Graduate Assistant - Collaborative Writing Specialist

Kathryn Hughes

Kathryn (she/her) is a first-year graduate student in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and an BS in Communication from Brigham Young University-Idaho. She is an adjunct English professor at Marymount University and has been teaching, tutoring, and professionally writing for over 20 years. Kathryn loves tackling complex writing issues and hopes to complete a doctoral program to continue working in higher education.

Graduate Intern

Aminat Oyelude

Aminat is an instructor and second-year graduate student in Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication (WRTC). She loves exploring pop culture, creative writing, feminism, religion, design, and composition pedagogy. Outside of school, you’ll usually find her enjoying K-pop, binge-watching K-dramas, or fangirling over Taylor Swift.

Graduate Assistant - Outreach Specialist

Amber Sykhammountry

Amber (she/they) is a second-year graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Her current research interests are substance use and risk assessment with genderqueer populations and communities of color. Outside of school, they love reading, cooking, and watching objectively bad indie horror.

Peer Consultant

Sami Armstrong

Sami (she/her) is a senior English major with a minor in creative writing. She also works as a student employee at the Atlantic Union Bank Center and is an active member of Chi Alpha Christian Ministry. She loves to read and write in her free time, as well as get coffee with friends and go to football games.

Peer Consultant

Griffin Brilhart

Griffin (he/him) is a senior double major in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication (WRTC) and English. He works as an RA for Shenandoah Hall and serves in the Justice Team for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. In his free time, he enjoys reading books and listening to music.

Peer Consultant

Anna Coffey

Anna (she/her) is a senior English major with a WRTC minor. On campus, she serves as Historian for the Card Sharks executive board. In her free time, she loves to read, play games, and spend time with her friends.

Peer Consultant

Ally de Cardona

Ally (she/her) is a junior WRTC major with a minor in Honors Interdisciplinary Studies. She is an active member of Alpha Phi Omega and Student Ambassadors. Off campus, she works as a baker at Campus Cookies. In her free time, Ally loves roller skating, going on road trips, and watching Kitchen Nightmares.

Peer Consultant

Julia Devaney

Julia (she/her) is a senior Business Management major with a minor in WRTC. She also works as a student athlete tutor and is in Alpha Phi. She recently completed COB 300 in Antwerp, Belgium! She loves to walk dogs at the SPCA and play golf in her free time. She was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland (go Ravens!).

Peer Consultant

LeeAnne English-Stewart

LeeAnne (she/her) is a senior WRTC major with a minor in Public Policy and Administration. She works as a sales intern at ALKU Staffing Firm and is the Alumnae Engagement Specialist in the sorority Alpha Delta Pi. She enjoys spending time with friends, reading, lifting at UREC, and listening to music.

Peer Consultant

Skylar Goehring

Skylar (she/her) is a senior WRTC major and a Creative Writing minor. She is from Gainesville, Virginia, and writes for the HerCampus club at JMU. In her free time, she loves to read, write, and bullet journal. 

Peer Consultant

Marina Hlouverakis

Marina (she/her) is a senior WRTC major with a minor in Political Science. Originally from Virginia Beach, VA, she's an active member of Phi Beta Kappa and an editor for RhetTech. She enjoys volunteering at community events in Harrisonburg, such as MACROCK and Pride Fest. In her free time, Marina likes hanging out with friends and loved ones (including her cat) and going camping on the weekends! 

Peer Consultant

Courtney Horvath

Courtney (she/her) is a senior Intelligence Analysis major with a minor in Political Science. On campus, she is a member of the JMU Women in Intelligence and National Security Club. She enjoys reading, exploring new places, and hanging out with friends! 

Peer Consultant

MacKenzie Irey

Kenzie (she/her) is a junior Pre-Law student with a WRTC major and a Legal Studies minor. She is from Philly, PA (go birds!). In her free time, Kenzie loves to read and spend time with her friends and family. 

