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Staff

The Writing Center's tutors standing outside of Murray Library.

Spring 2025 Writing Center Staff

Looking for your tutor? Navigate down this page to get to know them before your appointment. 

Ryan Rickrode
Ryan Rickrode

Director

Ryan Rickrode

Director

rrickrode@messiah.edu image Visit Webpage

Ryan has been teaching writing classes for over ten years, and he’s been writing for even longer. His work has appeared in many journals, including The Cresset, Dappled Things, The South Carolina Review, and The Common. He believes in writing as a process of discovery, that writing is a way of thinking things through and arriving at understanding. He’s also passionate about helping students develop as leaders, an interest that goes back to the days when he worked as a campus minister equipping students to lead worship services and Bible studies for their peers. You can read his work at ryan-rickrode.com. 

Headshot of head tutor Emma.
Emma Bane

Head Tutor

Emma Bane

Head Tutor

eb1486@messiah.edu

Emma is a senior English major with a creative writing concentration and minor in HDFS. A tutor since sophomore year, Emma is passionate about her work at the Writing Center and loves getting to know each of her clients. When she's not writing or reading (as all good English majors do), you'll find her thrifting, grabbing coffee at Down to Earth, or adding new photos to her scrapbook. She loves connecting with people, listening to Faye Webster, and talking all things film or music. Feel free to stop in just to say hi, especially if you bring a coffee!

Headshot of tutor Evelyn
Evelyn Kelly

Assistant Head Tutor

Evelyn Kelly

Assistant Head Tutor

ek1337@messiah.edu

Evelyn is a junior English major with a creative writing concentration and a minor in studio art. While she is studying abroad this semester, she remains a vital member of our Writing Center team. She looks forward to assuming her role as Head Tutor when she returns in Fall 2026!

Headshot of tutor Akon
Akon Undieh

Tutor

Akon Undieh

Tutor

au2156@messiah.edu

Akon is a Formula 1-loving senior Biology major. You can find her supporting Lewis Hamilton, researching, or listening to Afrobeats and K-POP.

Headshot of tutor J.T.
J.T. Crocenzi

Tutor

J.T. Crocenzi

Tutor

jc1683@messiah.edu

J.T. is a senior English major with a concentration in literature. When he is not reading and writing for class, he enjoys playing tennis and going on hikes. On nice days, you'll probably find him sitting by the Yellow Breeches.

Headshot of tutor Lauren
Lauren Mock

Tutor

Lauren Mock

Tutor

lm1435@messiah.edu

Lauren is a senior English major with a concentration in Creative Writing and a Sociology and Anthropology minor. She loves reading good books, the color green, dogs, and spending time in nature. Lauren is also a member of the swim team. She loves being able to collaborate with peers at the Writing Center to encourage them in their writing skills and seek continual growth. 

Headshot of tutor Olivia
Olivia Reardon

Tutor

Olivia Reardon

Tutor

or1264@messiah.edu

Olivia is a junior English major with a double minor in Education and Dance. While Olivia loves learning, quality time, and ice cream, she is particularly passionate about serving Christ in all that she does and says. Olivia sees much beauty in the written word, and she cares deeply about helping others see it too. She believes that everyone can write if only they are given the right tools.

Headshot of tutor Adahlee
Adahlee Schroeder

Tutor

Adahlee Schroeder

Tutor

as1946@messiah.edu

Adahlee is an English and Theatre double major. When she is not running around from show to show, she is reading or writing in Climenhaga. Finding peace from the chaos in nature, her favorite place to walk is the trail by the Yellow Breeches. She loves being around people and reading high fantasy, so don't hesitate to ask her about her favorite author, Brandon Sanderson. 

Headshot of tutor Aliza
Aliza Alton

Tutor

Aliza Alton

Tutor

aa1384@messiah.edu

Aliza is a junior Politics and International Relations major with an American concentration and a minor in pre-law. She is passionate about adolescent development and is pursuing a career in Family Law. When she's not in class, she loves grabbing an iced coffee at the Union, listening to podcasts, playing with her puppy, Pippa, or having deep conversations with friends! She seeks to understand each person's perspective better and create unity through shared interests, whether that be when she and her friends can't decide what movie to watch or when studying the larger political sphere at large.  She is eager to help others find their voice and use writing as a beautiful tool for sharing their perspective and communicating with the world around them! 

Headshot of tutor Esther
Esther Hess

Tutor

Esther Hess

Tutor

eh1406@messiah.edu

Esther is a sophomore Environmental Science Major with a minor in Spanish. She loves long walks through the forest, but be warned, if you ever join her, you will probably have to stop and look at all the flowers. When she is not gallivanting through nature, you can find her baking, playing volleyball, practicing organ, or reading a great book by the Yellow Breeches. 

Headshot of tutor Eva
Eva Hancock

Tutor

Eva Hancock

Tutor

eh1425@messiah.edu

Eva is a sophomore education major. After playing field hockey for 11 years, she decided to continue her career on the field hockey team at Messiah. In her free time, she loves to hang out with her friends, go on runs, and read good books. 

Headshot of tutor Mackenzie
Mackenzie Wise

Tutor

Mackenzie Wise

Tutor

mw1528@messiah.edu

Mackenzie is a sophomore English major with a Secondary Teaching Certification. When not studying or hanging out with friends, you can probably find her drinking a caramel macchiato from the Union, discovering new music, or exercising in an on-campus spin class. Mackenzie is particularly passionate about the reflection of the complex human experience in literature, and is excited to share her love of English with her students one day. 

Headshot of tutor Natalia
Natalia Carlone

Tutor

Natalia Carlone

Tutor

nc1266@messiah.edu

Natalia is a junior Psychology major with a clinical concentration. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, spending time with friends, and reading science fiction. Natalia is also passionate about listening to music and writing poetry.

Headshot of tutor Ethan
Ethan Reisler

Tutor

Ethan Reisler

Tutor

er1337@messiah.edu

Ethan is a junior English major with a creative writing concentration and double minors in communications and broadcasting & journalism. Enjoying all avenues of storytelling, he spends his free time reading anything and everything, writing fiction, and playing video games with his friends; but he'll always make the time to talk with others over some coffee.

Headshot of tutor Reagan
Reagan Steele

Tutor

Reagan Steele

Tutor

rs1596@messiah.edu

Reagan is a freshman Nutrition and Dietetics major. She is happiest when she is in the kitchen, reading a good book, listening to old jazz vinyls, and spending time with family and friends. When she needs to decompress, she finds that writing is the perfect outlet for her emotions and creativity.

Headshot of tutor Becca
Becca Smith

Tutor

Becca Smith

Tutor

bs1519@messiah.edu

Becca is a freshman History major with a minor in Studio Art. When she's not reading or painting, she enjoys meeting new people and getting connected on campus! Some of her favorite ways are participating in the Spikeball club, sharing a meal with old and new friends, and getting overly competitive about trivia. Becca also loves classical education, playing volleyball, and Sovereign Grace Music. She hopes you will come visit her at the Writing Center!

Interested in joining our team? Click here to learn more about working at the Writing Center!

Headshots and photography courtesy of Zach Hinds