I am pleased to be the Writing Center Director at SVSU, working with such talented and dedicated tutors! I’ve taught freshman composition and general education literature classes at SVSU for over 15 years; during that time, I served for seven years as the Writing Center Coordinator and for two years as the First Year Writing Coordinator. My writing center research focuses on tutor training, embedded tutoring, and developing self-efficacy in student writers. I currently serve as the Co-Director for the Saginaw Bay Writing Project, and I am a member of the University Writing Committee and First Year Writing Committee.
My favorite part of the day is anytime I walk out of my office into our writing center filled with students talking, debating, and thinking aloud about their writing—as Beth Boquet says, “It is a cacophony of sound” that I never tire of hearing.
I'm a junior here at SVSU and I recently changed my major from Creative Writing to Art. I'm from a big family and love hanging out and playing music with my siblings. I'm also a French minor and hope to study abroad in Paris at some point in my college career. My two passions are art and the written word: I'm constantly writing down scraps of poetry or floral doodles onto anything I can find, including my jeans. I became a mentor because of my love of writing and because I wanted to help others see how awesome writing can be!
When my younger sister applied for SVSU and had to write several essays as well as finish a fifty plus page senior literature thesis, I got a little taste of a real mentoring experience. It was so much fun watching as she gained the confidence to eventually write without any of my help. I think that experience was what really got me excited about becoming a Writing Center mentor. I realized that this job could give me those same kind of opportunities to show someone else my passion for the written word. I have always loved to write but now, I also love helping others realize that a piece of paper doesn't have to be terrifying and that writing can be enjoyable.
I am currently a sophomore here at SVSU. I plan to major in nursing, with a minor in sociology. After I am done with school, I hope to be working in an inner-city clinic or homeless shelter as a nurse. I have a passion for the less-fortunate and for the hurting people around me.
I am currently involved with His House Christian Fellowship. People there are like family, and I enjoy the ability to be genuine with people and to live life together, pursuing our passions. In my free time, I love to take walks in nature and photograph the beauty I see around me. My friends sometimes ask me if I'm actually a grandma in a college student's body; I enjoy knitting, reading, and drinking tea. On rainy days, I love to snuggle up in comfy clothes, drink a cup of coffee, and make crafts, read, or watch a movie.
Working at the Writing Center is exciting for me because it gives me the opportunity to help people. Sometimes individuals have trouble conveying their ideas, and I deeply enjoy helping them express themselves and be successful.
I am originally from St. Louis, MI. I am junior at SVSU majoring in Social Work, minoring in Youth Services and Spanish. I am currently devoting much of my time to a new RSO known as the Saginaw Valley Student Pantry, a group designed to serve students by providing clothing, food, and other items.
I love running, dancing, and trying new recipes....all things that I am rather mediocre at but immensely enjoy. One of my favorite movies is Pride and Prejudice, my favorite author is Jodi Picoult, my favorite book is The Shack, and currently my favorite band is For King and Country. If I could live anywhere it would be Spain or Italy, because I love the food, weather, and culture, but my family needs to be there with me! A lifelong dream is to join the PeaceCorps after I complete a graduate program in Social Work.
I feel a conglomeration of emotions when I think about being a tutor for the Writing Center, but I truly hope that I will be able to learn as much from the students as they learn from me.
I’m a fourth year college student, with this being my second here at SVSU. I’m majoring in Psychology with a minor in English. I’ve enjoyed getting more involved in the SVSU community and I’m currently a member of the Psychology club and I will be studying abroad in Ireland this spring.
In my free time, I love to read (my favorite book of all time is The Secret Garden) and do anything crafty such as scrapbooking and making jewelry. I also enjoy doing yoga and Pilates. Currently, I’m learning how to play the guitar.
I’m looking forward to working at the Writing Center, because I want to help other students feel more confident about their writing. Writing for my high school newspaper helped me learn valuable skills and meet others who helped me gain confidence in my writing abilities, and I’d like to foster that confidence in others.
I am a senior, majoring in English Education. I'm pursuing minors in Chemistry and Creative Writing. I began informal tutoring after my high school graduation. I live in my home town of Bay City, and I work in Saginaw as a UAW autoworker. I have had the opportunity to live out of state and to travel abroad. I come from a large family, and I enjoy spending time with my younger brothers and sisters.
When I have the luxury of free time, I look forward to seeing films, reading fiction, writing, and playing golf and tennis. I like to attend campus and community events, so look for me and say hi. I love meeting new people!
