Meet the On-site Writing Studio Staff
Matthias Bruggeman
A good day and happy times to you! I am Zachary Matthias Bruggeman, but you can call me Matthias. When I’m not reveling in the joys of composition, you can find me at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, slinging shots of espresso like it’s the wild wild west. My particular writing style is rich in metaphor and complex sentences (I love a good parenthetical phrase). Grammar is no tyrant, but a tool and a toy. Happy writing!
Maddy Chatwin
Hi, my name is Maddy Chatwin! I am a double major in English and Liberal Arts with a Creative Writing emphasis, and a minor in Theatre Design and Technical Production. I love watching stories come to life on the stage, screen, and page. When I’m not updating one of my (many) works-in-progress, you can find me in the Writing Studio, ready to help you with whatever stage of the writing process you are in!
Mark Lutke
Hi everyone! My name is Mark Lutke, I’m a senior majoring in Economics and a thrower for the CUI track & field team. I dabble in stand-up as well, so don’t worry about our session getting overly serious. I’m also an avid creative writer, and I’d love to help you turn your paper into a masterpiece.
Elizabeth Koch
Hello, everyone! My name is Elizabeth Koch, and I am an English major with Classical Education and Lutheran Teaching minors. The three things I can talk about the most are stories, animals, and kids. I have what some might consider to be too many hobbies, and I like to bounce between drawing, painting, reading, walking, singing, writing, and whatever other activity catches my fancy. As both a writer and a reader, I would’ve wanted to read your writing anyway, so I’m excited to work with you on it in a more professional setting.
Mark Knight
Greetings and salutations, writers! My name is Mark Knight, and I’m a senior majoring in finance with a minor in marketing. When I’m not in the Writing Studio, you may see me tutoring for accounting & finance, hiking around SoCal, browsing my favorite books, playing my violin, or in traffic on the 405 (I’m a commuter). My passion is for storytelling and the writing process. I’m happy to help you make the best paper you can!
Nicole Kramer
Hi everyone! I’m Nicole Kramer, and I’m a huge fan of words. Double majoring in Theatre and English makes me a story nerd both as a writer and performer, and there’s very little I like better than a good book. Other passions of mine include going for walks, working out, crocheting, and singing, but creative storytelling will always be at the heart of what I do. I look forward to working with you all and hopefully inspiring you to find joy in words as much as I do!
Makena Messing
Hi friends! I’m Makena Messing, a senior kinesiology major/psych minor, student researcher, and lover of good questions. My interests range from Parkinson’s disease research and human performance in space to gymnastics, good coffee, and long walks with friends. I believe the writing process is just as important (and rewarding!) as the final product, and I’m excited to help you find your voice and make your ideas shine.
Liana Nguyen
Hello! My name is Liana and I’m a senior majoring in Business Data Analytics and Graphic Design. In my free time, I enjoy reading science fiction, drawing frogs, and writing stories. I especially love serving writers at the Writing Studio as they come up with ideas, organize thoughts, and share their passions. I look forward to working with you!
Kayla Reed
Hello! My name is Kayla Reed and I am a junior English major at Concordia with minors in Writing and Dance. In my free time I love reading, doing ballet, playing the piano, and hanging out with friends! I’ve always been fascinated by storytelling and how it comes to life through writing. At the writing studio, I’m excited to help you create papers you’re proud of!
Sophie Thomas
Hi everyone! My name is Sophie Thomas, and I’m majoring in Communication and minoring in Psychology. I’m originally from Washington State and miss it every day, but I love having two beautiful places to call home. While I enjoy academic writing, the stress that comes with a big paper deadline has sent me into a spiral on more than one occasion. I’m happy to be another set of eyes and a source of support for you at any stage of the writing process!
Zoë Litzenberg
Hey, there! I’m Professor Zoë Litzenberg, and I am the Director of the Writing Studio. I started working with writing way back in 2015 as an undergrad when I worked at the Writing Studio while earning my degree in Liberal Arts at Concordia, and writing work has remained close to my heart ever since. My research interests include high-impact writing pedagogy, horror in film & literature, and generative AI. I love working between disciplines and helping people become stronger communicators and researchers through the writing process. In my free time, I like finding reasons to laugh with my husband, Jonah, and hanging out with my two tuxedo cats, Giacomo and Erasmus. It’s my pleasure to serve you!
Meet the Online Writing Lab (OWL) Staff
Kristina Deusch
Hello all! My name is Kristina Deusch, and I graduated from Concordia University Irvine in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Marketing. As an undergrad, I worked with other students as a Core Peer Tutor and a Writing Studio Consultant during much of my time at Concordia. After college, I went into academic publishing: I’ve worked as an Editorial Assistant at Cambridge University Press in New York City, a Journals Production Editor at Oxford University Press in North Carolina, and a Senior Production Editor working on books for the Fortress Press imprint of 1517 Media in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I also have a master’s degree in theology and the arts from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. I now live in Colorado Springs, where I work as an editor for a Christian ministry. My hobbies include humming along to classical music and collecting many boxes of books. I have been reading OWL papers for many years now, and I look forward to working together with you!
