Meet the Staff | Writing Studio | Student Life

Meet the Writing Studio Staff

Christopher Aceves Jr.

Hello everyone, my name is Christopher Aceves Jr. I am currently a Senior this year at Concordia with a Theatrical Design major emphasizing in Costume design. In terms of writing, I consider myself well-versed when it comes to listing notes and working through varying amounts of drafts for papers or presentations. Of course, I am aware that essay writing does not just mean the paper itself but the process behind it. The writing process itself may not be a student’s ideal assignment, but I am here to help find ways to make the writing process easier and more enjoyable for you. I cannot wait to see what’s in store for this coming school year as well as meeting you all! Until then, I can’t wait to see you in the writing studio.

Cassandra Cate

Hello there! My name is Cassandra Cate, and I’m from Southern California. I have a lifelong love of reading, writing, and language, which has led me to be an English major with a minor in Spanish. I’m also getting my secondary teaching credential and hope to share this subject with the next generation. When I’m not reading, you can find me hiking with my family or doing crafts of some kind. Whether you enjoy writing or not, I would love to read your ideas, help you grow as a writer, and present your best work. I specialize in analytical and research essays, as well as speech writing (and delivery). Though writing a good essay may not always be easy, it is most certainly satisfying to know that you’ve communicated your thoughts clearly and effectively!

Nico Co

Hey all! My name is Nico Co, a SoCal native and guitarist by trade. You may have seen me playing at chapel services and concerts on campus. I graduated from CUI Summa Cum Laude in the Fall of 2020, and was honored to receive the Senior Award for Commercial Music. But if I didn’t pursue music, I probably would’ve ended up a writer! I love it when, as language and rhetoric are refined, the idea itself ends up strengthened and illuminated in fresh, unexpected ways. My main goal is always to listen well and ask the right questions, informed by my love for teaching (music and Bible, mostly) and 8 years of experience. When I’m not in the writing studio, I can be found buried in a book, on a bike, enjoying old-school video games/animation, or working on one of several music projects.

Kaylee de la Motte

Hey y’all, my name is Kaylee de la Motte. I’m a senior studying Behavioral Science with emphases in Anthropology and Sociology and minors in Biology and Global Cultural Studies. I’m a Disney fanatic, a Spikeball enthusiast, and a lifelong learner. After traveling with the ATW VI crew, I’ve learned that some of my best work is produced on turbulent airplanes and bumpy bus rides. I live by the phrase, “Enjoy the process,” and I firmly believe that writing should be a journey to embark on rather than a destination to arrive at. If you would like a travel buddy for your papers, let’s chat and we’ll explore what you’re passionate about together!

Ryan Dunn

Hello, my name is Ryan Dunn and I am currently a senior here at Concordia with a History & Political Thought major and a Classical Languages minor. With a passion for language and composition, I am readily available to help you with whatever writing needs you may have. I have experience with APA, MLA, and CMS. I am familiar with mostly academic work: writing research papers, analytical papers, and simple essays. I have written papers for many classes, ranging from History & Political Thought to English, so I am more than willing to assist you with whatever assignment you may have. I am looking forward to meeting you in the Writing Studio and helping you conquer your next assignment!

Ella Hachee

Hi, there! My name is Ella Hachee, and I am a sophomore Behavioral Sciences major (Sociology emphasis) with an English minor. I am from Temecula, CA, and I love reading, writing, and cuddling with my pug. I enjoy talking about big books and even bigger ideas. Writing has been a wonderful way to express myself and build confidence in my ideas, and I want to help you do the same! I firmly believe that everyone can produce great writing and has something interesting to say, even if you don't realize you do quite yet. I am most familiar with MLA, but have experience with CMS as well. I'd love to help with anything from putting your swirling ideas down on paper to refining edits for creative or academic writing.

Alec Leissring

Howdy! My name is Alec Leissring and I am from the great state of Wisconsin! Currently, I am finishing up my secondary teaching credential in English. Over my time at CUI, I received a degree in English while obtaining minors in both Lutheran Teaching and Global Cultural Studies. In addition, I have also participated in the sixth Around-the-World semester and was a Great Commission Showcase finalist in 2019. Outside of studying, I love being in nature to take a breath, appreciate the beauty in God’s creation, and work on my writing and photography. Yet, what brings me the most joy is hanging out with friends at coffee shops or the beach. In the past three years as a Writing Studio Consultant, I have had experience working with MLA, APA, and CMS formats as well as with creating resumes. I appreciate how writing allows writers to organize and process their thoughts and experiences to add deeper insights as they share their knowledge and express themselves. I look forward to working with you to develop your writing abilities as writing is one of the most important skills to have for all aspects of life.

