Faculty Writing Consultants
Associate Director of the Learning Centers - University Writing Center
Rodolfo (Rudy) Barrett, M.S.
Rodolfo "Rudy" Barrett (he/him) holds a master's degree in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication and teaches first-year composition courses and a course on research design and writing for Intelligence Analysis majors.
He is a student-centered educator with a focus on writing coaching. He has served as a writing consultant since his time as an undergraduate student and has been a prestigious fellowships advisor in collaboration with the Honors College and the Office of Student Awards, Initiatives, and Research. His research interests include composition pedagogy, intercultural communication, rhetorics of gaming, and identity construction, especially regarding race and neurodiversity, in the teaching and learning of composition.
Disciplinary Writing Coordinator
Emily Bouza, Ph.D.
Emily Bouza (she/her) oversees outreach and course embedded consultants for the University Writing Center. Her goal is to support students and faculty in their writing in all disciplines across campus. She holds a Ph.D. in Composition and Rhetoric from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an M.A. in Professional and Technical Writing from the University of Arkansas – Little Rock, and a B.A. in English from Kent State University.
Digital Literacies Coordinator
Joni Hayward Marcum, Ph.D.
Joni Hayward Marcum (she/her) holds a Ph.D. in Media, Cinema, and Digital Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and has worked in the Writing Center field since 2017. She also has extensive experience as a teacher of first-year writing and has experience in writing program administration, online learning, and mentorship.
Joni's current research focuses on the intersections of critical literacy in digital environments, technology-mediated writing instruction, and writing center pedagogy in the digital age. Most recently, she has been researching and building knowledge on GenAI literacy best practices in higher education. An avid supporter of digital literacy development and awareness, she is dedicated to understanding the rapidly changing digital environment and empowering learners to succeed in it. In addition to her focus on enhancing digital literacy in higher education, she has also published academically on peer tutoring as a high-impact practice, documentary, and archival film.
Faculty Librarian Associate
Kathy Clarke, M.L.S.
Kathy is the UWC's Faculty Librarian Associate. Her areas of study include core curriculum (general education) and college student information literacy and seeking skills. She is interested in how students use information or sources in their own work. She teaches for JMU's Adult Degree Program and for the School of Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication.
Faculty Associate
Kevin Jefferson, M.A.
Kevin (he/him) is a Faculty Associate from JMU's School of Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication. He has a background in 19th- and 20th-century British and American literature and a history of long road trips. His teaching and research interests include first-year composition, editing, and publishing student writing. He works with the student editors of the James Madison Undergraduate Research Journal to promote, publish, and share undergraduate research and scholarship from all JMU disciplines.
Graduate Consultants
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.
Undergraduate Writing Consultants
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
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!).
Administration
Executive Director, JMU Learning Centers
Laura Miller, Ph.D.
Laura Miller (she/her) directs JMU's Learning Centers and is an Associate Professor in the School of Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication. She holds a Ph.D. in Composition and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Miller conducts research on tutoring efficacy, writing mindsets, and composition practices. So What? The Writer's Argument, a first-year writing textbook she co-authored with Dr. Kurt Schick, is in its third edition. She consults with students and faculty on all kinds of writing.
Senior Associate Director, JMU Learning Centers
Audrey Robinson, Ph.D.
Audrey Robinson (she/her) oversees the JMU Learning Centers daily operations and office assistant staff and provides general administrative support. She holds a M.S., Ed.S. and Ph.D. in Career and Technical Education from Virginia Tech and a B.S. in Business Administration from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Audrey is passionate about helping students to achieve their full potential in and outside the classroom. Her teaching interests include academic success courses that support students in academic suspension or probation and first-year experience courses that promote academic success strategies. Her research interests include social justice and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, particularly for underserved populations and men of color. Audrey enjoys reading, watching movies, crocheting, and spending time with family and friends.
Executive Administrative Assistant, JMU Learning Centers
Morgan Widelo
Morgan Widelo (she/her) provides administrative, fiscal, technology, and program support to the Executive Director and Learning Centers. She is a double Duke and is excited to continue her time on campus as part of the JMU staff. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, doing yoga, and journaling.
Payroll Specialist/Administrative Assistant, JMU Learning Centers
Danny Markley
Danny Markley (he/him) handles the payroll activities at the JMU Learning Centers and provides administrative support to the faculty and staff in their daily operations. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and camping in the mountains of West Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
