is a very welcoming group of people, and no topic is too small to discuss! If you’ve got a consultation approach or technique that you want to showcase and share, consider presenting at MiWCA 2024 next October! The conference will take place at Lansing Community College, so you don’t have to worry about traveling a long distance to present.

Feel free to contact me, as Research Coordinator, to talk about any presentation ideas you have for any writing center conference, not just MiWCA. I’m happy to set up a consultation with you to talk through presentation types and writing up conference proposal abstracts. 

31 Questions with Katie, our Bessey Coordinator | AMA Series

1. What Hogwarts house would you want to be sorted into and why?

Secretly, I want to be sorted into Gryffindor to go on the bravest adventures, but in my heart, I am happy to be a Hufflepuff because I value kindness, justice, and hard work most. I also think everyone at Hogwarts could benefit from some serious community-building to become besties, which is very Hufflepuff

2. You have this je ne sais quoi about you where you make everyone around you feel comfy and welcomed. How do you do it?

I’m genuinely interested in the lives of others, I love asking questions, and I believe you can enjoy the company of 99% of the people you meet if you give them a chance in a 1:1 setting, which is why I am passionate about creating environments where everyone can be their true selves.

3. From the MLB parks that you visited in summer 2023, which one offers the best fan-friendly atmosphere?

I LOVED visiting Rogers Centre in Toronto this past summer because it offered awesome rooftop patios on the upper decks with games, bars, and great views to keep everyone engaged.

4. What do you like most about working for The Writing Center?

Whether it’s planning a social, facilitating a workshop, or consulting, I like that I know my work matters. I also have the privilege of being in community with such amazing people each and every day.

5. What’s your favorite go-to order at Starbucks?

Venti Mango Dragonfruit Refresher with Lemonade

6. What do you do on those days that you don’t feel that energetic or motivated?

I reflect in my journal, read a book, or go for a long walk on campus to be in nature.

7. What was your favorite thing about being an RA?

I loved planning creative social events where everyone could unwind from class and be together.

8. What do you miss most from your undergraduate student days?

I miss the excitement of being in college for the first time and living in Bailey Hall.

9. What do you like most about being a graduate student?

The opportunity to connect theory to practice while gaining more student affairs experience across MSU.

10. What hobbies or activities do you enjoy in your free time?

I love to read, journal, craft, decorate, bake, travel, and watch baseball in my free time.

11.  What’s a pet peeve of yours?

I hate when people think they should wear any type of jersey to a sporting event when it is not representing either team or event the sport itself. JAIL!

12. Do you have a favorite movie or TV show? Why do you like it?

My favorite rom-com is “Love, Rosie” because it’s a fascinating book adaptation reminding us that everything happens for a reason – AND SAM CLAFLIN, of course.

13. What’s your go-to comfort food?

DETROIT-STYLE PIZZA!

14. What is something someone couldn’t tell just by looking at you that you think is important for them to know?

I’ve had Rheumatoid Arthritis since I was ten years old.

15. Do you believe in love at first sight?

Absolutely.

16. What is the last song you listened to?

Northern Attitude – Noah Kahan

17. What does your everyday morning routine look like?

I wake up, get dressed, undo my overnight curls, pick up my refresher from Starbucks, and walk the 15 minutes to Bessey Hall from GR.

18. What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?

A long walk home, picking up some Auntie Anne’s pretzels, and reading a book of my choice.

19. How would you define success?

Learning to balance doing great work with doing things that make you happy each day.

20. Do you have a 2024 New Year’s Resolutions? If so, can you share it with us?

Eat more greens and protein to help my joints and read more books!

21. Have you ever tried or worked really hard for something and didn’t get it? How did you cope?

 Yes; I gave myself time to grieve before accepting that it was not meant to be since better, more fitting things are out there for me.  

22. What is your favorite brand of coffee to brew?

 EWW coffee!

23. What’s your favorite holiday?

I love Christmas most of all.

24. How do you like your steak? If you eat steak…

 I don’t eat much steak, but if I do, medium well, please.

25. Do you have a favorite quote or saying?

“Decide what kind of life you actually want. Then say ‘no’ to everything that isn’t that.” -Anonymous

26. Who is the last person you texted?

My mom ????

27. What is the current date and time you are responding to this prompt?

Tuesday, 12:02 AM

28. What’s the last book you read that you really enjoyed?

Tough question! The most engaging book I’ve read in the past few months was Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston.

29. What is one thing on your bucket list?

Watching a baseball game at all 30 MLB ballparks by the time I’m 30 years old.

30. What are 3 words to describe yourself?

Personable, Creative, and Independent

31. What is a bad habit of yours?

I bite my nails when I’m anxious and stressed.

