Meet the UWC Team
Faculty Writing Consultants
UWC Associate Director of Writing
Jared Featherstone, M.F.A.
Jared Featherstone directs the University Writing Center and teaches courses in the School of Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication. He has an M.F.A. in Creative Writing and a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park. His interests include mindfulness, contemplative writing, creative nonfiction, service learning, and songwriting. He is a facilitator for the Madison Meditates program.
Assistant Professor of Writing and Liaison to CHBS
Lucy Bryan Malenke, M.F.A.
Lucy Bryan Malenke is the Writing Center liaison to the College of Health and Behavioral Studies. She also serves as outreach coordinator for the UWC and a writing consultant for students and faculty. She holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Penn State University and a B.A. in Journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her personal essays, short stories, reviews, and journalism have appeared in Nashville Review, Sojourners, The Georgia Review, and other literary journals and magazines. In addition to all kinds of writing, her interests include wilderness preservation and philosophy, sustainable agriculture, and service learning.
Faculty Associate
Kevin Jefferson, M.A.
Kevin Jefferson is a Faculty Associate from WRTC. 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 and editing; rhetorics of place, the environment, and the West; and publishing student writing. He works with the student editors and faculty reviewers of the James Madison Undergraduate Research Journal (JMURJ) to promote, publish, and share undergraduate scholarship from all JMU disciplines.
Writing Center Specialist
Rodolfo ("Rudy") Barrett, M.S.
Rodolfo "Rudy" Barrett is a Writing Center Specialist at James Madison University. A former first-year writing instructor, Rudy has worked in the UWC as both an ungraduate peer consultant and a graduate teaching assistant. His research interests include composition pedagogy, intercultural communication, and rhetorics of gaming.
Graduate Writing Consultants
Graduate Assistant
Kerry Smith
Kerry Smith has just completed her first year a WRTC graduate student. Her interests in writing include short nonfiction, poetry, legal writing, and rhetorical analyses. She loves to help brainstorm ideas, work through writer’s block, and encourage everyone to be the best writer they can be! Outside school, she spends her time listening to podcasts, reading true crime books, painting frames, and adding to her map collection. When not in Carrier, you can usually find her at the gym struggling to lift weights or at her job downtown.
Graduate Assistant
Samantha Haling
Samantha is a graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.A./Ed.S.) program. She has experience tutoring both writing and English as a Second Language. As DigiComm’s graduate assistant, she is excited to learn how to extend her skills to students working on digital projects and to help to strengthen DigiComm’s presence on campus. When not in the Learning Centers or out doing graduate work, Samantha loves creating art and spending quality time with friends, especially if good food is involved.
Undergraduate Writing Consultants
Peer Consultant
Caroline Abramowitz
Caroline Abramowitz is a junior Psychology major. She volunteers with the Harrisonburg Rescue Squad and Big Brothers Big Sisters and serves as the VP of Membership for JMU’s honor organization, Sigma Alpha Lambda. In her free time, Caroline enjoys coloring books, Parks and Rec, and thinking about how much she misses her dogs. She hopes to pursue a career in Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
Peer Consultant
Lexi Ali
Lexi is a senior Communications major with minors in Political Communication and WRTC from Brooklyn, NY. She currently serves as the Panhellenic president, which is the governing body of all 14 sororities here on campus. In her free time, she loves spending time with her friends, rooting for the New York Rangers, eating pizza, watching dog videos, and of course, any and all things Harry Potter.
Peer Consultant
Gabriela Baker
Gabriela is a senior majoring in SMAD with a concentration in Creative Advertising and Spanish. She is the Membership Director of the JMU Advertising Club and the Design Editor for the Bluestone yearbook. Her passions include traveling, immersing herself in different cultures, and learning new languages. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, being with family and friends, and gaining a reputation as a sentimental individual. After graduating, she hopes to work as a Strategic Planner under a Multicultural Marketing Team.
Peer Consultant
Amanda Boivin
Amanda is a junior English major with minors in Secondary Education and American Studies. On campus, she is a member of BNL and volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Outside of school, she enjoys hiking, listening to podcasts, going to coffee shops, and cooking vegan food. She hopes to become an English teacher so that she can continue inspiring students to appreciate literature and writing.
Peer Consultant
Amanda Bortell
Amanda Bortell is a senior Nursing major with a minor in Chronic Illness. She enjoys outside activities such as spending time with friends, laughing until her abs hurt (just kidding, she doesn't have abs), and eating an overwhelming amount of food. After graduation, Amanda hopes to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner.
