About the EWC
Thanks for your interest in learning more about the EWC! Below you can find contact information and also learn a bit more about your advising team at UMUC.
Our Mission
The EWC Offers Students
- Written and audio feedback on writing assignments (organization, introductions, transitions, conclusions, etc.)
- Answers to writing-related questions
- Self-study activities on research and writing
- A plagiarism tutorial module
- Resources on topics from argument development to English As a Second Language
- An Online Guide to Writing and Research with related links and self-assessments
Learn more about what the EWC can do you for you in Student FAQs or for your classroom in Faculty FAQs.
Contact Us
EWC Contact Information
You are welcome to explore this Web site for writing advice and information, or to contact us using one of the methods below.
- EWC mailing address
University of Maryland University College
Attn: Effective Writing Center
3501 University Boulevard East
Adelphi, Maryland 20783 - E-mail writing-related questions to writingcenter@umuc.edu
- Submit Your Paper for Review Online
Meet the Advisors
The EWC's experienced writing advisors are advanced undergraduates, graduate students, professionals, and UMUC faculty. They are trained in an intensive program that includes mock and live student writing requests. They are available 24 hours a day for one-on-one, online writing advice.
Staff
Dan Gallagher, Director
Dan Gallagher joined the Effective Writing Center in Fall of 2010 after working as an administrator in the Temple University Writing Center for many years previous. His major interests lie in discovering how students learn to write, how instructors teach writing, and how writing centers play a role in both. He views the writing center, and its diverse array of services, as a resource for everyone at the University, and he hopes that you will, too.
When he's not doing writing center work, Dan writes fiction (long, short, and in-between), which he has also previously taught. He currently lives in the District of Columbia.
Anna Dumonchelle, Lead Advisor
Anna Hill has been a guest lecturer and writing advisor with the EWC since 2006. She truly enjoys her job with the EWC because it combines her love of writing with her passion for teaching. She finds it extremely rewarding to help students become more confident writers! Anna is also working on her PhD in anthropology at Syracuse University. Her research focuses on archaeological excavations at the Harriet Tubman Home historical site. She has taught a variety of courses at Syracuse University, including Historical Archaeology, Critical Issues in the U.S, Biological Anthropology, and Peoples and Cultures of the World. In her free time, Anna volunteers for an animal rescue organization where she has helped dozens of pets find loving homes. She also enjoys spending time with her new husband and their three dogs.
Michelle Bowman, Guest Lecture Coordinator
Prior to becoming guest lecture coordinator, Michelle worked as an online writing tutor for the EWC for three years and a guest lecturer for one year facilitating online writing workshops. Currently, she pairs guest faculty with guest lecture facilitators and maintains the roster and schedule. In addition, she creates writing tutorials with interactive media and is an advocate of interactive and audio pedagogy in asynchronous and synchronous distance learning environments. She is a graduate teaching assistant for Writing for Managers and serves as an alumna ally mentor for UMUC's Student Success Center.
Michelle graduated cum laude in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and is currently earning a Master of Distance Education at UMUC. In her spare time, Michelle enjoys Scrabble tournaments, Nanowrimo noveling, photography, Geography trivia with her school-aged daughters, and traveling.
Aimee Maxfield, Lead Advisor/Training
Aimee Maxfield is the EWC's lead advisor for training, and also worked as an online writing advisor and guest lecturer from 2005-2010. She has a BA from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, and MA degrees from the Shakespeare Institute at Stratford-upon-Avon and the University of Maryland, College Park.
In addition to her work at the EWC, Aimee has taught courses in academic writing, drama, and Shakespeare at the University of Maryland, College Park, and is currently working on a PhD in English at UMCP. Her dissertation explores depictions of community in contemporary American passion plays, and her research interests include early modern textual history and performance studies.
When she is not reading or writing, Aimee enjoys spending time with her husband and their toddler and newborn.
David Taylor, Senior Advisor
One of the EWC's senior advisers, David Taylor taught English and journalism at liberal arts colleges in Virginia and Pennsylvania before serving as an executive editor in the magazine division of Rodale Press for nine years. Today he teaches business and technical writing at UMUC as well as coordinating our guest lecture program of workshops.
Faculty Advisors
Amanda Barnett
Amanda Barnett is an advisor for the Effective Writing Center and an English professor for UMUC, teaching EDCP 103, WRTG 101, and WRTG 291. She has taught writing online and on-ground for eight years and also has experience as a technical writer/editor and copyeditor.
