The Writing Center
Joan Rosen Writing Studio
212 Kresge Library
100 Library Drive
Rochester ,
MI
48309-4479
(location map)
(248) 370-3120
ouwc@oakland.edu
Monday-Thursday, 9:45 a.m. - 7:30 p.m; Sunday, 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Leadership Team
Sherry Wynn Perdue, Ph.D.
Director
(248) 370-3105
wynn@oakland.edu
Dr. Sherry Wynn Perdue holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, an M.A. in English/American Studies, and a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Humanities. She has actively participated in curriculum development and peer mentoring in addition to teaching composition within the Writing and Rhetoric Department since 1996. In 2009, Sherry affirmed her commitment to the lively art (and science) of writing at OU by taking the helm of the writing center, where she spends most of her consulting hours collaborating with faculty on their scholarly publications and with graduate students on their theses and dissertations. More recently, she piloted a dissertation supervision fellowship to help faculty better meet the genre needs of their doctoral students. In addition to her campus role, Sherry is the President of the International Writing Centers Association.
When not teaching or working one-on-one with clients, she is collecting data, developing training curriculum, mentoring one of the center’s writing consultants, or presenting at conferences. Sherry’s concurrent role as a College Board Consultant for AP English Language affirms her belief that high school students need rigorous preparation and their teachers need pedagogical support.
Sherry’s publications on evidence-based research in writing centers, the unique needs of dissertation writers and their supervisors, and information literacy have appeared in The Writing Center Journal, Education Libraries, Perspectives in Undergraduate Research and Mentoring, and the Journal of Academic Librarianship. In addition to penning her own publications, she serves as a reviewer and runs WriteSpace Consulting, an editing and custom writing business.
Ashley Cerku, M.A.
Manager
(248) 370-3474
ajcerku@oakland.edu
Ashley Cerku holds a B.A. in English and Writing/Rhetoric and an M.A. in Liberal Studies from Oakland University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Sociocultural Anthropology at Michigan State University.
Her journey in the OU Writing Center began as a writing consultant and she then transitioned into a consultant mentor role, followed by a position as the operations coordinator. She is currently the manager of the OU Writing Center and her goal is to help create a more interactive writing environment on campus. She has conducted research on consultant training, clients' usage of university writing centers, as well as interactive learning platforms and activities.
Receptionists and Consultants
Katie
Education: Pursuing BA in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice.
Katie is currently a Senior at OU. After graduation, she hopes to attend Michigan State University College of Law. In her free time, she loves to hang out with friends, go to the movies, and read.
Mary
Education: Pursuing BA in Integrative Studies
Mary is currently a Senior at OU pursuing a degree in Integrative Studies with a minor in Graphic Design, Marketing, and Business Analytics. She owns a small business with her mom called WillowView Shoppe. She is a part of the Delight Ministries on campus and in her free time she likes to hang out with friends, read a good book, and shop!
Myth
Education: Pursuing BA in Creative Writing in Fiction with a minor in Theater
Myth is currently a senior at OU. After graduation, she hopes to work in Education. In her free time, Myth enjoys anything creative from reading to painting and illustrating. She is also passionate about her dogs and playing Dungeons and Dragons.
Graduate Students and Faculty Research
Red
Education: MA in Liberal Studies; BS in Public Administration and Public Policy, Minor in Business, concentration Pre-Law; Certified Paralegal; pursuing PhD in Higher Education Leadership.
Specialties: Research proposals, articles for publication, literature reviews and synthesis, APA citation, personal statements, graduate and professional school applications, resumes, cover letters, theses, dissertations.
Red is a doctoral student whose research focuses on posttraumatic growth in college students and whose interests include traveling, competing in athletics, playing guitar, and participating in outdoor activities. Red is interested in research writing and enjoys working with clients on personal statements, presentations, and literature reviews. With an outgoing personality, Red often participates in public speaking events, attends conferences, and likes meeting new people.
Kaylie
Education: BS in Psychology with minors in Cognitive Science and Health Promotion; Pursuing MA in Psychology.
Kaylie is a MA student whose research focuses on belief in conspiracies, specifically how trauma influences these beliefs. Upon completion of her masters, Kaylie is hoping to obtain a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Kaylie is interested in assisting in research writing, including statistics, research and personal statements, and presentations. In her free time, she enjoys reading, riding horses, working out, and cuddling her cats.
Victoria
Education: BA in Biological Foundations of Behavior: Animal Behavior, minor in Studio Art; MA in
Core Consulting Team
Courtney
Education: Pursuing BA in Elementary Education
Courtney is a Junior pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. She is the President of Delight Ministries, and in her free time, she enjoys running, exploring new towns, journaling, reading, and shopping at Target.