Peer Consultant

Sana Jaf

Sana (she/her) is a junior majoring in Computer Information Systems and minoring in WRTC. She works as a student researcher and is currently preparing her first publication. On campus, Sana is an active member of the Association for Information Systems (AIS) and Run Your City. She he enjoys hiking, grabbing matcha with friends, and journaling. 

Peer Consultant

Emily Kay

Emily (she/her) is a senior Integrated Science and Technology (ISAT) major with a minor in WRTC. She is involved in the student ambassadors’ program for the ISAT major, and she is also an active member of Alpha Omega Epsilon. Her hobbies include baking, backpacking, and playing board games with her friends!

Peer Consultant

Jillian Kotin

Jillian (she/her) is a senior Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication major with minors in Legal Studies and Family Studies. On campus, she is a writer for HerCampus magazine. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, hanging out with friends, and baking lots of sweet treats. 

Peer Consultant

Emily Kruger

Emily (she/her) is a senior Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communications major with minors in Honors Interdisciplinary Studies and Legal Studies. On campus, she is involved in Student Ambassadors Tour Guides and Alpha Delta Pi. In her free time, Emily enjoys watching New Girl and listening to Taylor Swift!

Peer Consultant

Sophia Lundin

Sophia (she/her) is a senior Economics major with minors in Honors Interdisciplinary Studies and Classical Studies. She conducts economic research on the oil and gas industry through the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates program and is an active member of Alpha Omega Epsilon. Sophia enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and all things nerdy—preferably without looming deadlines.

Peer Consultant

Sadie McClain

Peer Consultant

Fiona Pacious

Fiona (she/her) is a senior majoring in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication with a minor in Legal Studies. She is a Managing Editor for the James Madison Undergraduate Research Journal and continues her service as president of JMU's Catholic Campus Ministry. In her free time, Fiona loves to hike in the Shenandoah and work on her endless paint-by-numbers paintings.

Peer Consultant

Xander Pearson

Xander (he/him) is a sophomore History major and Honors Interdisciplinary Studies minor. On campus, he can be found hitting his step goals and relaxing with friends on the quad. He is happy to meet new friends every day! In his free time, Xander goes to UREC, reads comic books, and watches sports.

Peer Consultant

Jordan Tan

Jordan (she/they) is a senior double major in Psychology and Dance. She loves helping students in her writing consultant role as well as her RA role. Aside from assisting other students, Jordan likes to engage in music by playing violin or ukulele, singing, or simply listening to her favorite tunes on Spotify.

Peer Consultant

Freddie Tavakoli

Freddie (they) is a junior WRTC major and Philosophy minor. They lead children’s tours at the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and work as a Stormwater Management intern with JMU’s Facilities Management. They are an active member in JMU’s Caving and Birding clubs and in Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. Freddie loves spending time outside journaling, exploring, and identifying wildlife, or spending time with their snake, Lionel, at home.

Peer Consultant

Abigail Thompson

Abigail (she/her) is a senior Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication major with a minor in Book Arts. On campus, she is a managing editor for the James Madison Undergraduate Research Journal and a member of the JMU Mycology Club. In her free time, she loves to knit, play tennis, and attend concerts with her friends and family.

Peer Consultant

Jillian Wallner

Jillian (she/her) is a sophomore Social Work major and a member of the Honors College. On campus, she can be found running with the club cross country team or hanging out with her friends in Cru, a Christian campus ministry. Jillian also enjoys exploring downtown Harrisonburg, journaling, and rewatching New Girl. 

Peer Consultant

Samantha Wong

Samantha (she/her) is a senior Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication major with minors in Computer Information Systems and Educational Media. As a member of the University Program Board, she loves planning events, movies, and giveaways for students. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, watching shows, and trying new things.

Peer Consultant

Eliot Zedd

Eliot is a senior Political Science major minoring in Writing and Rhetoric from Richmond, Virginia. He has served as a Contributing Columnist for the Opinion section of The Breeze. Eliot has a lot of experience in legal writing and plans on attending law school after graduation. He enjoys working out, listening to music, and watching sports in his free time (Go Commanders!).