MSU WC Consultants Share Their Experiences from MiWCA 2023

By Monique Yoder

The Michigan Writing Centers Association (MiWCA) annual conference took place at Grand Valley State University on October 28, 2023. This was the first time since pre-COVID-19 pandemic where writing centers from around the state could get together to exchange ideas, renew relationships, and welcome newcomers at an in-person conference. A few MSU Writing Center consultants were themselves newcomers to this conference. I asked them to share what the conference was like and what their main takeaways were.

Eva A.

This was my first conference ever! I think MiWCA 2023 was a good experience because it was on the smaller side. I found that it was easier to have discussions with peers at the conference. 

A major takeaway for me was that AI can be an amazing tool for outlining essays. If you are thinking about attending MiWCA next year, I recommend bringing a bag that can fit your laptop or bring a notebook to take notes. 

Re’Anna

This was my first Writing Center conference I have attended. I have been to conferences in the past, but they were all business related. As my first writing center-related conference, MiWCA 2023 was an amazing experience!

The key lesson I took away from MiWCA revolves around embracing authenticity in both writing and consulting. It’s essential to bring your unique voice and perspective to the table, as doing so offers a genuine reader’s insight into the writer’s work. I encountered no unexpected challenges during the conference.

For those considering attending MiWCA, I would strongly recommend it. Even if you believe your writing and consulting abilities are well-honed and a writing center-related conference may not hold significant benefits for you, I can assure you that you’ll uncover at least one enlightening aspect that makes the experience worthwhile.

Heidi

In 2022, I attended The National Conference on Race & Ethnicity in Higher Education (NCORE) in Portland, Oregon. NCORE is a conference where individuals from across higher education convene to learn, educate, and connect about topics and issues regarding race and ethnicity in higher education.

MiWCA 2023 was a wonderful introduction to writing center-related conferences for me. As a consultant-in-training at the time I attended, I learned so much in every session. Many sessions were led by consultants from Grand Valley State University, and their experiences and lessons from their practice enriched my own understanding of writing centers.

I left MiWCA excited to keep learning. My interests as a Student Affairs Administration graduate student are anti-deficit and critical student support practices. Therefore, I particularly enjoyed sessions that explored how identity changes how consultants practice. I reflected on my own identity and how that shows up in my work and how I am valuing the identities of writers. 

As a new consultant, I was a bit nervous before the conference. I wondered if I would be lost, confused, and not know at all what was being discussed. I was pleasantly surprised that attendees and presenters alike would acknowledge in sessions that they were in a space of growth and learning. People brought their own interdisciplinary backgrounds, interests, and passions into discussions.

While I didn’t expect to, I found myself reflecting on how my own academic background in political science and Latino and Latin American studies gave me a unique perspective on topics like linguistic inclusivity, writer empowerment, and other topics in writing center literature.

I want to start by sharing that the MSU Writing Center covered all costs for this trip. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to attend. If you are interested in attending a writing center conference and have the means to do so, absolutely give it a try. It is an investment in yourself as a professional, and you’ll leave with new learning and ideas that can be applied right back into your practice.

Zinhle

This was not my first conference. As a former lecturer, I have attended different English language conferences, including “The Focus Conference” — an annual conference organized every August by Mangosuthu University of Technology in South Africa. This conference focuses on blended learning in higher education.

MiWCA was my first writing center conference. I enjoyed learning about issues that different writing centers have in common, particularly with regard to global networks and consultations. I am looking forward to attending more conferences in the future.

If you’re interested in going to MiWCA, I would highly recommend you attend different sessions on areas of your interests. However, for new WC consultants like me, I would recommend they attend diversified sessions to get the general or overall idea of writing center topics and issues.

Monique

MiWCA was also my first foray into attending a writing center conference. I echo what Heidi said about this conference being a place where I could learn about what other university-affiliated writing center sites are doing. Like Re’Anna, this conference offers up great practical advice on how to strengthen consultation practices. I hope to attend next year’s conference, which will take place in Lansing, MI. Our neighbors, Lansing Community College, will host MiWCA 2024!

Interested in attending a state or regional writing center conference (MiWCA and ECWCA, respectively)? Are you looking to present on a writing center-related topic at an upcoming conference? Contact the Writing Center Admin or me, as Research Coordinator,  to talk about travel and conference registration support opportunities. Happy to help you experience the energy and networking that takes place at in-person writing center conferences!

Application Materials – A Tricky Genre To Master

By: Ceili

So, you’ve decided to apply for something. You’ve taken notes on the application requirements, mentally planned your timeline, updated your resume/CV, and started brainstorming narratives to use in your statements. What next? 