Peer Consultant
Keiva Brannigan
Keiva is a senior Psychology major with a minor in Criminal Justice on the Pre-Forensics track. She is also a member of the Honors College. She plays for the JMU Women's Rugby team and enjoys traveling, hiking, and music. After JMU, she hopes continue on to graduate school in a Forensic Psychology program.
Peer Consultant
Matt Cappo
Matt is a senior WRTC and English major with an Anthropology minor. When he isn't studying, he enjoys hiking, cooking, reading, video games, and documentaries. He also has a tuxedo cat named Mr. Kitty who monopolizes much of his spare time. Upon leaving JMU, he hopes to work as a technical writer or editor in the NOVA area.
Peer Consultant
Leah Coffey
Leah is a junior WRTC major with a Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies minor. She is an active member of Gamma Sigma Sigma, a service sorority on campus. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering within the Harrisonburg community, hanging out with friends, and binge-watching Netflix with no regrets.
Peer Consultant
Mary Davis
Mary is a sophomore Health Sciences major with a double minor in Pre-OT and Special Education Non-Teaching. Outside of the Writing Center, she is involved in the JMU Club Gymnastics Team. Mary spends her free time at UREC, watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine, or indulging in a Lava Cake whenever she can get her hands on one. She hopes to pursue a career as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist.
Peer Consultant
Nicholas Dunard
Nick is a junior Intelligence Analysis major with a minor in Political Science. After graduation, he hopes to join the Peace Corps and later work in the US Intelligence Community. In his free time, he enjoys playing video games, going to concerts, travelling, and watching TV.
Peer Consultant
Skylar Ellery
Skylar is a junior Psychology major with minors in Political Science and WRTC. She is also an active member in Phi Alpha Delta Pre-law Fraternity. In her free time, she enjoys binge-watching movies, traveling to new places, and relaxing on the quad. Skylar hopes to attend law school after her time at James Madison.
Peer Consultant
Lydia Erickson
Lydia is a senior studying Communications. Outside of the Writing Center, Lydia is involved in Student Ambassadors, Student Government, and InterVarsity. In her free time, Lydia loves playing tennis, singing, playing the piano, and eating any type of dessert. In the future, Lydia hopes to pursue a career in public relations, patient advocacy, or writing.
Peer Consultant
Emma Fantuzzo
Emma is a junior History and WRTC major. She serves as the Vice President of the Italian Americans of Madison and is an active member in Phi Alpha Delta prelaw fraternity. In her free time, Emma enjoys hiking, reading long books, and baking. She currently hopes to pursue a career in journalism or law after graduation.
Peer Consultant
Madison Farabaugh
Madison is a junior Communications Major with a concentration in Public Relations and minors in Spanish and Honors Interdisciplinary Studies. She is a member of InterVarsity, Italian Americans of Madison, and PRSSA. In her free time, you can find Madison eating some sort of dessert, gettin’ those gains at UREC, listening to country music, or finding new adventures with friends. Madison hopes to pursue a Public Relations career that involves any combination of fitness, media/event planning, community outreach, or the opportunity to travel.
Peer Consultant
Molly Greenwald
Molly is a senior SMAD (Creative Advertising) major with a minor in WRTC. Outside of the Writing Center, she is involved in SafeRides and InterVarsity. Her interests include painting, movie nights, cooking, and sending memes to friends. She hopes to purse a career in advertising as a copywriter or designer in the city of Richmond.
Peer Consultant
Carly Guido
Carly is a senior WRTC major with a Creative Writing minor from Herndon, Virginia. During her free time, she enjoys reading fantasy and sci-fi novels, writing short stories, and watching Disney movies with her roommate. She hopes to go into the field of book editing after graduation.
Peer Consultant
Taralyn Guthrie
Taralyn is a junior Nursing major from Junction City, Kansas. She is a member of JMU Nursing Student Association and a frequent group exercise participant. Taralyn also enjoys traveling, listening to live music, and cooking/baking. She hopes to pursue a career in labor and delivery nursing after graduation.
Peer Consultant
Lisa Jorgensen
Lisa is a junior Communication Sciences Disorders major with a minor in Family Studies from Harvard, Massachusetts. She hopes to be a speech pathologist for young deaf and hard of hearing children, and she aspires to learn sign language and Spanish. Lisa is part of the co-ed business fraternity Pi Sigma Epsilon and loves hanging out with the other members. In her spare time, Lisa likes to read, play with her cat, and go outside (except when it's cold).