Emma
Education: Pursuing BSN in Nursing
Courtney is a Junior pursuing a BSN degree. She joined the Writing Center team because I love to help people and help them achieve their goals and reach their highest potential. On campus, she is a part of YoungLife, and occasionally attends the Spikeball club. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, working out, hanging with friends, and if none of those, you will find her at the beach! After graduating, she hopes to become a travel nurse, and later a nurse practitioner.
Ginger
Education: Pursuing BA in Creative Writing, minor in History.
Ginger is a Creative Writing major and History minor and a member of the Honors College at OU. She believes like any other skill, writing requires practice over time, and she’s eager to help others learn and grow. She’s an avid reader, and in her free time, she’s trying to learn how to cook. She’s also very passionate about tabletop RPGs, and she runs a weekly Dungeons & Dragons game for her friends!
Hannah P.
Education: Pursuing BA in Creative Writing and Environmental Science
Hannah P. is a Creative Writing and Environmental Science major at OU. Creative writing is one of her biggest passions, so she finds herself doing that a lot. She reads when she can, goes on hikes when it's nice out, and watches way too many TV shows.
Hannah T.
Education: Pursuing a BA in Operations Management with a specialty in Project Management and a minor in Writing and Rhetoric.
Hannah has always enjoyed writing, and took a particular interest in the composition of rhetoric in early high school. This has led to her pursuing a writing-related minor in order to build argumentation and communication skills that will translate to a business career. She is the secretary of the Society of Operations Management, and is an OU Business Scholar. When she’s not busy on-campus, she works in the jewelry industry and travels wherever she can— most recently, to Spain!
Isabelle
Education: Pursuing BA in Writing & Rhetoric
Isabelle is a Writing and Rhetoric major at OU. She has a love for writing and helping others; so naturally, the Writing Center was the perfect place for her. Ultimately, she is looking to pursue a career in higher level English education. In her free time, Isabelle enjoys doing Crossfit six days a week, watching Friends, traveling to the UP, and cuddling with her unbelievably adorable cat, Nyara.
Kaitlyn
Education: Pursuing BA in Creative Writing with a specialization in Memoir and Essay
Kaitlyn has a passion for writing and reading. In her free time, she wrote eleven novels ranging in topics of dystopia to contemporary fiction. One day she hopes to publish some. She is also a lead writer for a non-profit organization for chronic illness. Her goal is to make people feel less alone, spread empathy, and inspiration. She will bring that same passion to the OUWC and will love to learn from her clients as well.
Kathryn
Education: Pursuing BA in Studio Art Ed. K-12, minor English STEP.
Kathryn is a senior majoring in Studio Art Education with a specialization in Painting, hoping to one day teach high school art. She enjoys assisting clients with the early stages of the writing process like brainstorming, organizing thoughts, and creating a thesis. Aside from painting, she loves creative writing, poetry, literature, movies, music, and as much outdoor-time as she can get.
Lauren
Education: Pursuing a BA in International Relations.
Lauren is a Junior pursuing a degree in Environmental Science. She knows how difficult writing can be, so she wants to be a friendly face that can guide others through the writing process. Her favorite aspects of the writing process to work on are brainstorming and organization. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her friends, playing ukulele, practicing her French, and being outside in nature.
Rachel P.
Education: Pursuing a BA in English, minoring in Creative Writing.
Rachel is a Junior pursuing a degree in Creative Writing. She likes to take classes at the Rec and hopes to get more involved in clubs on campus. In her free time, she likes to read, paint, and play frisbee with her dog.
Samantha
Education: Pursuing BA in Professional and Digital Writing, minoring in Journalism
Samantha is a Professional and Digital Writing major and Journalism minor at OU. She will be joining the Oakland Equestrian Team this upcoming year! She also likes to ride her motorcycle and enjoys skiing (in the winter), reading (especially in the summer), and taking long walks with her dog!
Sophia
Education: Pursuing a BA in English Secondary Education with a minor in History Secondary Education.
Sophia is an undergraduate student at OU. Her educational pursuits are primarily based on English 17th-19th Century studies, although she enjoys a wide variety of histories and literature from around the globe. Career-wise, Sophia enjoys working freelance as both an artist and as a diviner to uplift the aesthetic, spiritual, and wellness-oriented needs of others. In due time, Sophia hopes to make a positive impact in the classroom as a teacher. You may find her hugging trees, doodling, or playing Dungeons and Dragons in her downtime.
Xavier
Education: Pursuing BA in Creative Writing with a specialization in Fiction
Xavier is a Creative Writing Major. He has experience as a writer and as a tutor, making the Writing Center a perfect fit for him. Having spent almost all of his life in Mexico and then moving to Michigan, Xavier understands some of the struggles of bilingual writers when getting used to the American style. When he is not at school, you can find him playing chess, listening to music, or simply binging youtube videos for hours on end.