Graduate Assistant Bios

Javaria Afghani is a first year M.A.W.P. student and a Graduate Assistant in the Writing Center. She has experience working within writing and tutoring centers and enjoys the creative process of collaborating in such settings. In 2007, she received her B.A. in English with a Spanish minor from Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL. Of particular interest to Javaria are poetry and creative non-fiction, but outside of English studies she enjoys walking throughout the city, trying new cuisine, and frequenting museums.

Jessica Block is a first year M.A.W.P. student and a Graduate Assistant in the Writing Center. In May of 2009, she earned her B.A. from Illinois Wesleyan University where she majored in English-writing (specializing in poetry) and minored in history. Born and raised in Bloomington, Illinois, some of Jessica's favorite things are autumn, reading, music, making things, cooking and dinner parties, laying in hammocks, the sound cars make on gravel, and spending time with friends.

Paul Blom, a second-year student in the M.A.E. program, works in the University Center for Writing-based Learning as a tutor and an office manager. Originally from Georgia, he graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a B.A. in English and a minor in Creative Writing in May, 2008. He recently got engaged and plans to continue his education in an English doctoral program or law school.

Zac Brenner is a second year M.A.E. student and Graduate Assistant. He also did his undergraduate work at DePaul with a major in Religious Studies. He has worked at the University Center for Writing-based Learning since 2006, and he also works for the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse as a technology consultant. In his spare time, Zac enjoys studying Classical languages, bowling, and relaxing on his family's horse farm in Massachusetts. After graduation he plans to teach high school back in the Northeast.

Meredith Ferrill is in her second year in the M.A.W.P. program. She is a graduate of the University of Colorado, where she received her B.A. in English and Psychology and minor in Dance. She feels very lucky to be working for Richard Jones as a graduate assistant editing the journal, Poetry East.

Christine Hunter is a second year M.A.E. student and a Graduate Assistant in the Writing Center. She received her B.A. in English from Purdue University in Indiana in 2008. After working for many years as a Paralegal in various law firms and raising a family, Christine has decided to pursue her lifelong dream of obtaining a PhD in English, teaching at the college level and publishing her short stories, novels and poems. She has also been fortunate enough to have acquired experience working at the Writing Center at Purdue University as both a tutor and a Supplemental Instructor. Christine enjoys working with other students. She is originally from Pennsylvania and she loves to travel, read, golf and paint.

Mike McNamara is a second-year M.A.E. student and a Graduate Assistant in the Writing Center. He has experience as a TEFL teacher, and his academic interests, other than English, include Spanish and Latin American literature.

Jamie Somerville is a second year M.A.W.P. student and a Graduate Assistant in the Writing Center. Originally from Michigan, she graduated from the University of Michigan in 2008 with majors in English and Communication Studies and a minor in Political Science. Jamie is especially interested in creative nonfiction, personal essays and memoirs. She also enjoys live music (especially when outside), theater, reading, writing, running and attempting to squeeze learning how to play the guitar into her schedule.

Molly Tranberg is a first year M.A.W.P. student and a Graduate Assistant for the English Graduate Programs. She received her B.A. in Professional Writing and French from Michigan State University in 2009. Her academic areas of interest include editing and style, modern French and francophone literature, and creative non-fiction. When Molly is not trying to explain to people what professional writing is, she is crocheting at lightning speed. She has not yet figured out how to crochet a hat or other circular object that does not end up lumpy.

Katie Wesolek began the M.A.E. program in January 2009. In undergrad, she studied Education at the American campus of Universidad Anahuac which is located in Mexico City. She is also currently completing thesis work for a licentiate in Religious Studies from Regina Apostolorum in Rome. She enjoys good conversations about philosophy and theology, drawing and painting, salsa dancing, hosting dinner parties, writing poetry, and discovering the Catholic heritage of Chicago.