Meet The Writing Center Team
Administration
Dr. Mary Lutze
Director
Phone: 479-788-7227
Email: Mary.Lutze@uafs.edu
Bio: Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Dr. Lutze held the position of writing center associate director at Loyola University Chicago, where she earned her Ph.D. in English in May 2020. She attained her B.A. in English at Evangel University and her M.A. in English at Missouri State University. In her downtime she enjoys taking walks with her French Water Dog (Nori) and husband (Alex), experimenting with recipes, streaming horror movies and anime, and tending her various (and hilariously named) house plants. Odds are you will find her listening to either music or audiobooks while brainstorming how best to assist UAFS students in achieving academic success.
Specialties: Dr. Lutze's academic interests include early modern literature, disability studies, deaf theatre, and writing center theory and practice.
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Jeffrey Warndof, M.A.
Assistant Director
Phone: 479-788-7526
Email: Jeffrey.Warndof@uafs.edu
Bio: Jeffrey's prior experience includes teaching freshman composition as a graduate assistant, teaching English in South Korea, and working as an academic advisor at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in creative writing and a Master of Arts in teaching English as a second language. In his spare time, he enjoys writing screenplays, cooking, gardening, and watching LeBron dominate.
Specialties: Tutoring ESL writers and creative writing (screen plays, poetry, and short story)
Pronouns: He / Him / His
Stacey DuVaul, M.A.
English Instructor & Writing Center
Administrative Staff
Phone: 479-788-7661
Email: Stacey.DuVaul@uafs.edu
Bio: Stacey DuVaul has taught English courses for 30 years, including more than 25 years at UAFS. She received her Associate of Arts at (then) Westark Community College, her Bachelor of Arts in English education and her Master of Science in college teaching of English from Northeastern State University. In addition to teaching college, high school, and vacation bible school, she has worn a variety of hats over the years, including wife, mother, writer, volunteer firefighter, photographer, and floral designer. She enjoys spending time with her family and watching over her flock of shepherds (five German shepherds and one wannabe). She exercises her mind and body by reading, writing, working out, and walking. She doesn't run unless the convenience store is closing and she’s out of chocolate.
Specialties: She specializes in people skills, enjoying the process of getting to know students and working one-on-one with them to establish a relationship and create a better paper. She has worked extensively to help students across the curriculum revise essays, research projects, compose letters of application for grad school, med school, internships, and scholarships, and prepare presentations. Perhaps most importantly she loves to write and loves to teach, so she is at home in this work.
Nori - The Writing Center Dog
Instagram: n0ri_the_barbet
Bio: Nori is a 2-year old French water dog (a Barbet) and a therapy dog in training. She is the Writing Center's mascot and loves to help students with stress relief by offering tail wags, cuddles, kisses, and general cuteness. Though she is Dr. Lutze's dog, when she's on campus, she's EVERYONE'S dog and is always available for puppy therapy.
Specialties: Catching the ball midair, 100 percent return rate in fetch, squirrel perception, being adorable, learning and performing tricks (just ask Dr. Lutze to have her demonstrate.)
Personal Interests: tennis balls, licking ears, UAFS Lions, treats, walks, getting pets, fetch, and naps.
Student Tutors
Jorgi Anderson, Sophomore
English with Teacher Licensure Major
Favorite Books: The Road by Cormac McCarthy and Room by Emma Donaghue
Personal Interests: Reading, volunteering at the Fort Smith Little Theatre, watching movies and tv shows, and hanging out with my friends!
Specialties: Thesis Development, MLA Format, Editing and Revising, Grammar and Spelling, Literary Analysis
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Kameron Burns, Sophomore
Rhetoric and Writing Major
Favorite Book: The Diary of a Teenage Girl by Phoebe Gloeckner
Personal Interests: Thrifting, Talking, Gardening, Reading, Writing, and Driving
Specialties: Brainstorming Ideas, Editing, Expanding Arguments, Thesis Development, and Clarity in Writing
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Mitchell Collins, Sophomore
Political Science Major
Favorite Book: 1984 by George Orwell. Honorable mentions go to Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir and the Dark Elf Trilogy by R. A. Salvatore.
Personal Interests: Reading fiction (mostly sci-fi), going to the gym, doing calisthenics, hiking (generally being in the woods), and studying / relaxing in libraries.
Specialties: Academic Writing, Research Writing, Creative Writing, Speech and Presentation Analysis, Prewriting Strategies, Brainstorming Ideas, Research Methods, Source Integration, MLA Format, APA Format, Editing, and Proofreading.