Application materials are a tricky genre to master because the writer has to balance a lot of rhetorical moves at once; answering the prompt, staying within word count, telling a story, and showing their best side to the adjudicator or reader. 

I’ve been at the MSU Writing Center for several years, and in that time, I have developed an easy set of guidelines for application materials that center the writer’s narrative in the formulaic style of writing application materials. In this blog post, I’ll walk through the top three pieces of advice I usually tell writers as we work through application materials. The advice can be applied to any sort of application; jobs, scholarships, study abroad, Broad business, medical school/residency statements, etc. 

Tip #1: Don’t edit and write at the same time. 

This is a very common thing for writers with high-stakes deadlines to do because our natural impulse is to make sure that everything that goes on the page is the best it can be. But trying to edit and add content at the same time can make the writing process more stressful. Leaving cutting the piece down for length and editing for formality until the end of the process frees the writer to add more content as needed and can help them make stronger rhetorical moves while developing their narratives. 

Tip #2: Answer the prompt. 

One of the primary evaluation criteria for applications is the ability to answer the prompt. If a writer ignores the prompt in favor of adding external information, the application can be rejected right away. Always evaluate your narrative against answering the prompt, and make sure that your readers can pick up on your answer. One of the easiest ways to do this is make an appointment with the MSU Writing Center with the specific goal of evaluating whether the piece answers the prompt. You can also use strategies such as highlighting where you specifically answer the prompt, or putting the question directly into your outline as you develop your piece. 

Tip #3: Why you, why them, why does it matter? 

I developed this set of questions to make it easy for writers to appeal to the application reader or adjudicator. The first question, “why are you a good fit for what you’re applying to?” is usually included in the prompt already. Getting writers thinking about what unique things make them a good fit for the application helps develop confidence and self-expression. This is not to be confused with the second question, “why is this a good fit for you?” Because the second question digs into why the thing that is being applied to appeals to the applicant. Being able to cite specific things about each unique program can be difficult for application materials such as medical school secondaries, but application readers are often looking for evidence that the applicant has done their research and are applying because of the unique offerings available. In short, the applications are looking to see if they are being held in unique regard by the applicants. The final question, “why does it matter?” is important to spend time thinking on because either the prompt or the follow up interviews often ask it. Similar to question two, the application readers want to see the passion and drive in each applicant and want to know why this application matters. In a world of endless opportunity, why is the applicant pursuing this specific application? What are their goals beyond this application? Why does it matter? 

These three tips are meant to generate a writer-centered approach to application materials and cut down on application stress. In my experience, the most difficult application prompts to answer are ones like, “describe yourself,” which seems simple enough, but under the pressure of a high-stakes deadline like an application can become impossible. Application materials are a tricky genre to master, but the more you can break down the process and adhere to the application guidelines, the easier the process will become.

31 Questions with Ceili, one of our Graduate Consultants and Coordinators | AMA Series

1. Team Edward or Jacob?

Team Edward. I have always been fascinated by vampires and sparkly objects.  

2. What is your most embarrassing childhood memory?

One time I played a game of  telephone with a group of older kids at a church camp and blurted out something really inappropriate when I was at the end of the line. I had no idea what it meant at the time, but everyone was laughing.

3. What is your most bizarre food combination you secretly enjoy? 

Refried beans and tofu. Cold. Like, straight out of the can cold. I think my parents fed it to me as a baby and now it’s a comfort food.

4. What do you like most about arts management? What’s the best museum you’ve ever visited? 

I like that arts & cultural management is applicable everywhere. Sports? Got to have branding kits. Arts? Need a marketing campaign. Project management? Stage management? Community management? Yes to all. I’ve used my skills to do work outside the typical arts management job sphere, and I love applying what I know to spaces like video games, writing centers, and sports.  

The best museum I have ever visited is the Museum of Natural History in Washington DC. I could spend years there. I love dinosaurs the most, so their new dinosaur wing is my favorite place ever. I also have a weakness for the preserved giant squid in a box and the shiny gem exhibit. 

5. Can you say a little bit about the interesting spelling of your name? 

My parents went to the Folklife festival in Seattle, WA while expecting and saw a group of Cèilidh dancers perform. They thought that would be a cool way to get in touch with our heritage. The word means ‘celebration.’ 

6. What’s your favorite day of the year?

I think my birthday is the coolest day of the year, because it’s exactly six months from Christmas. Halloween is a close second place though.

7. If your life was a movie, what would be the title and who would play you in the film? 

Coming to theaters this summer… “What am I looking at?” Starring Michael Cera.

8. What’s the strangest place you’ve ever fallen asleep? 

The parking lot across from the MSU Clinical Center. I was in undergrad and working a double at Sparty’s with a few hours in between, so I walked to my car for a nap and then walked back to work.  

