This quarter, MAWRD welcomes seven new students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. Take a moment to get to know each student in their own words!
Tabitha Jou Yi is a new student in MAWRD. After completing a Bachelor’s in English Secondary Education from the University of Illinois (Urbana) and an MA in Theological Studies from Trinity (Deerfield), she hopes the WRD program will support her in developing and empowering citizen-workers at her public high school. As she sponsors the Asian American student affinity group at her school, she seeks to delve into how multicultural rhetoric plays into the education of historically marginalized students. You can find Tabitha’s musings on the Church and Asian American identity on Medium and in Reclaim Magazine.
Eryk Markiewicz is a first-year student in the MAWRD program. He is currently working at the DePaul Writing Center and also does some work at a bakery near his house. He has lived in Chicago basically his whole life, and he does a lot of writing and music spamming on his Instagram story.
Maya Muschitz is a first-year MAWRD student as well as the Communications Writer/Scholarship & Events Administrator for the DePaul College of Education. She received her BA in Journalism with an emphasis on Strategic Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is from the Madison area. Her hobbies include reading, writing comedy in all forms, and spending way too much time and money antique shopping. While in this program, Maya hopes to gain some professional writing experience to excel at her current & future jobs – and explore the possibilities of teaching Writing and English in a post-secondary setting.
Reina Ashley Nomura currently works in DePaul University’s Liberal Studies Program Office and most recently worked at DePaul’s Center for Teaching and Learning. They completed a B.A. in American Studies in 2021 with a minor in LGBTQ+ Studies. In addition to pursuing the MA in WRD program, she’s working towards a Graduate Certificate in Education, Culture, and Society. Reina’s academic interests include Higher Education Pedagogy and Education Studies, Instructional Technology and Design, and Critical Theory. Reina’s non-academic interests include Tumblr, reading, singing, barre classes, disability awareness, queer media, and doing nothing. Find Reina’s work here.
Elizabeth Skelin received her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Dayton, and she joined the MAWRD program to expand her knowledge and skills for her true passion – writing! She has experience in retail data analytics, but currently works for WTW as an Employee Experience Consultant, where she advises clients on their communications and talent strategy. She looks forward to being part of this program and gaining more writing experience for her personal and professional goals. Outside of work and school, Elizabeth enjoys hiking, crocheting, and cooking/baking – she’s now in the process of perfecting her challah recipe!
Leo Swearingen is a first-year graduate assistant in the MAWRD program. During his time in the program, Leo plans on exploring the many resources available to him, such as the Teaching Apprenticeship Practicum and the many Professional & Digital Writing courses. He is excited to develop his writing, thinking, teaching, and professional skills through his time in MAWRD. One of his research interests includes conceptualizing bodies as ecological formations where meaning is constructed and articulated in oppression and resistance. In his spare time, Leo loves to draw, paint, write poetry, and play chess.
Shane Zimmer is a graduate assistant and first-year MAWRD student with a concentration in Teaching Writing & Language. He holds an MA in Writing and Publishing from DePaul, and works as a freelance content writer. He is working toward entering a doctorate program and teaching professionally. Complementing his interest in rhetoric and writing, he likes to consume and make art, aims to be a better chess player, and considers himself a casual bird nerd.
The WRD Department is excited to welcome each of these students, and we look forward to supporting their success! To learn more about individual students throughout the years and to stay up to date with new achievements, be sure to check out our “Student Spotlights” in Student and Alumni News.