Peer Consultant
Austin Jones
Austin is a fourth-year Quantitative Economics major from Blacksburg, Virginia. He is the Lead Organizer of TEDxJMU, Senior Portfolio Analyst of the Phi Chi Theta Investment Fund, a member of the College of Business Student Advisory Council, and a member of the the JMU Economics Club and College Federal Reserve Challenge team. Austin spends his free time snowboarding, hiking, and volunteering.
Peer Consultant
Gabrielle Katz
Gabby is a senior International Affairs and SMAD double major from New Jersey. She serves as the Vice President of JMU's first and only sketch comedy team, Maddy Night Live. In her free time, she loves dancing, spending time with friends, traveling, watching one of John Mulaney's three comedy specials on Netflix (again), and talking about how much she loves her mom. She hopes to pursue a career that combines her passions for both helping and entertaining others.
Peer Consultant
Shanna Kelly
Shanna is a senior SMAD (journalism) and Spanish double major with a double minor in Spanish-English translation and interpretation and honors interdisciplinary studies. Shanna is the 2018-2019 Managing Editor for JMU's newspaper The Breeze, and has served as Breeze Opinion Page editor and columnist in past years. When Shanna isn't writing or editing articles, she can be found spending time with her Kappa Alpha Theta sisters or reading books in Spanish. Shanna hopes to either be a traveling journalist or a bilingual reporter.
Peer Consultant
Paige McKenzie
Paige McKenzie is a junior Media Arts and Design major from Williamsburg, Virginia, with a minor in Spanish. Her interests include making new memories with friends, painting, hand lettering, or listening to all different genres of music. She hopes to pursue a career in media planning and advertising.
Peer Consultant
Caroline Mohan
Caroline is a senior WRTC major with a minor in Political Science. She is a member of Student Government, Phi Sigma Pi Honor Fraternity, and Club Rowing. In her free time, she likes hiking and kayaking with her friends, watching classic films, and drinking coffee.
Peer Consultant
Megan Petersen
Megan is a junior English and SMAD journalism major from Warren, New Jersey. She is a writer for the Breeze and also enjoys spending time with friends, going for drives, and watching Netflix. After JMU, she hopes to pursue a career in investigative journalism.
Peer Consultant
Rochelle Podolsky
Rochelle Podolsky is a senior Interpersonal Communication Studies major with a minor in HRD on the Pre-Law track. She serves as the Vice President New Member Education on the Panhellenic Council and is an active member of Sigma Kappa Sorority and Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity. In her free time, she enjoys shopping, watching The Voice, traveling, and hanging with her friends. She hopes to attend law school.
Peer Consultant
Nico Penaranda
Nico Penaranda is a senior English major with a Creative Writing minor. He hopes to one day become an English teacher and to inspire students as he was inspired by his English teachers. Outside of academics, he enjoys playing guitar, listening to Rise Against, practicing calisthenics or bodyweight training, and wearing his signature leather jacket.
Peer Consultant
Elizabeth Ren
Elizabeth is a senior studying Economics with a concentration in Finance. She is also a part of the Madison Investment Fund, the JMU Economics Club, and Tri Sigma. Outside of school, she loves to watch Netflix (emphasis on To All the Boys I've Loved Before and Ozark), eat ice cream, and try new things. After JMU, she plans on working in finance or writing for the markets section of an international newspaper.
Peer Consultant
Adam Robb
Adam is a senior WRTC major with a minor in Religion. After graduation, he hopes to find a career in writing for a non-profit or an institution dedicated to helping others. In his spare time, he enjoys writing music, video games, meditating, reading, journaling, hiking, and stargazing.
Peer Consultant
Caroline Ryan
Caroline is a senior Dance and Communication Studies double major with an Honors Interdisciplinary Studies minor. When she’s not running between Harrison Hall and the Forbes Center, she enjoys listening to podcasts and having deep discussions about Gilmore Girls. Caroline hopes to put her Advocacy Studies concentration to use and pursue a career as a lobbyist for education or social justice organizations.
Peer Consultant
Jenna Scull
Jenna Scull is a senior majoring in Communication Studies with a minor in WRTC. Outside of the Writing Center, she is involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters and PRSSA. In her free time, Jenna enjoys playing and teaching tennis, traveling, going to concerts with friends, and watching terribly great reality TV. Looking towards the future, she would love to pursue at least one of her interests in public relations, advertising, community service, or writing.
