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, cognition, contemplative writing, and pedagogy. He is a certified Koru Mindfulness Meditation teacher.
Assistant Professor of Writing and Liaison to CHBS
Lucy Bryan Malenke, M.F.A.
Lucy Bryan Malenke (on academic leave in Spring 2020) 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 the 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 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 in JMU's Learning Centers and a lecturer in the School of Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication. He has worked in the UWC as both an undergraduate peer consultant and a graduate teaching assistant. Rudy's research interests include composition pedagogy, intercultural communication, and rhetorics of gaming.
Graduate Writing Consultants
Graduate Assistant
Kerry Smith
Kerry Smith is a second-year WRTC graduate student. Her interests in writing include literature reviews, 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, and playing with her dog Stevie Nicks. When not in the grad lounge, you can usually find her at the gym or at her job downtown.
Graduate Assistant: Digital Specialist
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 the UWC's resident Digital Specialist, she consults with students on their digital projects and works with faculty to deliver presentations and workshops on digital storytelling platforms, content creation tools, and e-portfolios. When Samantha is not in the Learning Centers or out doing graduate work, she loves creating art and spending quality time with friends, especially if good food is involved.
Graduate Assistant
Hannah Snyder
Hannah Snyder is a second-year graduate student with the Department of English. As an undergraduate, she worked in the Writing Center at Christopher Newport University, and she is excited to once again assist a variety of students with improving their writing skills. When she’s not in class or on campus, Hannah enjoys reading medieval texts, cooking new recipes, and watching too much Frasier for her own good.
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
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 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
Ken Brown
Ken is a junior WRTC major and a Humanitarian Affairs minor. She serves as Historian for the Humanitarian Student Association and plans to work abroad after she graduates teaching English to English Language Learners. When not on campus, Ken photographs Harrisonburg and her hometown, Richmond. Her greatest legacies so far are her two cats, Maggie and Vanilla.
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. He hopes to join the Peace Corps and later work in the US Intelligence Community. In his free time, Nick enjoys playing video games, going to concerts, traveling, 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
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 hopes to pursue a career in journalism or law.
Peer Consultant
Madison Farabaugh
Madison is a junior Communication Studies 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
Kenny Graham
Kenny Graham is a junior WRTC major with a focus in Writing and Rhetoric. A transfer student from the Philadelphia area and an aspiring educator, Kenny hopes to use his interests in learning and composition to someday teach as a professor. When outside of the classroom and the UWC, he enjoys reading and reviewing fantasy and sci-fi fiction and has recently taken an interest in learning how to cook for his friends.
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 enjoys traveling, listening to live music, and cooking/baking. She hopes to pursue a career in labor and delivery nursing after graduation.
Peer Consultant
Lanie Harmeyer
Lanie is a junior Political Science major with a minor in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication on the Pre-Law track. She is involved in Student Ambassadors, the Student Government Association, and Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity. Outside of school, she loves to read books, run, and drink lots of coffee. Lanie hopes to attend law school.
Peer Consultant
Austin Jones
Austin is a fourth-year Quantitative Economics major with minors in Statistics and Data Analytics from Blacksburg, Virginia. He is a member of the College of Business Student Advisory Council, Madison Venture Group, and Madison Algorithmic Research, among other involvements on campus. Austin spends his free time snowboarding, hiking, and volunteering.
Peer Consultant
Renee Jorgensen
Renee 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. Renee is part of the co-ed business fraternity Pi Sigma Epsilon and loves hanging out with the other members. In her spare time, Renee likes to read, play with her cat, and go outside (except when it's cold).
Peer Consultant
Gabrielle Katz
Gabby is a senior International Affairs major from New Jersey. She serves as the Philanthropy Chair for Delta Phi Epsilon Foreign Service Fraternity and as an Artistic Director for Visual Distortions Dance Crew. She's also an active member of Maddy Night Live, JMU’s only sketch comedy troupe. Gabby loves spending any free time laughing with friends, watching scary movies, and eating cookies. She hopes to pursue a career that combines her passions for helping and entertaining others.