Ms. Barnett holds a BA in English from Eastern Illinois University and an MFA in Creative Writing, Poetry, from George Mason University. She also holds a graduate certificate in Professional Editing and Writing. In her spare time, she enjoys reading fiction and memoirs, spinning, Zumba, and studying Spanish. She looks forward to helping UMUC students achieve their academic goals as a writing advisor.
Gay Claiborne
Gay Claiborne is a faculty advisor for the EWC. She enjoys helping students improve their writing. She believes that students who write well early on in their college career are much more likely to complete their degree program and to succeed beyond college. An instructor of UMUC undergraduate language, literature, and grammar courses—working with writers of various ability levels—she often recommends that students submit their assignments to the EWC for advice on how to refine their writing.
A native Southwesterner, she attended New Mexico State University in Las Cruces to earn a BS in secondary education and an MA in linguistics and literature. After living and teaching in colleges and universities in the Caribbean and Asia for several years, she completed a PhD program, studying composition and rhetoric at University of South Florida in Tampa. The title of her dissertation is "Japanese and American Rhetoric: A Contrastive Study." Dr. Claiborne returned to the U.S. in 2001 from the Hawaii to reside in South Carolina, where she's happily settled and plans to remain.
Michael Nielson
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Advisors and Writing Fellows
Alexandra Belanich
Alexandra Belanich obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Stony Brook University. She currently lives on Long Island, NY and works as a Professional Assistant for the Teaching Learning Center at Suffolk County Community College. Her hobbies include photography, digital art, and reading and writing poetry.
Monique Bishop
Currently a communications major and a joyful senior at UMUC, Mo, slated to graduate this December 2010, intends to continue her academic pursuits until she has earned her PhD. She became involved with the EWC as an intern and made the leap to peer advisor at the end of the internship. A member of UMUC's Dean's list and winner of UMUC's prestigious President's Scholarship for two years running, when she grows up, Bishop would like to be an online college writing educator and continue to climb the EWC ladder. Running a small dance studio in southern Florida, loving two full grown, yet needy, children, and walking her faithful dog, Rusty, help keep her busy, young, and a daily customer at Starbucks.
Natalie Casale
Natalie has a B.A. in English and Journalism from SUNY Stony Brook and an M.S. in Secondary Education from Hofstra University. She has worked in the publishing industry for over ten years and is currently a freelance project manager working on educational textbooks and e-books. She has also worked at magazines such as Nickelodeon Magazine Group, Yachting, Men's Fitness, Popular Photography & Imaging and Woman's Day Specials. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband, dog (Hamlet) and kitten (Ophelia).
Nancy Colbert
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Laura Deffley
Laura Deffley has been working as an online writing advisor for the Effective Writing Center since 2008. Advising has been a very challenging experience because no two papers are alike which keeps Laura on her toes. In particular, she enjoys working with UMUC students because they come from such diverse backgrounds and circumstances with valuable life experiences that enhance their writing. She looks forward to providing students with suggestions on how to improve their writing because being able to effectively communicate will assist students in all areas of their lives.
Allison Dorsey
Allison Dorsey received her Bachelors in English and Cultural Anthropology from the University of Rochester and her CELTA from the ICC in Honolulu, Hawaii. After graduation, she joined the Peace Corps and lived in The Gambia, West Africa for two years doing a combination of teaching at the local elementary school and working at the health clinic. Once her service was completed, she got an English teaching job in southern Thailand where she taught children from the ages 4-16 over the course of a year. She has been working as a writing advisor for the EWC for over three years while still living in Thailand. Even though she has traded her paper and pencils for scuba equipment (her current job is an underwater film maker and editor), she still enjoys having the opportunity to put her writing and teaching skills to work for the EWC.
Kathleen Encinias athleen Encinias is a native of Colorado and the Southwest and received her BA in American History from the University of Maryland University College. Kathleen became a writing advisor for the Effective Writing Center in February 2010. Kathleen currently resides in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and young son. As a military spouse, Kathleen has lived in many places and understands many of the challenges that military and non-traditional students at UMUC face. She enjoys helping students improve their writing and plans to pursue a master's degree in education. Kathleen's hobbies include reading, bicycling, visiting museums, and traveling.