Sean Nowlan

Greetings. My name is Sean Nowlan and I am a Senior majoring in History and Political Thought with a minor in Law and Politics. I have academic knowledge and experience writing on the breadth of social studies including Literature, Language, Art, Philosophy, History, Theology, and especially political science. I served as Concordia's Parliamentary Debate Captain in 2021, and can structure an argumentative essay as well as a fish swims in water, STEM or social. Where some writers prefer poetry or book writing, I have a love for finding that correct research citation and eloquently expressing a thesis in an irrefutable manner. When I'm not in the writing studio or debating, you can find me reading history on the Borland Manske Balcony, Game Mastering another Dungeons and Dragons Campaign, tending to a carnivorous plant, or spearheading an event at the Eagles Esports Club!

Seth Skogerboe

Hello, friend. My name is Seth Skogerboe, and I am a senior English major and Global Cultural Studies minor with experience in creative writing, travel writing, formal and research essays, public speaking, and Nepali haircuts. Ever since I learned to read them, I’ve been passionate about words, and I hope to one day be an English professor. Good writing, like good literature, tells a story— whether “creative” or no. Come talk to me if you want help saying what you mean in a way that people will listen to.

Livia Swan

Hi, I’m Livia Swan! I’m from about everywhere, but I spent most of my childhood in Singapore. I’m studying to be a Spanish teacher because I love language -- that’s also why I’m at the Writing Studio. There are a multitude of ways to use words to articulate one idea, even just within English. I’m excited to read your ideas and help you represent your mind on the page so that your reader understands exactly the same thought that you mean to write down. When I’m not writing or reading (which, to be honest, isn’t very often), I’m baking or knitting or otherwise behaving like a grandma, and spending time with my best friends. I can’t wait to meet you! I’d love to learn how you use words and help you use them well.

Rachel Tillmann

Hey there! My name is Rachel Tillmann, and I am a senior majoring in Behavioral Science with an emphasis in Psychology and minoring in Philosophy and Sociology. From my childhood in Wisconsin to my collegiate adventures in California and Cambridge, my passion for the written word has been challenged and cultivated into something that conveys my voice as an academic and person. Whether it's through APA, CMS, or MLA formatting, I would be honored to help you hone and share your unique voice and perspectives in your academic assignments and beyond. When I'm not reading or researching for school or fun, you can typically find me practicing pieces with CUI's Forensics Family, making too many puns as a Core Philosophy Tutor, having crazy conversations with friends, or just generally drinking too much caffeine. What you have to say and contribute to the Great (and the more niche) Conversations in academics and in life is worth hearing, and I look forward to working with you to help your voice be heard!

Meet the Online Writing Lab Staff

Kendall Davis

Hi! I’m Kendall Davis and I graduated from CUI in 2016 with a BA in Biblical Languages and Theatre. While an undergraduate at CUI I worked for the Writing Studio and the OWL. I’m currently finishing up my MDiv at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis where I have continued to provide writing tutoring and editing services to both Masters and Doctoral students at the Seminary. I also helped to start Concordia Seminary’s student journal, Grapho. I spent 2019-20 studying at the University of Cambridge where I earned a Diploma in Theology and Ministry with merit. I love helping people utilize writing as a medium to communicate their ideas effectively and persuasively. It’s been a joy to work for the OWL the past several years. I look forward to reading your work.

Kristina Deusch

Hello all! My name is Kristina Deusch, and I graduated from CUI 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. Since then, I've studied book and magazine publishing for a summer at NYU, and I've worked as an Editorial Assistant at Cambridge University Press in New York City. I now live in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and I work as a Production Editor at Oxford University Press, helping to publish academic journals for the benefit of writers and researchers like you. My hobbies include humming along to classical music, eating lots of chocolate, and collecting far more books than my shelves can hold. I love reading OWL papers, and I look forward to working together with you from here on the East Coast.

Katherine Dubke

Hi all! My name is Katherine Dubke. I graduated from CUI in 2014 with a BA in Humanities with an emphasis in Creative Writing. During my years as an undergrad, I served as a Writing Studio Consultant for my peers and worked as co-editor of The Aerie. After graduation, I returned to CUI and had the great joy of working here as an undergraduate admissions counselor until the tug of grad school got the better of me. Fueled by copious amounts of jasmine green tea, I pursued my MA in English at Kansas State University while working as a GTA. I love learning and am eager to learn from each of you through your OWL submissions!

