Faculty & Staff Directory
Professional Writing Consultants
Jared Featherstone, M.F.A. - University Writing Center Coordinator - feathejj@jmu.edu
Jared Featherstone advises students and faculty about writing, and teaches courses in the School of Writing, Rhetoric & Technical Communication. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing and a BA in Journalism from the University of Maryland. In addition to developing his own creative work, his interests include online learning, Writing Across the Curriculum, service learning, and the relationship between teaching and tutoring.
Karen McDonnell, M.A. mcdonnkm@jmu.edu
Karen McDonnell splits her time between consulting with writers and teaching classes for the School of Writing, Rhetoric & Technical Communication. She holds a B.A. and an M.A. in English from JMU, where as an undergraduatee she minored in political science and secondary education. Her interests include argument, integrating sources, analysis, politics, and the English language.
Laura Schubert, M.A. schubelk@jmu.edu
Holding a B.A. and an M.A. in English, Laura Schubert consults with students and faculty on all kinds of writing. She also has experience teaching English Language Learners. In addition to teaching for the School of Writing, Rhetoric & Technical Communication, she is currently conducting research on rhetorical grammar, assessment, and the intersections between teaching and tutoring.
Mark Thomas, Ph.D. thomasme@jmu.edu
An Assistant Professor in the School of Writing, Rhetoric & Technical Communication, Dr. Thomas is also a Mentor to the FYI Writing Center. His research interests include 19th-century British literature, writing centers, tutoring, peer tutoring, plagiarism, and intellectual property.
Kurt Schick, Ph.D. - Director of Learning Resource Centers- schickke@jmu.edu
Kurt Schick consults with undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty. As an Associate Professor in the School of Writing, Rhetoric & Technical Communication, Dr. Schick also teaches courses in critical reading and writing, teaching and tutoring writing, and rhetoric. His scholarship focuses on coordinating the teaching of writing, thinking, and civic literacy.
Graduate Assistants
Chrisitina Wulf wulfcx@jmu.edu
Christina Wulf consults on all types of writing. An M.A. candidate in History, she is archiving a collection of union documents as part of her thesis research into Shenandoah Valley environmental history. She received her B.A. from the University of Virginia in Political and Social Thought and Religious Studies, then worked as an advocate for environmental conservation. Her personal writing interests include creative non-fiction, academic essays, poetry, and journalistic writing.
Doug Zimmerman zimme2dk@jmu.edu
Doug Zimmerman is a graduate assistant working closely with every member of the Center to ensure writers and English speakers of all academic levels receive necessary support. His current focus for the Master's Program in English is Southern Literature, but his interests also include creative non-fiction, academic essays, research, and analysis.
Barbara Brennan brennabp@jmu.edu
Barbara Brennan is in the graduate TSC program and is especially interested in science and medical writing. She also works as a family nurse practitioner in a private family practice in Woodstock.
Peer Tutors
Mike Kern kernmd@jmu.edu
Mike Kern is an English major with a creative writing and writing minor. He is heavily involved in JMU's Triathlon team and dreams of writing for a living.
Olivia Mankowski mankowot@jmu.edu
Olivia Mankowski consults with students and faculty on all types of writing. As a history major with a double minor in Secondary Education and Interdisciplinary Social Science, she hopes to one day become a history teacher. Her interests include good music and corny jokes.
Justin Thurston jmt8921@gmail.com
Justin Thurston is a political science major, with a minor in WRTC. He likes creative writing and salsa dancing. After college, he wants to get an advanced degree and become a political science professor, or possibly an advocate for civil liberties. Justin is also the assistant managing editor of the James Madison Undergraduate Research Journal.
Martin Steger stegerme@jmu.edu
Martin is majoring in Media Arts & Design, but he ended up in the Writing Center because he is minoring in Writing, Rhetoric & Technical Communication. Academically, he's interested in written argumentation and wants to pursue a career in television writing.
