Writing Center Staff
Our specialties:
Types of writing:
Literary analysis, personal essays, argumentative essays, research papers, legal writing, rhetorical analysis, poetry, essays written in Spanish, creative Writing, scientific writing, comparison essays
Aspects of writing:
Grammar, sentence structure, flow, organization, thesis statements, bibliographies, MLA Style, outlines, thesis statements, APA style, in-text citations, bibliographies, and diverse word choice
Disciplines:
Music performance, English, philosophy, political science, law, theology, secondary education, art, art studio, elementary education, book arts, nursing, nutrition-dietetics, natural science, environmental studies, biology, climate studies
If you'd like to work with a tutor with one of these specialties, we recommend performing a "command f" search on this page to find out which tutor or tutors has that specialty. Specialties are listed in each tutor bio below. Also, just because something isn't listed in our specialties doesn't mean we can't help you with it. If you have a question that we don't know the answer to, we will help you find the answer.
Peer Tutors
Samantha Clayman (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Maple Grove, MN
Grade: Junior
Majors: Music Performance and English
Writing Specialties: Literary analyses, personal essays, argumentative essays, grammar, sentence structure, flow, and organization.
Why do you like writing?: I like writing because I’ve always been a shy person and writing helps me express my thoughts. Additionally, I just love the feeling of playing around with grammar, flow, and sentence structure. It's so satisfying to use the skills I gain from my own writing to improve others' writing, and I aspire to be a copy editor in the future!
Fun fact: I have an album released on all streaming platforms, and I’m currently working on a second one!
Coleman Kimbrough (he/him/his)
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Grade: Graduate Student at the SOT (I majored in Philosophy and Political Science for my undergraduate degree and studied law afterwards)
Writing Specialties: Research papers (especially in the humanities), thesis statements, bibliographies, and legal writing
Fun fact: I love playing disc golf, even though I tend to throw into trees or water more often than the basket.
Peter Hommes (he/him/his)
Hometown: St. Paul, MN
Grade: Senior
Major: English, Minor: Secondary Education
Writing Specialties: Personal essays, literary analysis, rhetorical analysis, poetry, essays written in Spanish
Why do you like writing?: Writing is a great way to share knowledge with a wider audience than conversation allows. It also helps me to clarify what I know, because I can organize right in front of me how things are related to each other. My mind is more inclined to run in unhelpful circles.
Fun fact: Journaling is one of my favorite types of writing. I almost always stumble upon hope while journaling.
Katherine Jasinki (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Faribault MN
Grade: Senior
Majors: Art and English
Writing Specialties: MLA Style, Literary and Rhetorical Analysis, Organization, Creative Writing
Experience as a tutor: Third-year writing tutor
Fun fact: I'm a complete movie/music buff, so if you have any good recommendations send them my way!
Grace Michel (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Grade: Senior
Major: Elementary Education
Writing Specialties: organization/outlines, thesis statements, and creative writing
Why do you like writing?: I love writing because the way we use words has such a big impact on others and can be used as a tool of empowerment. I also love learning from different and diverse writing styles/genres!
Fun fact: I love to bake, and I'm always experimenting with new recipes!
Megan VanOverbeke (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Albany, MN
Writing Specialties: Research, personal essays, and creative writing
Why do you like writing?: I like writing because words fit so nicely together and make beautiful language. I love the organization of the English language.
Fun fact: I became an aunt for the first time this summer!
Macy Ellis (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Hutchinson, MN
Grade: Junior
Major: English with a concentration in Creative Writing, Minors: Book Arts and Art Studio
Writing Specialties: Literary analysis, research, MLA, and all kinds of creative writing.
Why do you like writing?: Writing helps me to share my ideas and express myself in a way that I might not in conversation.
Fun fact: I'm involved in both our Initiative for Native Nation Relations and Indigenous Student Association on campus!
Emilie Houge (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Sartell, MN
Grade: Junior
Major: Nursing
Writing Specialties: Research papers and scientific writing
Why do you like writing?: I enjoy writing because it allows me to express my feelings and thoughts differently. It can also offer differrent perspectives and force you to think outside of what you are comfortable with, which I love.
Fun fact: I play softball here at St. Bens and I have also been playing the guitar for 7 years!
Bridget Tetmeyer (she/her/hers)
Hometown: St. Paul
Grade: Senior
Major: Nutrition - Dietetics
Writing Specialties: Literary analysis, comparison essays, persuasion/argumentative essays
Why do you like writing?: Writing is a form of expression, communication, argumentation, and escape. Words carry so much power and I always feel like I am learning and improving whenever I challenge myself with writing.
Fun fact: I ride RAGBRAI every July- a ~350 mile week long bike ride across Iowa.
Hometown: New Prague, MN
Grade: Sophomore
Major: Natural Science, Minor: Secondary Education
Writing Specialties: MLA, APA, literary analysis
Why do you like writing?: When you share ideas verbally, it can be difficult to organize your thoughts and plan ahead what you want to cover. Do you ever look back on an argument and think man, I wish I said..., or do you ever think of a joke that would've been perfect if only you had come up with it two days ago? That's why I love writing. You have the perfect opportunity and control to piece together a story, analysis, argument, etc. any way you want.
Fun fact: I tried track freshman year (of college) after not doing it since 8th grade. I wasn't amazing, but it was really fun!
Hometown: Waupaca, WI
Grade: Sophomore
Major: Environmental Studies, Minors: Biology and Climate Studies
Writing Specialties: Analysis and research with natural, social, or environmental sciences
Why do you like writing?: I have found writing to be a form of expression, creative or academic, and a way for me to communicate my observations and experiences that I have had.
Fun fact: I spent three weeks backpacking around Scotland this last May.
Hometown: Owatonna, MN
Grade: Sophomore
Major: Global Business Leadership, Minors: Anthropology
Writing Specialties: Organization/outlines, research papers, and personal essays
Why do you like writing?: I enjoy writing because it allows me to organize my thoughts and express those thoughts in a way other than conversation.
Fun fact: I love to bake, and it is my dream to own a bakery one day!
Hometown: Hinckley, MN
Grade: Sophomore
Major: Environmental Studies
Writing Specialties: Research papers, in-text citations, bibliographies, and diverse word choice
Why do you like writing?: I like writing because I believe it is a skill that everyone can learn with practice, and being a good writer benefits almost every occupation.
Fun fact: I love the outdoors and I hunt and fish in my free time.
Faculty
Kyhl Lyndgaard (he/him/his)
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