Owen Duncan

Hi there! My name is Owen Duncan, and I graduated from CUI in 2020 with a double major in Music and English and a minor in Pre-Seminary studies. I had the opportunity to work for the Writing Studio for three of the four years of my undergraduate studies, and I'm excited to continue helping people improve as writers here in the OWL! I'm currently studying at the Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in pursuit of my MDiv so that I can become a pastor; in the meantime, I enjoy reading, writing, and playing trombone. I look forward to reading your OWL submissions and working with you to help you improve as a writer!

Johanna Saleska Lange

Hi, I'm Johanna Saleska Lange -- writer, instructor, tutor, editor, and all-around lover of language! I hold a BA in English from CUI and an MA in rhetoric and composition from the University of Missouri, Columbia (Go Tigers!). As Lead Writing Consultant, I help train our Writing Studio and OWL staff members, develop and run academic writing workshops, and create/collect writing resources for students and faculty. I have taught courses across disciplines, including Freshmen Seminar, Writing and Research, Art of the Essay, Business Writing and Presentation, and Intro to Genre and Craft in Creative Writing. I am also a freelance dissertation editor. When I'm not teaching, editing, or "OWL-ing" (totally a word), you'll likely find me exploring local wilderness trails, making messes in my kitchen, reading copious amounts of fiction, writing weird short stories and poems, busting out yoga poses, or consuming way too much coffee. Contrary to popular belief, reading OWL submissions is actually quite fun and often wonderfully enlightening! I look forward to working with you!

Margaret Langdon

Hi there! My name is Margaret Langdon, though everyone calls me Maggie. I graduated summa cum laude from CUI in 2014, with a major in International Studies and a minor in Creative Writing. While there, I was, among other things, a section editor for the Concordia Courier, a co-editor for the 2014 edition of the Aerie, and the periodic president of the poetry club. I continue to believe everyone is a poet, even if they don’t know it! After graduation, I branched out into the world of technical editing, working for an engineering firm. Since then, I’ve returned to CUI to pursue a master’s degree in Theology, and remain involved on campus with the Master’s Chorale. I’m excited to encourage you in your work, and I’m looking forward to helping you express your great ideas!

Zoë Litzenberg

Hey, there! My name is Zoë Litzenberg, and I earned my Bachelor’s in Humanities: Creative Writing in 2017 from CUI, where I also had the honor of graduating Summa Cum Laude and Humanities Student of the Year (2017-18). While at Concordia, I loved serving as a Writing Studio Consultant as well as participating in the special writing and thinking community on campus (in fact, I still miss that community every day). Since graduating, I have worked at Disneyland, moved to Kansas and taught math, reading, and writing to students from kindergarten through high school, and now I am pursuing my dream of becoming a college professor of composition! To that end, I am working towards a Master’s in English, Rhetoric and Composition from the University of Louisville, where I serve as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. Needless to say, I have a lot of interests — the common factor between them being passion for excellent service and communication. I love working between disciplines and helping people become stronger communicators through the writing process. In my free time, you’ll more than likely find me weightlifting at the gym, watching Netflix, talking about writing, swing dancing, or possibly attempting to do all four of those things at the same time. It’s my pleasure to serve you as an OWL Consultant!

David Moore

Hi, my name is David Moore! Learning and helping others learn are my passions. When we discover goodness, truth, and beauty in the world and in others, we learn more of what it means to be. It is all very exciting! One of the ways by which we discover the meaning of being is through writing. When we write about something—whether it be about an important topic or even mundane activities—we take it in and make it a part of ourselves. The better our writing is about a subject, the better we understand it. Therefore, it is my goal to help you produce the best writing that you are able to create—not only for the benefit of your readers, but also for your deeper understanding. It is my pleasure to assist you on this journey! I hold a BA in Philosophy from the University of Missouri and a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M University. I am currently earning my MA in German Studies from the University of Missouri.

Kellie Moore

Hi! I’m Kellie Moore. I graduated from CUI 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 CUI, 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/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!

