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Graduate Writing Workshop

Master in Environmental Management (MEM)

Graduate Writing Workshop

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Writing Workshop Tutors

Writing Workshop tutors offer assistance at any point in the writing process: brainstorming, outlining, polishing a final draft, or preparing a piece to submit for publication. Students can reach the tutors by email or find them during their office hours. Each tutoring session aims to improve key aspects of a piece, not always to polish it to perfection. Tutors can also help graduate students meet the writing goals set by their faculty mentors.

Studies show that integrating consistent feedback through revision is one of the best ways to improve writing in the long term.

Appointments

To make an appointment, in person or via Zoom, email the group at tutors@western.edu or contact any individual you especially want to work with: Andrew Wayrynen, Jack Betz, and/or Kelly Makela.

Meet the Graduate Writing Workshop Tutors

Andrew Wayrynen

Andrew Wayrynen

Andrew Wayrynen is a first year MEM student in the Global Sustainability track. With a dual undergraduate degree, Andrew writes with the pens of both an English major and a geologist. He is constantly working to enhance his writing ability and those of others by embracing creative writing styles and techniques. He has most enjoyed his exploration of Tlingit oral narratives as they find their form on paper and, in turn, relate to tree-ring reconstructions of past landscapes. Andrew has worked as an editor and copyeditor for a global education foundation and has created many newsletters, blog posts, and social media campaigns at the non-profit level.

Jack Betz

Jack Betz

Jack Betz is a second-year M.S. in ecology student with a focus on vegetation and disturbance. His current research involves the physiological responses of sagebrush seedlings to drought and extreme heat events. He received his B.A. in Literature and B.S. in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Barbara. During his undergraduate studies, he worked as an editor for a literary journal and a poetry journal, as a science writer for the university newspaper, and as a technician for a plant genetics laboratory. Since graduating he has led ecological field crews collecting terrestrial soil and vegetation data on public lands across California, Nevada, and Colorado.

His breadth of ability covers both technical and creative writing as well as the space in between. He is eager to assist at any stage of the writing process with any variety of projects ranging from the brief and concise (letters of introduction, statements of purpose, resumes, CVs, significant emails), to the more involved and elaborate (research papers, literary essays, creative nonfiction). He looks forward to strengthening the writing of his peers—and his own in the process—and invites anyone who’s interested to reach out.

Headshot of Kelly Makela

Kelly Makela

Kelly Makela is a first-year student pursuing a Master’s degree in Environmental Management, specializing in Global Sustainability. Her background in environmental studies and international development theory has given her a unique perspective on environmental issues. She loves to edit papers that are cross-disciplinary because she always learns something new!

Currently, Kelly is in the process of job hunting and has been researching the latest styles and techniques for resume and cover letter writing. She is enthusiastic about helping others with their job search and can offer valuable insights.

In her current role at a conservation nonprofit, she is responsible for creating and disseminating several newsletters with a diverse audience. In the past, she has assisted in editing and writing technical documents such as grant proposals and data summaries. Kelly is excited to support students with their writing and editing needs!

Headshot of Natalie Pax Natalie Pax

Natalie Pax is a graduate student pursuing a Masters in Environmental Management degree with a focus on Sustainable and Resilient Communities. She received her undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University, majoring in Environmental Policy and minoring in Philosophy and Geography. Natalie is passionate about the intersection of the natural and social sciences, and the power of effective writing to both convey information and also captivate and engage an audience.

Natalie has both experience in technical writing (grant writing and reporting, resume and cover letters, journalistic, etc.) and creative writing (philosophical logic, creative non-fiction, and poetry), and is happy to assist students at any stage of the writing process, from ideation and brainstorming, to outlining, to editing and polishing.

Currently, her passions are leading her to explore research related to ecological economics, participatory methodologies, and academic writing. She is also passionate about teaching and is currently a Graduate Teaching Assistant for ENVS 410: Environmental Ethics. She looks forward to connecting with fellow students and offering assistance in the writing process!

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