Zoe Fisher
Zoe Fisher received her A.A. in General Studies, Certificate in Management Foundations, BS in Business Administration, and Master of Business Administration from UMUC. Just recently, she completed her Master of Science in Health Care Administration. She is a proud member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Zoe enjoys working with non-traditional students. After serving over 15 years in the Navy while tackling on-line courses, she understands the obstacles that working adults, especially military students, face. She has been a writing advisor since February 2010. Zoe lives in San Diego, California with her husband and daughter.
Kevin Folliard
Kevin Folliard has a Bachelor's Degree in English and Rhetoric from the University of Illinois in Champaign Urbana. He has published works of short fiction and poetry and worked with online literary publications such as Tatlin's Tower and Burst. Kevin is a screen writer for Dark Maze Studios and has developed scripts for feature length films Press Start and Press Start 2 Continue, as well as web series Robogirl and Press Start Adventures. He has also written and performed sketch comedy in the Chicagoland area and seeks publication for two completed young adult fantasy novels. After having worked in commercial banking for several years, Kevin is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with students as a writing advisor and will happily exchange numbers for words. In his free time he enjoys acting, movies, video games, and visiting new places around the country.
Anna Henderson
Anna has been a Writing Advisor for the Effective Writing Center for two years, working in both the paper submission database and the guest lecture programs. She is motivated by students who seek input from others to improve their writing, and are willing to take chances in writing to learn new things. The variety of writing styles, assignments, and perspectives that she sees in the EWC feed her own passion for writing. Anna lives on Whidbey Island, just a short drive from Seattle , WA with her three beautiful children and husband. Her kitchen and office window share the same views of the water, and on especially clear days a peek at Mount Rainier . Out her back door nature walks and farmer's markets provide regular adventures for the whole family. Whether you are a new student, returning student, or something else entirely Anna is excited to work with you to become the best writer you can be!
Nick Horn
Apart from being a single dad to two wonderful children, Nicholas Horn is currently a full time student attending Mott Community College in Flint, MI. In addition to tutoring, he works two additional jobs, so he can empathize with those trying to balance school, family, and work. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a BS in Journalism eight years ago, though most of his work experience is in the training and managerial fields.
Sandy Johnston
Sandy has an M.A. in Composition and Rhetoric and a B.A. in Communication/Journalism. She previously worked for the EWC from 2004-2006, and is happy to be back. She also teaches technical writing and composition at University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Prior to teaching, she spent four years proofreading technical documents and five years working at a small local newspaper doing a little bit of everything—typesetting, proofreading, copy editing, layout, and some feature writing. When she's not grading papers or advising students, she spends her time gardening, visiting the beach, and attending her teenage children's sporting events.
Stacey Kronquest
Stacey Kronquest has a MFA in Writing from Goddard College. She has been writing professionally for fifteen years, first as a travel writer and editor for Rodale Press, then as a freelance environmental writer. She teaches creative writing at the literary non-profit Deep in Savannah, GA, and is at work on her nonfiction book No Grass in Georgia.
Joan Mitcheil
Joan received both her undergraduate degree and graduate degree from Salisbury University in Salisbury on the "Slower Shore" of Maryland. She graduated summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA and a BA degree in Communications Arts; she specialized in interpersonal communications, but has many hours in literature and creative writing. Her graduate degree is in literature. She maintained a 3.9 GPA and taught two classes per semester of English and literature to freshman while working on her Masters. Her graduate studies contained courses in rhetoric, grammar, and writing program issues. She joined the staff at the EWC in 2006. With twenty years experience as an advocate for persons with disabilities, ADA concerns, diversity and accessibility issues, she often donates her time to help others. She often feels there is another disability and that is old age. She also administers a food pantry helping distribute Maryland Food Bank products to eighty-five people, mostly older, disabled, or single mothers. Everyone, she feels, can do something to make a difference in other's lives. Working with students through their papers helps keep her current and involved. She feels nothing has the power of the written word as an advocate for change.