Makenna Myers

Hi! My name is Makenna Myers and I’m from sunny San Diego, CA. I graduated summa cum laude from CUI in 2021 as a double major in English and Humanities with an Emphasis in Creative Writing. During my undergrad years, I had the privilege of working five semesters in the Writing Studio, co-editing two editions of the Aerie, and playing cello in the Sinfonietta. Currently, I am pursuing my MFA in Writing for Children at Hamline University, and I work as a Library Specialist at a charter school. I cannot wait to read your writing. Keep conquering that blank page!

Harrison Parker

Hey friends! I’m Harrison Parker, CUI class of 2010 and cheerful Writing Studio Consultant from 2007-10. I double-majored in Biblical Languages and Theological Studies before heading to the land of toasted ravioli, St. Louis, MO, for Concordia Seminary (M.Div 2014). I served as pastor of two congregations – one in Anchorage, AK, and another in Whitmore Lake, MI – and am excitedly exploring further training to grow my counseling, community engagement, and advocacy skills. I love spending time with the fabulous Stacey Parker and our hilarious pugs, Duke and Chewy. I enjoy anything related to pop culture, burritos, politics, punk rock, and, yes, long walks on the beach. I’m excited to be part of the OWL staff and to be connected with Eagles like you! I can’t wait to learn from your work and work with you to grow your love for writing!

Stacey Parker

Hello! I’m Stacey Parker. I graduated with a BA in English and minors in creative writing and marketing from CUI in 2010. I coordinate orientation logistics within the Office of New Student Programs at the University of Michigan. Currently, I am pursuing a master's degree in student affairs at Concordia University Ann Arbor. I love spending time with my husband and my pug, Duke, watching movies, reading, traveling, and sending real mail to my family and friends. I’m passionate about editing and working with people, and I consider it a privilege to get to work with you.

Gretchen Kirby

Hello there! I'm Gretchen (Sheetz) Kirby and I graduated from CUI in 2014 with a BA in Music Performance and a minor in Creative Writing. I lived in Boston for two years following while I completed my Master's degree in harp performance and have since returned to sunny SoCal. In my mind, music and writing are both expressive means to communicate beautiful truths about our world. As an undergrad, I had the opportunity to co-edit Concordia's arts and literary magazine, The Aerie, and assist fellow students in the Writing Studio as a consultant. I now teach Music History and Music Cultures at CUI and find myself immensely blessed to work at my alma mater. I also gig as a freelance harpist in the greater Southern California area. In my spare time, I enjoy reading (preferably with a cup of tea in hand), hunting out new local coffee spots with my husband, and hiking along our stunning coastline. I look forward to reading your OWL submissions and working with you as a team to craft excellent written material!

Kirstie Skogerboe

Hey! My name is Kirstie Skogerboe. I graduated summa cum laude from CUI in 2021 with a Liberal Arts major and Global Cultural Studies minor. During my undergrad, I worked as both a Writing Studio consultant and academic mentor for international students, and I loved to help students improve their written voices. My favorite pastimes almost always involve my husband: reading good stories, cooking with red chili flakes, and watching Star Trek all feature prominently. (I also love popcorn with Valentina hot sauce. Don't knock it before you try it.) I look forward to reading your work and giving you more confidence in your writing skills!

Denise Sprimont

Hello! My name is Denise Sprimont. I graduated from CUI in 2020 with a BA in History and Political Thought with a minor in Law and Politics. During my years as an undergrad, I served as a Writing Studio Consultant and History Tutor, and worked as Senior Editor of The Franciscan. Currently, I am in Chicago pursuing my MA in Modern Middle Eastern History at the University of Chicago. I hope to not only be a kind helping hand but to be a guiding force on the road to good theses and strong sentence structure. I hope to transform the way you see literature and writing and be a stepping stone that you can use to reach success in written communication. Can’t wait to work with you!

Lauren Taylor

Hi! My name is Lauren Taylor. I graduated from CUI in the winter of 2016, where I studied English and creative writing. I have a master’s degree in English Studies: Contemporary Writing. I am from a little town up in the Great Gray North (a.k.a. Washington State). When I was a student at CUI, I had the opportunity to co-edit The Aerie and help revise student papers as a T.A. for Dr. Cosgrove. Now, as a graduate, I have been working as a substitute teacher for middle and high school students while pursuing my teaching license. I love to read, over-analyze movies, craft, make horrendous puns, and discover long and unusual words. I’d love to help you out with forming a strong thesis, using appropriate syntax and evidence, and, hopefully, aid you in discovering your voice and style as a writer.