The Honors College Writing Center

Maddie is a senior English major with a minor in Public Relations. After growing up in the unrelenting heat of Phoenix, Maddie is more than happy to call Flagstaff home—she even claims to love the snow despite not knowing how to drive in it. Outside of her English classes, Maddie is a self-proclaimed “choir kid” who loves to belt musical theatre songs in her car and annoy her roommates with obscure Broadway facts. Maddie plans to one day work in book ublishing; however, for now she is eager to put her editing skills to use within the Writing Center (while also indulging in the Writing Center snacks, of course).

Matthias is a sophomore double majoring in Biomedical Science and German. His goal is to become a doctor so he can turn his passion for monologuing about health into a career. He grew up in the cactus-ridden city of Tucson, Arizona, and came to Flagstaff to get away from all of the hateful plant life. In his leisure time, he enjoys being an insufferable health freak who can ruin any social event with his long-winded soliloquies on the benefits of fish oil. His physical activity of choice is calisthenics, which he views as an expression of defiance and contempt towards his greatest enemy, gravity. He hopes to one day be the old man doing enigmatic exercises in the park at 4:00 am.

Emily is going into her fourth (but not final) year at NAU majoring in Geology and Secondary Education with an emphasis in Earth Science. Emily has a passion for science education and communicating climate change effectively in a variety of formats. She firmly believes that writing is the most important form of communication we have as humans and that anyone can be a writer. It is one thing to have knowledge, but it is another thing entirely to be able to share that knowledge for others to understand. Emily is looking forward to helping Honors students refine their writing skills and synthesize their ideas to produce written works they are truly proud of.

Ryn is currently a sophomore majoring in mathematics and double minoring in statistics and actuarial sciences. She grew up in Tucson, Arizona, and loves the desert. In her free time, Ryn likes to read, watch Netflix, and try new recipes. Ryn’s plan is to become an actuary after college and save up to retire on a small farm.

Michaela is a Secondary Education – English major, and she plans on teaching high school students someday. She spends most of her time obsessively playing the Sims 4, re-watching Disney movies for the millionth time, and embarrassing herself during Zumba class. Originally from the scorching city of Peoria, Arizona, Michaela can often be spotted bundled up in a fuzzy blanket while dreaming of summer pool parties. As a junior, Michaela still has some time to explore all that NAU has to offer, including unsuccessfully dodging Starship robots and unwisely procrastinating on Spanish homework. To view the rare Michaela, one must visit her natural habitat, the Honors Writing Center, by scheduling an appointment at Honors.Writing@nau.edu.

Kara is a senior Chemistry major with a minor in Biology. Kara hopes to implement her Chemistry major by becoming a water chemist who determines and monitors water quality. She grew up in Huntington Beach, California, and loves to visit her hometown whenever Flagstaff weather becomes too chilly. Despite her major, Kara is very passionate about reading and writing, which motivated her to become an Honors Writing Center Tutor. Given her major and interests, Kara loves to discuss anything from science-related topics to books and plays.

Gabby is a senior majoring in Environmental & Sustainability Studies, with minors in International Studies, Philosophy, and Arabic. She grew up in Gilbert, Arizona, and enjoys activities such as sketching, backpacking, coaching swim team, and writing the beginnings of fantasy novels that will probably never see their conclusions. Her eventual goal is to work on diplomatic issues surrounding the environment and transnational conflict, and conduct research for the UN, USAID, or other international organizations. In case this career choice doesn’t work out though (or maybe even if it does), her backup plan is to join a jousting troupe and travel with Renaissance Faires across the country.

Trevor is a 21-year-old senior who still lives in his parents’ house, but to change the stereotype, not in the basement. As can be inferred, he grew up in Flagstaff and decided eighteen years of mountain-town living wasn’t enough. From an academic perspective, his time at NAU is used to study journalism and edit for The Lumberjack, the school’s student newspaper. From a more accurate standpoint, however, Trevor’s days are devoted to wondering about graduate programs, laughing with Barb and the tutors, and traveling on way too many weekends. He’ll make plenty of corny and cheesy jokes, surely, but would also love to review your paper(s). Even better is proof-reading resumés or practicing interviews, his absolute favorite!

Miranda is a senior at NAU who, after switching her major at least four times, has finally landed on Psychology and Creative Media and Film. She was born and raised in Prescott, Arizona. There, she spent her time hiking, playing music, vibing, and dreaming of the time when she would one day be an NAU Lumberjack. Dreams really do come true! (She also dreams of one day being taller than 5’2; this, alas, is much less likely. However, her fingers remain crossed.) After graduation, Miranda is interested in pursuing screenwriting or counseling. In the meantime, she can be found awaiting your next great paper at the Writing Center!

Barb has served as the Writing Center Coordinator for more than 10 years.  A graduate of UC Berkeley, she spent 15 years as a writer/editor in the San Francisco Bay Area working in public relations, publishing, and marketing for healthcare educational associations and healthcare computer systems. She has written magazine articles, newsletters, press releases, product brochures, speeches, video and slide show scripts, grant proposals, and puns. After leaving California for the wilds of Arizona, she taught on the Navajo Reservation at Navajo Community College and St. Michael’s High School and worked as a freelance writer and editor. In New Mexico, she volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused/neglected children. Her husband is happily retired; they have two wonderful (sometimes) sons, ages 25 and 27, a bunch of chickens and one nasty rooster, and two cats, one of whom is an insane psycho killer.