Pronouns: He / Him / His
Holly Farrar, Senior
Lead Tutor
English Major
Favorite Quote: “All great achievements require time.” – Maya Angelou
Personal Interests: My favorite things to do include working toward giving my 4 dogs their best lives! I also enjoy traveling, reading, refinishing furniture, reading medical journals / studies…yes, for fun.
Specialties: Essay Organization / Structure, Brainstorming Paper Topics, Research Methods and Source Integration, MLA Format, Critical Thinking, and Deductive Reasoning.
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Phillip Henley, Freshman
English Major
Favorite Book: The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Personal Interests: I am a massive fan of all things Tolkien. I may know the History of Middle Earth better than real-world history. I am also interested in Publishing and being active in social causes.
Specialties: Freelance Writing, Research, Creative Writing, MLA Format, Plotting, Outlining, Research Methods, Editing, and Proofreading.
Pronouns: Any
Ivan Hernandez, Freshman
Business Administration Major (Appointments in Spanish Available)
Favorite Book: The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
Personal Interests: Art, Cooking, Hiking, Video Games, Practicing Soccer, and Watching Soccer Games
Specialties: Academic Writing, Brainstorming Ideas, Organization & Structure, Expanding ARguments, and MLA Format
Pronouns: He / Him / His
Sophia McLain, Senior
Lead Tutor
Rhetoric and Writing Major, TESL Minor, TEFL Certified
Favorite Book: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Personal Interests: Video games, visiting art exhibitions / galleries, making care packages / letters for friends, animated TV (Bee and PuppyCat, Over the Garden Wall, Mob Psycho 100), anything horror / thriller / cryptids, and traveling.
Specialties: Creative Writing, Academic Writing, Brainstorming Ideas, Editing for Clarity, Organization / Structure, and Research Writing.
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Avery Powell, Sophomore
Rhetoric and Writing Major, Creative Writing Minor
Favorite Quote: "Always question, always wonder" - The Giver
Personal Interests: I like to read, write, hang out with friends, and binge watch Criminal Minds or Teen Wolf.
Specialties: Creative writing (fiction or script), Research Writing, Cultural Literacy, Thesis Development, Transitions & Flow, Grammar, Proofreading, and MLA Format
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Perla Romero, Junior
Geoscience Major, (Appointments in Spanish Available)
Favorite Book: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Ki
Personal Interests: Traveling, Listening to Music, Hanging out with Friends, Hiking, and Sewing
Specialties: Brainstorming, MLA Format, APA Format, Grammar, Proofreading, and Organization
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Isabella Serrano, Junior
General Studies Major, Primary Emphasis: English
Favorite Quote: "Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up - figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it." - Michael Jordan
Personal Interests: Playing tennis, working out, spending time with my family and friends, drinking coffee, and reading.
Specialties: Research Writing, Literary Analysis, Rhetorical Analysis, Prewriting Strategies, Outlining, Organization/Structure, Brainstorming Ideas, Thesis Development, Expanding Arguments, Editing, Proofreading, and MLA Format
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Gabbie Stokes, Junior
English Major, Diversity Studies Minor
Favorite Book: Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon and Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Personal Interests: Sewing, Journaling, Jewelry Making, Reading & Listening to Audiobooks, Gardening, and Playing Board Games
Specialties: Thesis Development, Research Writing, Literary Analysis, Speech and Presentation Preparation, Writing Organization & Structure, Clarity and Flow, MLA Format.
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Grace Williams, Junior
Studio Art Major
Favorite Book: Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle
Personal Interests: Art, Music, Reading, Learning Languages, Cooking, and Watching K-Dramas.
Specialties: Brainstorming Ideas, Organization and Structure, Clarity, Proofreading, and MLA Format
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Troi Winters, Senior
Lead Tutor
History Major and Creative Writing Minor
Favorite Books: The Stormlight Archive series by Brandon Sanderson (a very close second is The Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee).
Personal Interests: Writing and reading sci-fi and fantasy, playing Dungeons & Dragons, enjoying astrophysics in a "fascination" capacity and not so much an "understanding" capacity, and spending time with my doggo, Annie!
Specialties: Outlining and Idea Development, Creative Writing (specifically fiction / prose), Thesis Development, Research Methods, MLA Format, and Chicago / Turabian Format.
Pronouns: He / Him / His