Sasha Flowers
Hi, everybody! My name is Sasha Flowers, and I am a Clinical Psychology doctoral student at George Mason University. As an OWL Consultant, I deeply value helping writers find their voice by building up strengths and providing encouraging guidance. When I’m not writing, you can find me in the ballet studio or hiking with friends. I look forward to working with you!
Emily Marleaux
Hello there, I’m Emily Marleaux! I am passionate about teaching writing and love guiding others to be confident writers. I have a BA in Communications from The Master’s University (emphasis in Creative Writing and Publishing) and an MFA in Creative Writing from Houston Christian University. I love writing short stories and lean towards realistic fiction. On an ordinary day, I’ll be reading a Steinbeck novel and drinking a cup of coffee or out surfing in Southern California with my husband. I can’t wait to partner with you on this journey!
Livia Meinz
Hi, I’m Livia Meinz! I graduated from Concordia University Irvine in December 2022 with a degree in Liberal Arts: Spanish and a minor in Lutheran Teaching. I worked in the Writing Studio for two years, and I love that I get to continue working with Concordia students through the OWL. I live in Pennsylvania with my husband and our new baby, and when I’m not OWL-ing or spending time with my family, I am knitting, cooking, or reading. I enjoy knitting, cooking, and languages because they are all ways to combine logical patterns with creativity. I hope to help you apply good patterns and creativity in your writing to communicate your ideas clearly and convincingly. I can’t wait to read your work!
Kellie Moore
Hi! I’m Kellie Moore. I graduated from Concordia University Irvine in 2010 with a B.A. in English and a minor in Creative Writing. I worked in the Writing Studio for two years as an undergrad, and I’m delighted to be part of the Online Writing Lab team. At Concordia University Irvine, I fell in love with journalism through my work as an editor of The Concordia Courier. I went on to earn a master’s degree from the Missouri School of Journalism. Since then, I’ve managed a religion news website, taught high school English, and worked as a copy editor. I also had the joy of being an editor at Verily magazine, where I was a contributing writer. Now, I’m a stay-at-home mom and freelance writer and editor. I live in Utah with my husband, our two kids, and two cats. I’m excited to help you not only hone your writing skills, but also grow in confidence as a writer!
Harrison Parker
Hi, fellow Eagles! I’m Harrison Parker, and I love supporting students as writers, thinkers, and fellow humans! I’ve worked with the Writing Studio for about a decade, and my two favorite parts have been seeing students like you grow in confidence in their writing and, selfishly, learning new things from reading your papers. I have a BA from CUI in Biblical Languages and Theological Studies, an MDiv from Concordia Seminary St. Louis, and Master’s degrees in Social Work and Public Policy from the University of Michigan. I’ve done a lot of writing in social sciences and theology, and I’m great with APA formatting. In my free time, I love adventures with my wife, Stacey, and our wonderful pugs, Furiosa and Valentino (who closely supervise my OWL work). I hope to work with you soon—let me know how I can help!
Kirsten Swanson
Hi! I’m Kirsten Swanson, and I have a B.A. in History and English from Gordon College in Massachusetts. I then went on to earn my M.A. in Medieval Studies at the University of York. I’ve taught English and writing classes to students from middle school to undergraduates, and I love helping new writers find their voice and grow their confidence in writing. In my spare time, you can find me traveling, hanging out with family, and experimenting with new recipes. I’m looking forward to working with you at the OWL!
Julie Stiegemeyer
Hi! My name is Julie Stiegemeyer, and I am the Director of the OWL and an assistant professor in the School of Education. In the past, my work has included writing children’s books and teaching composition, literature, and English as a Second Language. Now, it is my honor to help provide writing support for graduate students at Concordia and to see students gain confidence as they apply strategies to their writing and witness their own growth. In my free time, I love writing poetry, traveling, gardening, painting, and spending time with my dog, Banjo, and two cats, Bear and Peanut. I hope to meet with you soon!
Interested in joining our team of writing consultants?
Full-time undergraduate students with strong writing and communication skills are encouraged to apply. Applications open on Handshake early every Spring semester.
The OWL opens applications through Concordia’s professional employment management system. View current job postings from CUI here.
Get in Touch
Questions? We are happy to help.
University Writing Support
Writing Studio is located on the top floor of the Schroeder Library and Learning Center (CUI campus).
Zoe Litzenberg | Director, Writing Studio
[email protected]
Julie Stiegemeyer | Director, Online Writing Lab (OWL)
[email protected]