9. If your life had a theme song that played every time you entered a room, what would it be?

The Futurama theme song, but played on unconventional instruments and accompanied by a crash box of metal objects. 

10. If you could meet any historical figure, who would it be and why? 

Benjamin Franklin, I feel like we have similar senses of humor and strong opinions about birds.  

11. What’s a hobby or skill you’ve always wanted to learn?

I need to learn to play the accordion. NEED TO. My dexterity is terrible though. As soon as I can afford to buy one, it’s all over. I’m going to carry it around with me everywhere. 

12. What is your go to Starbucks order, if you eat/drink at Starbucks?

Iced blonde roast americano with cream. Not very interesting, but quite caffeinated.  

13. What is the last song you listen to? 

“Stay Dead” by Aviators, which dropped on 9/2. Aviators have been my Spotify top band for the last three years. 

14. If you could visit any place in the world right now, where would you go? 

London, specifically Borough Market. I think about the food I got there on study abroad on a daily basis. 

15. What’s a hidden talent or quirk that not many people know about you? 

I can lick my elbow, specifically my left elbow.

16. Describe your dream job, regardless of practicality. 

I want to be famous enough to get me invited to geeky conventions as a special guest. I don’t really care what I did to get there, and I don’t want to be mega famous. Just famous enough to talk to a room full of people about something nerdy.  

17. What’s the most unusual or exotic food you’ve ever tried? 

Goat neck curry. The meat was tender and tasty, but the curry was really spicy.

18. If you could time travel to any era, past or future, when and where would you go? 

Victorian England. Sanitation and life expectancies aside, I think it would be fascinating to experience all the odd hobbies and societal events they had going on at the time.

19. Share a valuable life lesson you’ve learned along the way.

Apologies are for when you hurt people or make mistakes, don’t say sorry for just existing.

20. What’s your favorite way to relax and unwind?

I love playing video games with my partner on the weekends. There is nothing better than an afternoon of Planetside 2, cat cuddles, and snacks.

21. If you could switch lives with someone for a day, who would it be? 

I would switch with my cat, her needs are all met (doesn’t have to pay rent, food and water filled) and she gets to sleep in a pile of soft blankets all day. 

22. What’s a personal goal or achievement you’re proud of? 

Freshman year on the fencing team I went undefeated at Nationals (which we hosted) and we won 2^nd place team. Waking Ned Divine.

23. If you could have dinner with three people, living or dead, who would they be?

Stephen King, Adam Savage, and Natalie Portman would make for some really intellectual conversation at the dinner table. Three really kind, witty, and fun individuals.

24. Describe a meaningful act of kindness you’ve received or witnessed.

I just got back from a convention where I saw a little kid dressed in cosplay, and an adult in a matching cosplay noticed the kid from across the hall while on the escalator going down. He jogged all the way back around the room and up the escalator to take a picture with the kid while people cleared a path for him and cheered. 

25. What’s your go-to karaoke song, and can you sing a line from it?

As a person with a degree in theater, I take this question very seriously. For when I want to impress people, I’ll pull out either Let It Go from Frozen or another song with some body and belt. If I want to get the crowd into it I’ll choose What’s Up? By 4 Non Blondes. I haven’t ever done karaoke, but I’m ready when the moment comes. 

26. If you could live in any fictional universe, which one would you choose?

Middle Earth, specifically The Shire. Days filled with reading, snacking, and lying around relaxin in the sunny woods? Sign me up. 

27. What’s the most daring or adventurous thing you’ve ever done? 

I am an adventurer by nature, so I try to have daily explorations to keep things interesting. But while I was on my study abroad to London I did things like take the train to Crystal Palace to see the dinosaur statues there, and instead of taking the bus out to Stonehenge I walked through the fields and viewed it from a hilltop. 

28. Share a favorite quote or mantra that inspires you.

“You can, you should, and if you’re brave enough to start, you will.” ― Stephen King

29. What is the last thing you ate?

The chef’s special of our household: baked salmon with lemon onion cous cous and fresh vegetable of the week. 

30. If you had to survive in the wilderness for a week, what three items would you bring with you?

A book about poisonous plants/fungi (will help me find food, entertain me, and can serve as kindling), a swiss army knife, and my teddy bear 

31. Can you share a moment when you faced your greatest fear or overcame a major obstacle?

I am absolutely terrified of heights. I’ve done some abseiling in secure harnesses, but I really have a hard time with non-secured heights. It was a right of passage at my high school that senior technicians could climb to “the grid” which was the top level of our fly system. On the very last day of school, I crawled up to the grid level, sweating and shaking the whole way, just to say I did it. Then I had to come down. Needless to say, sky diving is NOT on my bucket list.