Mary Alice Moore
Mary Alice Moore is an adjunct faculty member of UMUC's Academic Writing Department in the School of Undergraduate Studies. She also has been a writing advisor with UMUC's Effective Writing Center for many years. In addition, Mary Alice is an ESL adjunct instructor for Baltimore City Community College. She teaches English to refugees, asylees and immigrants. She holds a B.S. in Mass Communications from Towson University and an M.S. in Professional Writing from Towson University. Mary Alice is currently working on her Ph.D. in Composition and TESOL from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is happy to be done with her coursework and is now working on her dissertation. Mary Alice's dissertation topic is Writing for Healing Purposes: Crossing Cultures and Spiritualities. She grew up in Boston, MA and currently resides in Baltimore, MD. With the exception of her short scholarly sojourn in rural Indiana, PA., Mary Alice considers herself a city girl at heart and loves walking around Washington, DC for relaxation. She also loves showing her ESL students around the nation's capitol. Her hobbies are baking, making homemade candy, working out, writing, and reading.
Claire Phillips
Claire Phillips is a writing advisor at the EWC. She graduated cum laude with a BS in Geography from James Madison University, and hopes to complete her Master's of Education at George Mason University. In the past, Claire has worked with children in elementary schools and as an English tutor. She truly enjoys helping all students flourish, no matter their age, background or ability. As a writing advisor, her goal is to help students develop their writing skills through coaching and support.
Alicia Rasley
Alicia Rasley is the author of The Power of Point of View and The Story Within Plotbook. Her novel The Year She Fell was released by Bell Bridge Books November 2010.
- RITA-award-winning author.
- Writing instructor, Ivy Tech State College.
- Nationally known writing workshop leader.
- Small press editor.
- Editing blogger: www.edittorrent.blogspot.com.
- Craft of writing author: Articles archived at www.rasley.com.
She has been an advisor at the Effective Writing Center for three years, and now serves as an EWC guest lecturer.
Chris Reed
Chris Reed is an English major at the University of Michigan-Flint. In his spare time, he writes horror and dark humor fiction, and has been published over 60 times in the small press, in both print and electronic magazines. His short story, This Moment Will Haunt You Forever, appeared in the 2010 anthology, The Horror Zine: Twice the Terror, alongside such masters of the genre as Bentley Little, Joe R. Lansdale, Simon Clark and Graham Masterton. Aside from writing, Chris enjoys drawing, browsing thrift stores, eating pizza, and waiting for hockey fights to break out, sometimes simultaneously. He has worked at UMUC's Effective Writing Center for over two years. He lives in Davison, MI, with his photographer wife (also an EWC advisor) and their two children. For more information on his fiction, visit his official Web site: www.ChrisReedFiction.com.
Leigh Ann Ruggiero
Leigh Ann Ruggiero has most recently graduated with an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Maryland at College Park. She also earned her BA in English/Writing from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, where she placed in the school's Lowell-Grabill Creative Writing Contest both her junior and senior year. Her research interests include Flannery O'Connor and the intersection of writing with the practice of yoga. She is interested in the questions of who is telling a story and when a story "begins." Outside of the Effective Writing Center, she has previously taught academic and creative writing as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maryland-College Park. She spends any time leftover working on her own writing projects, creative and academic, and staring out her window at Big Sky Country.
Noah Siela
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Theresa Stevens
Theresa Stevens is the Publisher of STAR Guides, a nonfiction publishing company with the mission to help writers write better books. After earning degrees in creative writing and law, she worked as a literary attorney agent for a boutique firm where she represented a range of fiction and nonfiction authors, and then as chief executive editor for a highly acclaimed small romance press. Her articles on writing and editing have appeared in numerous publications for writers. She has taught fiction, drama, and nonfiction writing in university and workshop settings.
Jason Szumanski
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Diana Weber
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Patricia Wuest
Patricia Wuest was named the managing editor of Sport Diver, Scuba Diving and Undersea Journal magazines in Winter Park, Fla., in August 2009. For 16 years prior to that she worked in various editorial positions on Scuba Diving magazine when it was based in Savannah, Ga. She received her B.A. in English from Trenton State College (now the College of New Jersey). She loves reading, diving, traveling, running, poetry, cooking, yoga, Tai Chi, her husband Tom and children, Jesse, Travis and Emily.
Olivia Wurster
Olivia Wurster graduated from the University of Washington, Seattle in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Mrs. Wurster worked as an ESL instructor at Seattle Community College before service in Peace Corps the Gambia. Olivia Wurster joined UMUC in August 2007 as a writing advisor and has guest lectured on campus along with UMUC online. Currently, Olivia is living a life of mystery overseas, happily telecommuting from various exciting destinations while following her husband in the foreign service.
