Juli Parrish, Director
Dr. Juli Parrish has directed the DU Writing Center since 2015. Her degrees are in English, focusing on composition, rhetoric, literacy, and pedagogy. Other areas of knowledge include fan fiction, detective novels, knitting, and world flags and capitals. Juli co-edits the open access, peer-reviewed journal Literacy in Composition Studies and is currently the President of the Rocky Mountain Writing Centers Association.
Olivia Tracy, Writing Center Assistant Director
We are happy to welcome Dr. Olivia Tracy, our new Assistant Director and Teaching Assistant Professor in Writing, who begins her work with us this fall. You may know Olivia from her time in the doctoral program in English, or from the DU Guerilla Craft Society or from faculty writing groups she's facilitated. Olivia's focus on embodied teaching, collaborative writing, and intentional listening and observation is going to benefit our staff and your students in the coming three years.
Megan Kelly, Writing Center Faculty Fellow
The Writing Center was fortunate to have Megan Kelly, Teaching Professor in Writing, as its Assistant Director for the past five years; her emphasis on accessibility, trauma-informed consulting, neurodiversity, and antiracist teaching and tutoring practices has helped us to invite DU students to bring their whole selves--and all their literacies--into our physical and Zoom spaces. Megan continues to serve as a Writing Center Faculty Fellow and as the Program Coordinator for Faculty Writing Groups , so you will be seeing her if you attend Writing Program retreats or Faculty Writing Accountability Groups this year!
Geoff Stacks, Faculty Fellow
Dr. Geoff Stacks, Teaching Professor of Writing and Writing Center Faculty Fellow, serves as a mentor to our staff, drawing on his many years of teaching and tutoring experience to help our consultants to be thoughtful and intentional in the work they do with writers. Geoff's degrees are in American modern and postmodern fiction, literary theory, and philosophy, and his other areas of knowledge include birding, Bob Dylan, playing music, and being able to name all the American presidents in alphabetical order.
Amanda Thompson, Program Manager
Ms. Amanda Thompson, MA, is the Program Manager for the Writing Program and Writing Center. Amanda's formal education was in history, political science, interdisciplinary international relations, and leadership. Her other areas of knowledge include military life, politics, motherhood, and living abroad, and she can speak a little German, mostly using kitchen and restaurant terms.
Writing Center Faculty & Staff
Russell Brakefield (he/him), Writing Center Faculty Fellow
my teaching style: enthusiastic, engaging, curious
areas of study: creative writing, composition and rhetoric, environmental studies
other knowledges: folk music, environmental studies, editorial and publishing work
other jobs: writer, editor
languages: English (fluent)
places I’ve lived: Michigan, Colorado
Rob Gilmor (he/him), Writing Center Faculty Fellow
my teaching style: collaborative, exploratory, empathetic
areas of study: writing studies, history of rhetoric, rhetoric and theory
other knowledges: Star Wars, random pop culture knowledge
other jobs: dad, Star Wars RPG DM, Coordinator of the DU Community Writing Center at Gathering Place
languages: English (fluent)
places I’ve lived: Grand Junction, CO; Chicago, IL; Charlotte, NC
Briana H (she/her), Consultant and Resource Coordinator
my consulting style: supportive, creative, detailed
areas of study: English
other knowledges: crochet, vegan cooking, yoga, running
other jobs: editor, book summary writer
languages: English (fluent)
places I’ve lived: New York, Boston
Char R (she/her)
my style working with writers: friendly, understanding, helpful
areas of study: sociology
other knowledges: poetry, sports, pop culture, politics, fishing/outdoor activities, drawing
other jobs: retail merchandiser, youth softball coach, food bank volunteer, YMCA volunteer
languages: English (fluent)
places I’ve lived: Utah, Colorado
Emily G (she/her), Consultant
my consulting style: curious, enthusiastic, creative
