Rebekah graduated from Madonna University in 2014 with a double major in Writing and English. She attended the University of Toledo for her master’s degree, which she received in 2016, and she is currently completing her dissertation on women’s fin de siècle poetry at the University of Delaware. A former writing center tutor at Madonna, she is thrilled to return as Senior Coordinator!
Scream, a blow-up figure inspired by Edvard Munch’s renowned painting of the same name, is the Writing Center’s official mascot. Scream represents the way many students feel when they initially receive writing assignments. Fortunately, the gifted Writing Center tutors understand this and can help students with writing-related anxiety by helping them improve their writing skills and confidence.
Janelle Affiong Effiwatt is a teacher, tutor, and creative storyteller. The author
of two books, Like a Thin Hustle (Letter Machine 2019) and Food & Flowers (Phantom Letters 2022), holds an
MFA from The Iowa Writers’ Workshop.
Writing Center Specialist Marian Gonsior is a Madonna alum (Class of ’03), former adjunct associate professor in Composition and ESL, and former staff member of Madonna University. She has worked as a volunteer gardener, as member of the Village Herb Associates group, and at Greenfield Village, where she enjoys sharing information about the modern and historical uses of herbs and their cultivation. Recently, she became a Laudato Si Animator of Animators for the Laudato Si’ Movement, finding in this encyclical of Pope Francis much wisdom concerning love for the natural world, activism in healing the global environment, and support for the Biblical mandate to care for creation and the poor.
Russell graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Master’s Degree in Art History. He is adjunct faculty in art history at EMU, HFC and CCS, teaching Modern, African, and Asian Art. When not teaching or tutoring, he enjoys playing musical instruments and with his kitty, Zoya.
Caleb graduated from Michigan State University in 2011 with a B.A. in English and a Michigan Teaching Certification. In 2014 he received from Temple University his MFA in Creative Writing. Today Caleb works as a professional adjunct instructor and writing tutor. When he is not teaching his interests include printmaking, woodworking, painting and video art.
Sister Joan, a Bernardine Franciscan Sister, earned her B.A. in English and Secondary Education, at Alvernia University and M.A. in Religious Studies at Aquinas College. With years of experience as an English teacher and later as a professional writing tutor at Madonna University, Sister has supported university students in their process of improving their writing skills across the curriculum. Her outside interests include reading, camping, playing cards, walking, and enjoying nature.
Cat Vinopal received her undergraduate degree in Creative Writing from Albion College in 2019. Following graduation, she went on to pursue her master’s in Literature from the University of Toledo. She has since worked as an adjunct instructor and tutor, is actively learning how to transcribe braille, and working toward the publication of her fantasy novel.
Jennifer received her B.A. in English Literature and Communication Arts from Madonna University and her M.A. in creative writing and folklore from Wayne State University. Jennifer has worked as an adjunct professor at various universities including Wayne State University and Madonna University, but really enjoys the opportunity to work one-on-one with students that the Writing Center allows. When Jennifer isn’t at the Writing Center, she can be found reading, kayaking, quilting, and leading Girl Scouts.
My name is Maddy Brigance and I am from Grand Blanc, Michigan. I am majoring in exercise science with aspirations to become a physical therapist. I am also on the women’s golf team at Madonna University. I have been golfing for 10 years and have played at many courses across the state. When I’m not golfing I like to attend University of Michigan football, basketball, and hockey games with my dad. Additionally, I like to shop, travel, and try new restaurants with my friends and family. I’m really excited to have joined the WC team this year and I look forward to sharing my writing knowledge with my peers.
Isabelle is a senior majoring in Early Childhood Education and plans to become an elementary school teacher. She grew up in Farmington and graduated from Farmington High School. In addition to being a peer tutor, Isabelle loves playing violin in the string ensemble, and she is a member of the Early Childhood Club and of Madonna Pen. In her free time, she loves crocheting, reading fiction, and spending time with her family and two dachshunds, Luna and Lanie.
Mo is majoring in Secondary Education for Mathematics with a minor in History. He plays on the reserve Men’s Basketball Team and also works in academic tutoring for math, history, and study skills. Mo wants to go on to be a Graduate Assistant for D1 men’s basketball team when done at Madonna. Though he spends the majority of his time with classes, tutoring, and basketball, Mo spends what little spare time he has playing video games with friends, making art, watching movies and sports, geeking over Marvel and Star Wars, and advocating against pineapple on pizza and black licorice.
Amira is majoring in Sign Language Interpreting studies and plans to become an American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter. Growing up in Dearborn, MI, her first languages are both English and Arabic, and she has become fluent in ASL after studying the language for seven years. When not busy with school, Amira likes to play video games, binge-watch anime and tv shows, and dabbles in the arts here and there. Embroidery, painting, drawing, and sculpting are a few of the many art forms she likes to do.
Hi! I am pursuing forensic science, with a minor in chemistry and biology, here at Madonna! I am from Caledonia, MI, on the West side of the state, and I graduated from the West Michigan Aviation Academy. When not doing schoolwork, I enjoy spending time with family & friends, painting, reading, photography, going to concerts, and all types of adventures outside.
Kamille is majoring in Language Arts and minoring in Elementary Curriculum and Sign Language Studies. She has self-published three children's books and one poetry book under the pseudonym K.O. Scop. When not at school, she enjoys writing, photography, playing the piano, painting, drawing, and spending time with her rabbit, Callie.
Heidee received her Associates in Liberal Arts at Alpena Community College in 2021. At Madonna University, she is a first-year student studying Sign Language. She loves writing involving fantasy and sci-fi. When she is not working at the Writing Center or grueling over her own papers, she enjoys drawing and playing music.