Peer Consultant
Shanna Kelly
Shanna is a senior SMAD (journalism) and Spanish double major with minors in Spanish-English Translation and Interpretation and Honors Interdisciplinary Studies. Shanna is the 2019-2020 Print Managing Editor for JMU's weekly student newspaper, The Breeze. She served last year as Breeze Opinion Editor and has written for the paper's News, Culture, and Opinion pages since 2016. When Shanna isn't editing and writing for The Breeze or consulting in the UWC, she spends time with her Kappa Alpha Theta sisters or reading books in Spanish. Shanna hopes to work as a traveling journalist or a bilingual reporter.
Peer Consultant
Jordan Koenig
Jordan is a junior WRTC major with a minor in History from Midlothian, Virginia. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends, playing piano, and watching movies. She is passionate about writing, history, and writing about history. Jordan hopes to pursue a career in analytical writing after finishing school.
Peer Consultant
Jack Mairs
Jack is a sophomore from Richmond, Virginia, majoring in Marketing. When he isn't studying, Jack enjoys hiking, playing video games, overanalyzing pop culture, and hanging out with friends.
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
Nico Penaranda
Nico is a senior English major with a Creative Writing minor. He loves poetry and hopes to continue writing and teaching it after graduating. Outside of academics, you can find him dj’ing for the JMU EDM Club, playing guitar, or wearing his signature leather jacket. He also frequently changes his hair color.
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 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
Mary Pat Quinn
Mary Pat is a sophomore Political Science major and a WRTC minor. Outside of the Writing Center, she serves on the Sigma Sigma Sigma Executive Board as the Panhellenic Delegate. She spends her free time hanging out with friends, watching YouTube, and dragging herself to the gym. She aspires to live in D.C. and to work on Capitol Hill.
Peer Consultant
Elizabeth Ren
Elizabeth is a senior studying Economics from northern Virginia. She is also involved in the Madison Investment Fund and Tri Sigma Sorority. She's passionate about food, and every/all dogs, and spreading positivity. In the future, she hopes to work for a foundation or write for the Wall Street Journal.
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
Caroline Shawver
Caroline Shawver is a senior pursuing a major in Psychology and a minor in WRTC. In addition to her studies, consulting, working as an office assistant, and participating in research, Caroline spends her time alongside friends. Caroline is passionate about feeding the soul, laughing often, and being intentional. Upon graduation, Caroline hopes to work for a year before going back to school.
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
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 an active member in JMU’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity. In addition to working at the Writing Center, Christine also works at English Language Learner Services as an English Language Peer Educator. In her free time, Christine loves to read and write, go to the beach, and stargaze. After college, she hopes to teach social studies at a middle or high school level with a focus on helping students acquire English.
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
Hannah Topczewski
Hannah is a junior WRTC major with minors in sociology and environmental humanities. She is a member of JMU's service sorority, Gamma Sigma Sigma, as well as the Environmental Management Club. In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga, taking UREC classes, and rewatching Parks and Rec. She hopes to pursue a career in the social justice / humanitarian field.
Peer Consultant
Michael Turner
Michael is a junior WRTC and Spanish double major with a minor in Creative Writing. On top of his studies, consulting, and making your favorite drinks at Dunkin, Michael likes to spend his time cooking, eating too much food, and laughing with friends. Upon graduation, he hopes to finally have figured out what he wants to do with his life. He's sure it'll include lots of writing.
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.
Digital Specialist
Stephanie Whitehouse
Stephanie is a senior SMAD Interactive Design major and German major. She enjoys all things design and technology, and is excited to help students turn routine class projects into meaningful, professional pieces! Whether that means helping others discover their personal brand, build/design interactive content, or establish their portfolios and online presence, Stephanie is always on the hunt for new tips, tools and tricks. When she's not working as a UWC Media Fellow, you can find her on the 5th floor of Rose Library working as a Media Production Assistant, adoring coffee, blogging, taking long walks on the beach, and reading Chris Bailey's newest releases
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.
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).