areas of study: psychology , writing, Spanish
other knowledges: music, cooking, foraging, gardening, sewing, poetry, Shakespeare, medieval architecture, art history, paper making, swing dancing
other jobs: barista, tutor, COVID vaccine clinic administrator
languages: English (fluent), Spanish (proficient), Dutch (conversational)
places I’ve lived: Colorado, Arizona, Netherlands
Gisselle L H (she/her), Consultant
my consulting style: creative, motivated, resourceful
areas of study: international human rights, political science, Mexican American studies, legal studies
other knowledges: planning trips, shopping, Mexico, the gym
other jobs: cooperation job employee, customer service rep
languages: English (fluent), Spanish
places I’ve lived: Mexico
Halley R (she/her), Consultant
my consulting style: flexible, imaginative, creative
areas of study: English, history
other knowledges: children's bookselling trends, journalling, stress baking, collecting recipes, the show Twin Peaks
other jobs: bookseller, book reviewer, line editor, content editor
languages: English (fluent)
places I’ve lived: Seattle, Korea
Hunter S (he/him), Consultant
my consulting style: patient, understanding, diligent
areas of study: English literature
other knowledges: theatre/Broadway, Dungeons and Dragons and other tabletop games, philosophy, horror movies
other jobs: Barnes and Noble bookseller, Safeway "courtesy clerk", library bookkeeper, volunteer reader for a journal of dramatic lit
languages: English (fluent)
places I’ve lived: Salt Lake City, UT; Santa Rosa, CA; Portland, OR; Dublin (yes, the one in Ireland)
Isla L (she/they), Consultant
my consulting style: collaborative, empathetic, flexible
areas of study: English, creative writing, political science, women and gender studies
other knowledges: journalistic writing, poetry, movies, podcasting, table top RPGs
other jobs: journalist for The Colorado Times Recorder, data cleaner, supermarket cashier, library volunteer, law firm intern
languages: English (fluent)
places I’ve lived: Fort Lauderdale, FL; Saint Augustine, FL; Too Much of Florida
Jacquelyn W (she/her), Consultant
my consulting style: patient, comprehensive, encouraging
areas of study: religion, political science, TEFL certification
other knowledges: global affairs, politics, travel, how to pack efficiently, South/ Southeast Asian religious history
other jobs: returned Peace Corps volunteer, 2-Year AmeriCorps alumni, Red Cross disaster responder
languages: English (fluent), Serer (intermediate)
places I’ve lived: Ohio, California, Louisiana, France, India, Thailand, China, Senegal, Malaysia
Jane H (she/her), Consultant
my consulting style: intuitive, empowering, rigorous
areas of study: poetry, theatre arts, communications
other knowledges: stagecraft, equestrian sports, fiber arts, literary magazines, dog-petting
other jobs: college writing instructor, grant-writer, professional proofreader, literary magazine editor, independent bookstore clerk, stagehand, horseback riding instructor
languages: English (fluent)
places I’ve lived: Metro Detroit, MI; Kalamazoo, MI; Chicago, IL; Iowa City, IA
Joseph L (he/him), Consultant
my consulting style: engaging, inquisitive, grateful
areas of study: behavioral neuroscience, psychology
other knowledges: world history, skiing (backcountry and downhill), nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, self-improvement
other jobs: psychiatric technician, guest teacher, professional research assistant, Kumon-math grader, adaptive snow sports-blocker
languages: English (fluent)
places I’ve lived: NYC; Northern NJ; Canton, NY; Salt Lake City, UT; Denver, CO; Boulder, CO
Kylie J (she/her), Admin
my style working with writers: focused, creative, inquisitive
areas of study: political science, socio-legal studies, computer science
other knowledges: ballet, pilates, video games, fictional book-worlds
other jobs: ballet teacher, ballet dancer, gymnastics dance coach, snack bar cashier
languages: English (fluent), Spanish (beginner)
places I’ve lived: Claremont, CA; Boston, MA; New York, NY
Lili H (she/they), Consultant (back in winter 2024!)
