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I’m fascinated by how we communicate ideas, narratives, and discourse. While I started my undergraduate in Computer Engineering and Computer Sciences, I eventually switched to English in 2020 to better study written and spoken communications. After graduating, I decided to pursue a master’s in Rhetoric, Theory and Culture to research writing center and composition pedagogy, as these are vital spots where students learn to articulate their work and themselves. My undergraduate work in the Writing Center and seeing students complain about first-year composition inspired me to research methods to make the class more relatable to STEM students and those with visual/tactile learning methods.

“Four Lessons to Build Upon” introduces tactile learning methods amongst the abstract concepts of first-year university composition courses. Students in the course I taught used LEGO bricks paired up with the four core assignments to reinforce the communicated abstract concepts. The study aimed to improve students’ understanding of rhetorical concepts used throughout their lives, such as critical thinking, analysis, and visualization. I hope this research is used as a starting ground for college instructors and professors to adopt similar methods for connecting students to rhetorical concepts.

I continue studying rhetoric in my second master’s degree in Industrial Heritage and Archaeology, and my research focus has shifted to authorized heritage narratives within West Lake Superior tourism. My current research involves how people communicate their stories and the agencies at work to utilize these stories across West Lake Superior. My full-time position as the Thompson Scholar Program Coordinator also requires me to engage with rhetoric in assisting students with program requirements, establishing community through public service, and creating programs/recruitment materials.

I’m thankful to the Humanities Graduate Department for nominating me and the Graduate Deans Award Advisory Panel for selecting me to represent Michigan Technological University. I felt the Humanities Department’s support through both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. I especially want to thank my advisor Dr. Holly Hassel for her insight into composition pedagogy studies and thorough experience in pedagogical research; she assisted me greatly from the initial research design to the final defense. My committee of Dr. Jennifer Nish, Dr. Mark Rouleau, and M. Bartley Seigel also helped through the defense process and provided their industry insight for my work. I finally thank all the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Michigan Tech who I’ve worked with for their guidance and support.