M.A. in English

Why did you choose graduate school at IUPUI?

I chose IUPUI because I was impressed with the level of investment displayed by the professors. I have been continually impressed with their time, care, and attention, and feel that the quality of education I receive as a result is not only high, but personalized. In addition, I had the opportunity to work in the University Writing Center as a Student Assistant Director, which provides me meaningful work that I love, but also the ability to perform research and writing relevant to my thesis.

What has been your favorite academic accomplishment since you’ve been here?

My favorite accomplishment so far is Kindness Week, which was a workshop and event series I originated in order to make the invisible work of connection visible on campus, and that featured Leon Logothetis from Netflix’s “The Kindness Diaries” as a keynote speaker.

What do you enjoy most about life in Indianapolis?

I love that Indianapolis has a variety of interesting museums, parks, and art galleries, and that the food scene is really blossoming.

Please provide some details about your work/research as a graduate student and/or any activities you are involved in.

I work as the Community Support Graduate Student Administrator in the University Writing Center, which asks that, in addition to consulting with students about their writing, I organize committee coordinators and committee work and provide support for our mentor program. I also act as a teaching assistant in the training course for students interesting in becoming writing consultants. My research and intended thesis center on the definition(s) of connection, why and how connection occurs, and the pedagogy and values that result from this line of inquiry. It seeks to prove that connection is necessary in order for students to establish agency and critical thinking, and proposes that connection takes place in three different ways, before identifying the practices instructors, administrators, and writing consultants can adopt in order to apply connection as a pedagogy.