I’m a second-year student studying Political Science, History, and Communication. I’m a Resident Assistant on-campus and a passionate member of both the Moot Court program and the Saginaw Valley Student Pantry organization. Though I appreciate the close-knit community atmosphere of my small, rural hometown, Memphis, MI, I love living in Saginaw and being part of a comparatively large and exciting community that is constantly bustling with opportunities and adventures.
I like challenging myself to step outside of my personal comfort zone, whether that be sleeping outside in a snow igloo in the middle of February, being a first-generation college student, or applying to become a mentor at the Writing Center. I’m delighted to be a Writing Center mentor and can't wait to help produce those amazing "ahh!" moments in my peers: that moment when that cartoon light bulb suddenly glows.
I am a senior Creative Writing major with minors in Professional & Technical Writing and Black studies. I was born and raised in Detroit, MI, and I thoroughly enjoy being involved in school and extra-curricular activities. I am involved in a number of RSOs, including Music 'n Motion, Standing in the Gap, Cardinal Sins, Sigma Tau Delta, and HonorCorps.
In my spare time, I enjoy reading and writing poetry and short stories, listening to music, dancing, drinking orange juice, and eating almonds. I also spend time submitting creative writing pieces in hopes of publication, competing in west coast swing dance across the Midwest, and figuring out plans for graduate school.
Tutoring reminds me of the proverb my high school English teacher drilled into me: “you can give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day. Or you can teach a man to fish, and he will eat for a lifetime. As tutors, we are teaching others to fish. We could simply doctor students’ papers, as some believe is the purpose of the Writing Center, but that would accomplish nothing except a single meal. We are building the rods, rigging the line, and collaboratively choosing the lures that will catch the “fish” that those we tutor are looking for. A byproduct of what is caught is a good grade, but more importantly, we are placing the fishing rod in hands that will use it to their benefit throughout their college career and their lifetimes.
I grew up in a small town roughly 45 minutes north of here called Beaverton. My graduation class was made up of a mere 86 students, so I know from experience that keeping a secret in small towns is nearly impossible! Surrounded by my friends, family, and a more natural environment, I grew to love and embrace nearly all those around me, as well as to develop a strong respect for and desire to be close to the environment and wildlife. I feel very blessed to grow up in such a small intimate area, and I believe much of who I am as a person is a direct result of growing up in Beaverton.
Currently, I am a Biology and Spanish major (where I am going with it, I am not sure). I am trying to make as much out of my college experience as I can, so in addition to working in the Writing Center, I am also a member of the biology club, Peer Health Educators, Dr. Lange’s undergraduate research group, and I live in the Global Community here on campus.
I consider it a great honor to be selected to work at the Writing Center.
I am a sophomore here at Saginaw Valley and am pursuing a degree in Nursing. I am a member of the University Foundation Scholars Program, and it was through this program I found myself at home at SVSU. I am currently looking to be an active member of the Pine Grove Community. I have previously used the Writing Center for guidance and for gaining knowledge to improve and strengthen my writing skills. I look forward to offering assistance to other students seeking to improve their writing abilities.
I am from Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and went to high school at Sacred Heart Academy. I participated in cross-country and track. In the past, I have spent my summers working as a Certified Nurses Aid at my local nursing home. In my spare time I enjoy listening to country music, baking, watching movies, sleeping, reading, running and spending time with my family and friends.
The reason I tutor is mainly because I want to encourage others to not be afraid to ask for help when they need it. My first semester here at SVSU, I had a hard time with Chemistry, and I sought the help of a tutor. We went over problems together, and we went over questions that I had on past tests. This experience helped me learn that asking for help is not a bad thing. It made me realize that I have my strengths and my weaknesses. I want my strength as a writer to complement the weaknesses of other students who have a hard time with writing, like my chemistry tutor did for me.
I am in the second semester of my first year here at SVSU. I am majoring in Nursing. I am a small-town, local girl. I love playing tennis, reading books, and hanging out with friends and family. I am a member of the honors program here, and am already putting a little thought into my thesis. I think I might minor in Psychology, because I am fascinated by the way the mind works. I want to be a nurse because I love helping people. This love for helping people, as well as my love for reading and writing, is what drew me to the Writing Center.
I went to a tiny high school, Chesaning Union High School. My peers often asked me to help them with their work. In Calculus, they would say 'just give me the answer, not how you found it.' In writing, they would say 'just fix the grammar, don't worry about the other stuff.' I have a pretty good eye for grammar mistakes, but I wanted to help people with the organization, word choice, and thought process behind the writers' paper. When I first heard of the Writing Center here at SVSU, I immediately knew that I wanted to one day be a tutor here. In addition, I love writing, and I am good at it. I love helping people, and it is this love for helping people that attracted me to the Writing Center.