Peer Consultant
Caroline Shawver
Caroline Shawver is a senior Psychology major and WRTC minor. When not tutoring or working as an office assistant in the Learning Centers, Caroline can be seen upstairs in the SSC grabbing food, enjoying her time with friends, or on the phone with a family member. Caroline plans to continue her education after JMU in pursuit of a fulfilling and impactful career.
Peer Consultant
Kristina Shuey
Kristina Shuey is a senior SCOM and English major with a minor in Chinese. She enjoys reading books about obscure subjects, eating delicious food (home-cooked preferably), playing video games, and daydreaming about the future.
Peer Consultant
Paige Sinno
Paige is a senior Economics and WRTC double major. She is also a part of The Madison Investment Fund and Zeta Tau Alpha. Outside of school, Paige likes to travel, surf, and cook gluten-free foods. After JMU, Paige hopes to pursue a job in financial services.
Peer Consultant
Monica Slater
Monica is a fourth-year music major concentrating in vocal performance with minors in WRTC and interdisciplinary studies. She is a member of JMU Opera Theater, JMU Opera Guild, and the Honors College. Most of her spare time is spent in voice lessons, practice rooms, opera rehearsals, and performances, but she loves to read, write, paint-by-numbers, and bake whenever she can. Recently, she was chosen as a Hillcrest Scholar. Upon graduating, Monica will pursue opera performance in tandem with technical writing.
Peer Consultant
Jemma Stratton
Jemma Stratton is a senior Social Work major with a double minor in Spanish and Family Studies. Currently, she is completing her 472-hour field placement at Western State Hospital, providing discharge planning to patientsin an extended care unit. Her interestes include dance, traveling, cats, and bad reality television. She is an active participant in JMU Belly Dance and she is also a member of the JMURJ Editorial Board. After graduating this coming May, Jemma will attend graduate school for a Masters in Social Work and pursue a career as a perinatal social worker in a NICU or Labor-and-Delivery unit.
Peer Consultant
Christine Swartz
Christine is a senior History major with a triple minor in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Secondary Education, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Licensure). She is a member of Delta Phi Epsilon Foreign Service Fraternity as well as Habitat for Humanity. In her free time, Christine enjoys reading, going on drives, and eating ice cream. After JMU, Christine hopes to teach dual-language social studies at either the middle or high school level.
Peer Consultant
Serina Tehranchi
Serina is a senior Psychology major with a double minor in Anthropology and Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication. She serves as the President, Historian, and Alumni Coordinator for the coed JMU A Capella group called Low Key. In her free time, she enjoys singing, drawing, and binge watching her favorite shows on Netflix.
Peer Consultant
Alison Weldon
Alison is a junior Communication Studies major with a minor in WRTC. She is from Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, and hopes to one day live in Philadelphia. She has loved to write since she was very young and wants a career that involves writing as much as possible. Her other interests include skiing, being with her friends and family, going to the beach, and shopping.
Administration
Director, JMU Learning Centers
Laura Schubert, Ph.D.
Laura Schubert is an Assistant Professor of Writing and teaches for the School of Writing, Rhetoric & Technical Communication. She has a Ph.D. in Composition and TESOL and experience teaching English Language Learners. Her most recent project is a first-year writing textbook, co-authored with Dr. Kurt Schick, titled So What? The Writer's Argument. She conducts research on tutoring efficacy, writing mindsets, and tutoring outcomes.
Assistant to the Director, JMU Learning Centers
Joan Fahrney
Joan Fahrney's primary duties include administrative support to the Director, departmental human resource support for hiring, payroll, wage, and audit, data analysis and reporting, and coordination of the administrative support staff.
She is currently working toward her BA in Integrated Business Informatics and Human Resource Development. In her spare time, Joan enjoys time with her family, genealogy, and antiquing.
Fixed Assets Support Technician, JMU Learning Centers
Michael Dioszeghy
Michael Dioszeghy assists with the management and maintenance of the Learning Centers’ budget and equipment. He has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Life Coaching.
He enjoys learning about new technology, computer science, paintball, and Ultimate Frisbee.
Program Support Technician, JMU Learning Centers
Adrienne Griggs
Adrienne Griggs (’10) is the Program Support Technician for the Learning Centers. She handles all of the hiring and payroll for student employees, supervises the office assistants, and oversees the program space. She founded and advises Campus Kitchen at JMU, a student organization that recovers and repurposes food to serve in the community. She is passionate about food insecurity and local food. When not on campus, you can often find her in the kitchen trying new recipes, or enjoying a game of fetch with her dogs, Paisley (chocolate lab) and Jasper (great dane).
