Writing Studio

Meet the Undergraduate Staff

Hello! My name is Noorah Alfaddagh and I transferred to CUI last year. I am a fourth year majoring in Communications. I’m from Saudi Arabia, and reading English books from a young age helped me learn to write until writing became a hobby of mine. To me, writing is not only words and sentences on a piece of paper, but also an outlet of expression. When I’m not on campus, you can find me at the movies or walking my dog at the beach. I’m very excited to be part of the Writing Studio this year and to be able to guide and help my fellow students through the writing process!

Hey, y’all! My name is Kaylee de la Motte. I’m a junior studying Behavioral Sciences with minors in Biology, Philosophy, and Global Cultural Studies. I traveled with the ATW VI team to fourteen different countries, honing my writing skills through Travel Writing, Postmodern Literature, and Epic Literature. While the writing conditions were not always ideal, I produced some of my best work on turbulent planes and bumpy bus rides. When I’m not cramming for an exam, I enjoy researching controversial topics like genetic engineering ethics and the modern scientific paradigm. I have experience with MLA, CMS, and APA formats, and I would love to help you tackle your scientific paper or cultivate your dreaded Core term paper. In my free time, you can find me on Space Mountain or playing Spikeball on the lacrosse fields!

Hello, my name is Ryan Dunn and I am from Orange County. I am currently a Junior here at Concordia and a History & Political Thought Major. With a passion for language and the field of linguistics as a whole, I am readily available to help you with whatever writing needs you may have. Writing serves as an important conduit for sharing knowledge, but it is not an impossible art to practice. I have experience with APA, MLA, and CMS. I am familiar with mostly academic (as opposed to creative) 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 needs you may have. I am looking forward to meeting you in the Studio and helping you conquer your next assignment!

Hello! My name is Kaitlyn Gleeson. I am currently a senior at Concordia and am very excited to work at the Writing Studio! My degree is a BA in Humanities with a double emphasis in Creative Writing and Spanish, as well as a minor is Marketing. In terms of writing, my specialization is in non-fiction, fiction, and poetry. I have experience in MLA and CMS, as well as in extensive academic research papers. I have written for classes with many professors, including: Danger, Jones, Soper, Ring, Croll, Karges, and more. As far as business and marketing go, I have worked on and developed business plans and marketing plans, and understand the fundamental necessities for those assignments. My hope with my appointments is to help students develop and fine-tune their papers while also teaching them tactics that can make the writing process easier or more efficient in the future.

Hi! My name is Jacob Lange and I am a senior History and Political Thought major with minors in Classical Languages, English, and Law and Politics. I also play trumpet in the Concordia Wind Orchestra, Sinfonietta, and Jazz Band. Because of my major, I have had a lot of experience writing research papers and trying to make sense of my own arguments, so I would love to help you do the same. In addition, CMS and MLA are the citation styles that I am most comfortable with. I look forward to seeing you!

Howdy! My name is Alec Leissring and I am from the great state of Wisconsin! I am a senior English major with minors in Lutheran Teaching and Global Cultural Studies. In addition, I have also participated in the sixth Around-the-World semester and was a finalist in the Great Commission Showcase. I have experience writing in MLA, APA, and CMS formats as well as with forming resumes. I love writing because it allows you to organize and process your thoughts and experiences in order to add deeper insights to express yourself. When my major doesn’t have me reading a dozen different books while simultaneously writing twice as many essays on them, you can find me at the beach either napping or spending quality time with friends. I believe that writing is one of the most important skills to have for all aspects of life, which is why I look forward to working with you to develop your writing abilities.

Hello! My name is Owen Milligan, and I am from Riverside, California (although I spend my summers in Missouri on the Lake of the Ozarks). I am a junior majoring in Business Administration. I have a double emphasis in Finance and Data Analytics and a minor in Communication. Although I may seem like a numbers guy, I have a passion for writing, which includes resumes, business plans, and research papers. My friend Spencer and I have taken second place in the annual Concordia Business Plan Competition in both our Freshman and Sophomore year. I have experience with MLA and APA format. I have written for professors such as Wade, Kinnen, Wolf, Ollry, Danger, and Solis. I am very excited to work with you throughout every step of your writing process, bringing clarity and creativity to your works!

Hi! My name is Makenna Myers and I’m from San Diego, California. I have a passion for words— reading, writing, and editing them. You can find me at my happiest with a pen in my hand and a blank page before me. Appropriately, I am a senior majoring in Humanities with an Emphasis in Creative Writing and a minor in English. Outside of my love creative writing, I have experience writing CMS and MLA formats and have written for professors such as Danger, Armstrong, and Elliott (among many others). I cannot wait to see you in the studio; keep conquering that blank page!

Hey! My name is Zoie Moore and I’m a senior Liberal Studies major from Southern California. I plan to graduate with my teaching credential and go on to become an elementary school teacher. I’m also the Resident Assistant for the Honors LLC and a part of the Concordia Speech Team, so you may have seen me around! You’ve probably also seen me at Eagle’s drinking coffee and eating all of the tater tots. Writing has always been a passion of mine, and while I feel my strongest area is academic writing such as research papers, I am also experienced in creative writing, poetry, and constructing speeches (I can help with your public speaking class!) I’ve worked with MLA, CMS, and APA styles and would love to encourage you in your writing process, so come on in and say hello!

