Tochukwu Ngwu
WRTC M.A. ('24)

Tochukwu Ngwu earned his M.A. in WRTC in 2024. For his Capstone Project, Tochukwu worked with the West African Regional Center of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) as a communications expert. In this role, he helped support YALI’s social media and content strategy efforts.

As part of his capstone internship, Tochukwu traveled to Ghana for onsite work with the West African communications team, a collaboration between YALI and JMU's Center for International Stabilization and Recovery. Tochukwu currently teaches first-year writing at JMU.

Mohammad Saifullai
WRTC M.A. ('24)

Mohommed Saifullai earned his M.A. in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication in 2024. During his time in WRTC, Saif sharpened his writing and communication skills and developed a strong foundation in professional writing. For his capstone project, Saif interned at the Embassy of Ghana in Washington, D.C., where he assisted with writing, documentation processing, and content creation.

Since graduating, Saif accepted a position as a Language Arts teacher at Al Huda School in College Park, Maryland. With over two decades of teaching experience, Saif is eager to continue doing what he loves—helping students develop their writing and communication skills.

Connor Allen
WRTC M.A. ('23)

Conner Allen earned her M.A. in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication in 2023. For her capstone project, she interned as a creative content writer with Bozzuto, a Maryland-based real estate company. During her internship, she wrote and designed social media, website content, and internal communications. This experience gave Conner insights into writing and brand storytelling for luxury real estate and corporate environments.

Connor now works as science writer for Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. She wants future WRTC students to know that “even if you don't think you're fully qualified, apply for the job! Be confident in yourself and know how to communicate your skills." 

Henry Barden
WRTC M.S. ('23)

Henry Barden earned his Master of Science in WRTC in 2023. During his time in the program, he studied publication management, technical communication, and professional editing. For his capstone project, Henry interned at The White House Council on Environmental Quality in Washington D.C.

Henry currently works as an Environmental Protection Specialist for the Federal Highway Administration in Boston, Massachusetts. In this role, he draws from his WRTC training to develop program management strategies for the Federal-Aid Highway Program. When asked for advice for future graduate students, Henry emphasized that students shouldn’t “be afraid to make a big move. Sometimes life puts you on an unexpected and non-linear path, so don’t be afraid to take chances.”

Nina Varma
WRTC B.A. ('17)
WRTC M.S. ('19)

Nina Varma is a double-Duke who earned her Bachelor of Arts in WRTC and a minor in Spanish. She completed her Master of Science in WRTC with an emphasis on multimedia, branding, graphic design, and publication management. Her interests in project management propelled her into Agile development—an iterative approach to project management and software development.

In 2020, Nina reignited her passion for learning and became a Certified Scrum Master. Shortly thereafter, she joined General Dynamics Information Technology where she worked on secret clearance projects for Air Force eSeries aircraft, weapons, and satellites. She currently works as a Scrum Lead for NBCUniversal.

Madiha Patel
WRTC M.A. ('20)

Madiha Patel earned her Master of Arts in WRTC in 2020. Prior to joining the program, she participated in peacebuilding efforts that focused on local interfaith initiatives. After completing a Bachelor’s in International and Religious Studies at Towson University, she sought to expand her understanding of how human rights, foreign affairs, and peacebuilding efforts in theory translated into practice locally and globally. This interest brought her to WRTC where she gained frameworks to enhance communication in peacebuilding spaces.

Madiha currently provides grant writing services and communication strategies to community-based nonprofits. Her WRTC training in professional writing, literacy building, and rhetoric are critical to her work in supporting nonprofits serving marginalized communities.

Morgan Vega Gomez
WRTC M.S. ('19)

Morgan Vega Gomez completed her Master of Arts in WRTC while working full-time in marketing at James Madison University. For her graduate capstone, Morgan interned at the intersectional feminist publisher, Kore Press, and received a travel grant to work on-site in Tucson, Arizona. 

Morgan is currently the Associate Sales Manager at No Starch Press, a publishing company that focuses on computer programming, security, hacking, alternative operating systems, and STEM. In her role, Morgan strategizes marketing campaigns, builds stakeholder relationships, and creates digital assets. 

Emily Knapp
WRTC M.A. ('18)

Emily Knapp earned a Masters of Arts in WRTC in 2018 after studying Cinema and Sociology as an undergraduate at Virginia Commonwealth University. Emily joined the WRTC graduate program to expand her research, writing, and documentary film skills. She is currently a Communications and Marketing Manager at iDE Global, an international nonprofit in Denver, CO that creates income and livelihood opportunities for low-resource, rural households.

Emily manages iDE's digital assets, provides general communications support, and creates video content. "My WRTC graduate courses and the people I met during my time in the program gave me the skills to land a job I love. I will carry what I have learned with me throughout the rest of my career."

MacKenzie Kelley
WRTC M.A. ('17)

Mackenzie Kelley received her Bachelor of Arts in WRTC in 2015 and her Master of Arts in WRTC in 2017. After graduating, she served as a technical writer with a federal contractor in Washington, D.C. where she worked with senior proposal managers and subject matter experts to craft government proposals.

Mackenzie has also worked as a freelancer with a FinTech start-up company founded by JMU alumni. In this role, she used her writing and graphic design skills to create white papers, pitch decks, presentations, marketing materials, and more. Mackenzie is currently a Capture and Proposal Strategist at Palantir Technologies. 

Emily Diamond
WRTC M.A. ('17)

Emily Diamond graduated with a Masters of Arts in WRTC in 2017. During her time in the program, she studied content management and medical communication. After graduating, Emily worked for a federal contractor in Virginia as a proposal writer and communications manager.

In this role, Emily collaborated alongside subject matter experts in the fields of defense systems, IT, and healthcare to provide technical solutions for federal bids. Emily is currently a Technical Writer and Product Owner at Lumen Technologies. 

Jen Oskin
WRTC M.A. ('16)

Jen Oskin earned a Masters of Arts in WRTC in 2016. After graduating, she moved to the Midwest to begin a professional career as a copywriter. She spent two years working in higher education marketing before transitioning into legal writing. Jen currently works as a copywriter for the State Bar of Wisconsin.

In this role, she works with a team of marketing specialists and graphic designers to promote the Bar’s products and services to its 25,000+ members. When asked about her experience with WRTC, Jen notes that the program "provided her with a strong foundational toolkit to evolve and thrive in a variety of roles over the course of her career."