Staff | Messiah, a private Christian University in PA

Spring 2024 Writing Center Staff

By providing peer tutoring and increasing student access to resources, the Messiah University Writing Center aims to achieve our mission of helping undergraduate students become better writers. The Writing Center seeks to foster confidence, competency, and a passion for writing in each student we serve. We strive to create a space for students to feel accepted and supported wherever they are on their writing journeys—no matter their discipline, standing, or ability. Above all, we at the Writing Center hope to encourage students to write and work with their best effort to uphold Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

Ryan Rickrode

Director

Ryan Rickrode

Director

rrickrode@messiah.edu

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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.

Micaiah Saldaña

Head Tutor

Micaiah Saldaña

Head Tutor

rs1545@messiah.edu

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Micaiah is a senior English major with a professional writing concentration and public relations minor. While she loves Chai lattes, typewriters, and anything written by the Inklings, two of her greatest loves are Jesus and stories. She believes that everyone's story matters and that stories have the power to change the world. Micaiah is passionate about helping others tell their world-changing stories well through her work as a writer, editor, and tutor.

Emma Bane

Assistant Head Tutor

Emma Bane

Assistant Head Tutor

eb1486@messiah.edu

Emma is a junior English major with a creative writing concentration and minor in HDFS. When she's not writing or reading (as all good English majors do), you'll find her thrifting, grabbing a dirty chai at the Union, or running the English department’s social media. She loves connecting with people, listening to Faye Webster, and talking all things film or music. Feel free to stop in and say hi, especially if you bring a coffee.

Nason Allen

Data Manager

Nason Allen

Data Manager

na1205@messiah.edu

Nason is a Computer Science major who is always asking questions. When he's not gaming, he enjoys talking to his brothers and getting to know new people. Other loves of his include the winter, anything mechanical, and spacing out.

Courtney Kehler

Tutor

Courtney Kehler

Tutor

ck1362@messiah.edu

Courtney is a senior English major with a literature concentration and a minor in psychology. She is deeply passionate about words, a fan of all things literary, and an avid supporter of the Oxford comma. She aims to use her knowledge and love of the English language and grammar to help others to tell their stories well. When she isn't reading or writing, you can find her out for a run, knitting or crocheting, or spending hours outside.

Lydia Leaman

Tutor

Lydia Leaman

Tutor

ll1278@messiah.edu

Lydia is a senior English major with a secondary teaching certification and a minor in Politics. She loves reading, writing, and neutral colors. While not attending classes, she can usually be found in the library with a chai latte and an absurd number of highlighters.

Ana Sakore

Tutor

Ana Sakore

Tutor

as1850@messiah.edu

Ana is an English major with a secondary teaching certification. She is also attempting a second major in music. When she is not buried in an overly ambitious art project or a practice room in the High Center, she loves to meet new faces around campus. Her favorite free time activities include baking to old musicals and being in the library with a London fog and some friends.

J.T. Crocenzi

Tutor

J.T. Crocenzi

Tutor

jc1683@messiah.edu

J.T. is a junior 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.

Olivia Reardon

Tutor

Olivia Reardon

Tutor

or1264@messiah.edu

Olivia Reardon is a sophomore 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.

Emma Bomberger

Tutor

Emma Bomberger

Tutor

eb1476@messiah.edu

My name is Emma and I am a business administration student with a minor in accounting. I grew up in a smaller town where I spent most of my time outdoors trying new activities. I love coffee, traveling, trying new foods, and meeting new people. If the weather is nice, you can find me hiking with my dog, playing volleyball, or driving with the windows down and music up. I also enjoy reading by the beach or in a hammock by the breeches. On campus, I am likely on a walk, playing spike ball with my friends, or studying in the library.

Natalie Hamlen

Tutor

Natalie Hamlen

Tutor

nh1266@messiah.edu

Natalie is a senior with a double major in American Politics and Human Development and Family Science. A native of North Carolina, she loves soaking up the sun with an iced coffee in hand. She spends most of her time running alongside her cross country and track and field teammates at Messiah.

Micah Turner

Tutor

Micah Turner

Tutor

mt1314@messiah.edu

Micah is a Senior English Major with a concentration in Literature and a Minor in Education. As an Education Minor, he is always ready to help others learn and grow in any way he can, and so has helped some of his friends with their essays in the past. He is excited for the opportunity to take this experience and share it with anyone who needs help from the Writing Center!

Teagan Murrie

Tutor

Teagan Murrie

Tutor

tm1405@messiah.edu

Teagan is majoring in Psychology and Criminal Justice and plays field hockey at Messiah. In her free time, Teagan loves to be outdoors, with friends, or with a good book.

Akon Undieh

Tutor

Akon Undieh

Tutor

au2156@messiah.edu

Akon is a sophomore Biology major. She grew up in Nigeria and loves to read African literature. She loves all things Formula 1. She spends most of her time studying or engaging in mind-stretching conversation with friends.