my consulting style: collaborative, positive, creative
areas of study: psychology
other knowledges: frisbee coaching, knitting, constructing small household furniture, following assembly instructions, Xenobots (really cool living robots)
other jobs: short comic illustrator, director
languages: English (fluent)
places I’ve lived: California; New York; Massachusetts; Denver, CO
Lydia M (she/her), Admin
my style working with writers: kind, patient, creative
areas of study: English
other knowledges: plant care, drawing, yoga
other jobs: barista, ice cream scooper, music festival server, hotel employee
languages: English (fluent), Spanish (beginner)
places I’ve lived: Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Colorado Springs, CO; Berthoud, CO
Mario M (he/they), Consultant
my consulting style: inquisitive, dynamic, patient
areas of study: journalism, psychology, marketing, communications
other knowledges: cooking, fighting games, anime, competition (specifically the improvement process)
other jobs: babysitter, tutor for my cousins (my family is MASSIVE), charity event organizer
languages: English (fluent), Portuguese (fluent), Spanish (proficient)
places I’ve lived: Houston, TX; Washington, DC; Denver, CO; Lisbon, Portugal; Luanda, Angola
Mary Helen C (she/her), Consultant
my consulting style: exploratory, enthusiastic, encouraging
areas of study: poetry, English, art history
other knowledges: plants, 80s-90s B movie thrillers, renaissance art, country music
other jobs: poetry instructor, greeting card risograph printer, day-lily farm worker, barista
languages: English (fluent), Italian(beginner), Spanish (begiinner)
places I’ve lived: a medieval monastery in a small Tuscan village ; Columbus, GA; Athens, GA; St. Louis, MO
Mary E (she/her), Consultant
my consulting style: collaborative, thoughtful, fun
areas of study: English, social work, law
other knowledges: cooking, embroidery, bad puns, gardening, anything with a powertool
other jobs: server, bartender, policy intern, dogsitter extraordinaire
languages: English (fluent), Spanish (advanced)
places I’ve lived: North Carolina, New Orleans, Italy, Denver
Rishi L (he/him), Consultant and Blog/Podcast Coordinator
my consulting style: conversational, collaborative, learner-centered
areas of study: music
other knowledges: guitar performance, film photography, animation, music production
other jobs: music department paraprofessional, podcast sound designer, teaching fellow (Princeton in Asia), ethnomusicology research assistan t
languages: English (fluent), Mandarin (beginner)
places I’ve lived: Macau, Chicago, Colorado Springs
Sarah D (she/her), Consultant and Coordinator
my consulting style: curious, collaborative, open
areas of study: English, creative writing
other knowledges: mediocre vegetable gardening, spirituality, the Midwest, thrifting, foraging
other jobs: barista, landscaper, tutor, poetry press intern, library research assistant
languages: English (fluent)
places I’ve lived: Wisconsin, Indiana, Ireland, my parents’ basement
Tory M (they/them), Consultant
my consulting style: curious, clear, non-judgmental
areas of study: religion, Masters of Divinity, film, gender studies, creative writing
other knowledges: bullet journaling, table top RPGs, knitting, house plants, sewing, foster care and adoption, birding
other jobs: youth pastor, Girl Scouts of Colorado community outreach organizer, barista, spotlight technician, program coordinator, nanny
languages: English (fluent), Spanish (intermediate), ASL (beginner)
places I’ve lived: Nederland, CO; Boulder, CO; Westminster, CO; Arvada, CO; Denver, CO
Will L (he/him), Consultant
my consulting style: respectful, efficient, helpful
areas of study: political science, history, international relations
other knowledges: research, life guarding, tech
other jobs: research assistant, tour guide, lifeguard, intern at Free Russia Foundation
languages: English (fluent), French (intermediate)
places I’ve lived: Fredericksburg, VA; Boston, MA; Denver, CO