Hey! My name is Kirstie Skogerboe, and I’m married to the guy whose bio comes next. Zacatecas, Mexico is my home – I owe it both my Spanish and my love for hot sauce on popcorn. I’m a senior studying Liberal Arts with a literature emphasis, along with some scattered science classes to eventually pursue a nursing career. I also participated in the sixth Around-the-World Semester and was a finalist in the President’s Academic Showcase. If you think you hate writing, come talk to me. If English is your second language and you can’t figure out what to say, come talk to me. If you’re a word nerd and you want to hone your nerdiness, come talk to me! Everyone uses words. I’d love to give you tools to use them well.

Hi there. I'm Seth Skogerboe, and Kirstie (above) is my wife (not my sister). I'm a junior 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, 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.

Meet the Professional Staff

Hello, my name is Elisa Andersen, and I've been working at the Writing Studio since 2016. I have a BA in English and a minor in Creative Writing from Concordia University Irvine and an MA in Publishing from City, University of London. While studying at Concordia, I was lucky enough to be the Editor of The Aerie, Concordia's Literary Magazine, and a Core Peer Tutor for CENG 202. Currently, I work as an Editorial & Marketing Assistant at Plural Publishing. I look forward to another year of helping graduate and online students as an OWL consultant! My best advice for all writers is that your topic is everything. The best essays are the ones that you've enjoyed writing.

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.

Hi there! I’m Zach Dean, and I graduated from CUI in 2013 with a BA in English and a minor in Global Cultural Studies. After spending over two years in human resources, I made the decision to pursue graduate studies as a full-time student at Cal State University Long Beach, where I am working towards my Masters in English Literature. Ultimately, my hope is to teach literature and writing to undergraduate and graduate students like yourself. My favorite activities include reading, traveling, baking, and spending far too much time browsing cat videos on Youtube. I am thrilled to be a part of the OWL (a secret dream of mine since my years as an undergraduate at CUI) and am looking forward to reading your essays, stories, emails, and whatever else you pass along to us!

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.

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 and worked as co-editor of The Aerie. After graduation, I returned to Concordia and had the great privilege of working here as an undergraduate admissions counselor for over four years until the tug of grad school got the better of me. Currently, I am in Manhattan, Kansas (the famous “Little Apple”) pursuing my MA in English: Children’s Literature at Kansas State University while teaching freshman expository writing courses. It is SUCH a joy to be a student again! I love learning and am eager to learn from each of you through your OWL submissions. I look forward to continuing the conversation with you.

Hello! My name is MacKenzie Feeken and I graduated cum laude from CUI in 2019 with a Bachelor's degree in English and a minor in Psychology. During my time as an undergrad, I worked for two years as a Writing Studio Consultant. I have experience with helping student writers across a wide range of academic disciplines including Business, Athletic Training, Psychology, and more. When I wasn't at the Writing Studio or writing essays for class, I was usually at cheer practice or hiking French Hill. Currently, I am pursuing an Educational Specialist degree (Ed.S.) in School Psychology at California State University, San Bernardino. The Ed.S. program has given me much practice in writing concisely and persuasively while maintaining legally defensible language for special education. I look forward to reading your OWL submissions and walking alongside you throughout your writing journey!

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!

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!

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.

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, reported for an NPR affiliate, taught high school English, and worked as a copy editor. Now, I'm a stay-at-home mom and freelance writer/editor. I live in Texas with my husband, our daughter, and our cat.

Hello! I’m Stacey Parker. I graduated with a BA in English and minors in creative writing and marketing from CUI in 2010. I am currently serving as the Student Services Assistant for the Lloyd Hall Scholars Program, a creative living-learning community for students interested in writing and the arts, at the University of Michigan. I am a freelance copy editor for Concordia Publishing House and the editorial assistant for Lutheran Mission Matters, a journal published twice a year by the Lutheran Society for Missiology. I love spending time with my husband and my pugs, Duke and Chewy, 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.

Greetings! My Name is Joe Sampson and it is my privilege to serve as a consultant for the CUI Writing Studio. I hold a BA in Spanish from the University of LaVerne, and an MA in Religion Education with an emphasis in cross-cultural education from Concordia University Irvine. I went through the doctoral program in Business Administration and Organizational Leadership at Arizona Northcentral University and recognize the complexities of the dissertation process. I have been blessed to have found career success as a teacher, DCE, and most recently as a law enforcement executive management consultant for the State of California Department of Justice. My hobbies include, playing drums, coaching girls’ volleyball, and of course, reading and writing. Let’s get writing!

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!

Hey I'm Jenna Spradley! I'd like to share a thought with you:

"All stories have a beginning, a middle, and an ending, and if they're any good, the ending is a beginning."
~James Clavell

This quote reminds me of the beauty in process—in writing, my Christian faith, and social work. Each of these things are close to my heart. I have a B.A. in Psychology and a Master of Social Work (MSW). I’m honored to be invited into each story—spoken and written, and I’m delighted to work with you on the Online Writing Lab! I promise to provide non-judgmental, humble yet critical, analysis and advice for whatever style paper you have.

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.