I am a graduate of Stony Brook University, where I received my MA in English Literature, and I am now in a doctoral program at the University of Oregon. Part of my stipend funding is contingent on tutoring in the English department's writing center. I would like to get some extra experience in helping students improve their reading and writing skills so that I may be fully prepared for my tutoring obligations this fall, as well as my teaching obligations next year.

My perspective on learning is that it ought to be an enjoyable activity, as much as is possible. Everyone likes to learn something that they believe will be useful and rewarding for them, be it fishing, calculus, photography, or anything else. I believe my job is to reveal these qualities to the student in subjects they may need improvement in so as to aid that improvement.

My research interests are in american literature (19th and 20th century), literary theory, continental philosophy, and theology. I have many favorite books, but one of them is Moby-Dick. Aside from reading and writing I also love to travel, practice German (ich kann ein bisschen deutsch sprechen), go hiking, listen to music, and cook.