I’m a junior double-majoring in Rhetoric and Professional Writing and Creative Writing. After I graduate, I hope to get a job as an editor and/or book designer.
I’m a huge fan of Harry Potter, comic books (especially Marvel superheroes), and anime. My dream job is to become a comic book writer. I spend much of my spare time writing and re-watching my favorite episodes of Psych, and confess to enjoying terrible music and movies. Writing is my lifelong passion, and I love being able to help people enjoy it as much as I do. I’m very excited about working in the Writing Center and being able to show people just how much they can do with writing.
I am a second year student here at SVSU. I graduated from Mayville High School, so I guess you could say I'm a country girl. I am very friendly and outgoing, and I enjoying talking to almost anyone. I am a Biology major, and a Spanish and Chemistry minor. After I graduate from SVSU, I plan to go to MSU for veterinary school. I love and always have loved animals. If I could have one of every animal in the world on a farm right now, I would, bugs and all.
Here at SVSU, I am a Foundation Scholar, member of NRHH, President of Alpha Mu Gamma, and a participant in the amazing Alternative Breaks Program. I love meeting new people and staying busy. For the past two semesters, I have worked as an English 080 Tutor at the Writing Center, and I have loved every minute of it. I am exited to further my tutoring with a wider range of students in different subjects.
I feel like many students need to feel like they can do it, not that they are in need of special attention. Another reason I tutor is because of the tutoring I have received in the writing center. It is so nice to be able to ask questions and get help with areas that you need help with. I hope that as a tutor that I can help students as much as students have helped me.
I am third year student at SVSU, and I am very proud to be a Cardinal! I am studying Secondary Education with a major in English and a minor in History. I am also a Foundation Scholar and had a wonderful opportunity to study abroad in Rome with Professor James Sullivan. Studying abroad was one of the best experiences of my life, and I caught a horrible travel bug! I plan to keep traveling to anywhere and everywhere throughout my life.
I am also a member of the Kantzler Fellowship at SVSU. So far, my group members and I have taken courses in leadership, raised money for a local grief camp for children, and volunteered as “buddies” at the grief camp. We are currently working closely with the Bay County Gardening Club and other members of the community to start beautification projects in Bay City. It is difficult but exciting work!
I was raised in Bay City, and I am still living there today. Though I love to travel, there is certainly “no place like home.” I love spending time with family, especially my little sister who shares my passion for reading and theater. I also love food, talking, Bravo TV, and quoting movies.
I'm a junior majoring in Creative Writing--which I may expand to a double major including Literature--and minoring in Philosophy. I'm also a member of theCardinal Sins staff and a member of the newly formed creative writing club, Cardinal Ink. I also recently came on to The Valley Vanguard writing staff.
Really, the only hobby I have (besides writing) is music. I like to learn songs and I've written some of my own, but my favorite thing to do with my instrument--be it guitar, bass, harmonica, etc.--is to jam.
I’m an undeclared freshman here at SVSU, who is still struggling to find my niche at the university. However, I am proud of my accomplishments as a college student so far: SVSU Honors Program, the Kantzler Fellowship, and now becoming a Writing Center mentor.
In my spare time, I like to read. My favorite authors include Chuck Palahniuk, Kurt Vonnegut, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. I also enjoy watching TV when time permits, with Parks and Recreation topping the list of my favorite shows. Mostly, I like to spend time with my family and the puppy my family got to replace me when I left for college.
I’m looking forward to working at the Writing Center and helping guide fellow college students through the writing process.
I am a fourth year student Nursing student from Midland, Michigan. I love to travel, meet new people, and try new and challenging things. Life is a wonderful journey, and I’m excited to see where it takes me next.
While not at clinical or studying, I like to spend my waking hours with family and friends. Teaching west coast swing through Music ‘n Motion and attending Standing in the Gap Christian Fellowship are things I do weekly at SVSU. I find grocery shopping relaxing and get really excited about making and eating good food. My favorite way to spend my days is smiling, and I love dancing the nights away with my best friend.
When I first came to SVSU, I sought the help of a geography tutor who taught me how to seek and think through complex answers for myself. This skill equipped me for all of my academic future, not just the next day’s exam. I am proud to be a Writing Center Mentor, and I hope that I too can help students in this way.
