Meet the Consultants

Emma Ayers is wearing glasses and standing outside.

My name is Emma Ayers. On the rare occasions that you can’t find me in Case Hall, I may be conducting research for the MSU Religious Studies department, at Planned Parenthood Generation Action meetings, cooking and gardening with friends, or camping out in the MSU library. Don’t hesitate to reach out for information about study abroad, honors options, scholarships, class schedules, and campus life in addition to any JMC writing. If you need a break from essays, come chat about your favorite song or something cool you did this week! Gaining confidence in your work can be a struggle, but I always find it easier to make sense of my own thoughts when I reach out for new perspectives. I can’t wait to share my love of writing with y’all as we learn and grow together this year!

Hi everyone! My name is Belma Hodzic, and I’m a junior double-majoring in Comparative Cultures and Politics (CCP) and World Politics, and minoring in Film Studies and Women and Gender Studies. Along with being a writing consultant, I am a Teaching Assistant for MC 201, a research assistant for Dr. Ana Bracic of the Department of Political Science, and a staff writer and mentor for the Her Campus Chapter at MSU. Outside of school and clubs, I love longboarding, biking, and being in nature! My career aspirations are to go into international aid and help relocate, settle, and integrate refugees. Being in JMC has been a wonderful experience, and I would love to extend my gratitude and knowledge to others! I hope to help students find their voice and give advice on writing style, structure, and time management. JMC writing can be a difficult task, but I hope that with aid and confidence, you’ll soon come to love it. I look forward to meeting you!

This photo of Colin Reese is a selfie taken outside. He is wearing glasses and a blue and white baseball cap.

Howdy! My name is Colin Reese and I am a junior in JMC. I’m majoring in Comparative Cultures and Politics (CCP) with a Science, Technology, Environment and Public Policy (STEPP) minor! I’m also majoring in Interdisciplinary Social Science, with a minor in Environmental Social Science (ESS). I get really excited around writing, conversation and especially the accomplished feeling of finding the right way to put interesting thoughts into clear prose. I’m the type of person who will hold up a whole conversation just to try to find the exact right word. I’m genuinely looking forward to the consultancy, because I can spend time doing what I love, reading and talking and writing, while also meeting members of the JMC community!

Outside of the consultancy, I am the director of the Spartan Sierra Club (@spartansierraclub on Instagram; it’s super cool you should check it out) and am involved in MSU International Relations Organization. In my freetime I am usually drawing, hiking in the middle of nowhere and generally adventuring. I hope to see you in the writing center and the halls of JMC. I'm always happy to review your writing last minute, or sit down for an in-depth discussion!

Logan Skinner is wearing a suit and tie.

Hey! I'm Logan Skinner and I'm a senior in JMC majoring in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy (PTCD). I love reading and writing and I'm thrilled to join the JMC Writing Center this year! Outside of JMC, I am a scholar in the Community Engagement Scholars Program, I'm part of the TEDxMSU club and I'm a referee for USA Hockey. In my free time I enjoy being outside, playing guitar, playing sports and hanging out with friends.

During my time in JMC, I've been able to develop my writing ability more than I think I could've anywhere else. Writing papers about the important, but complex, topics we study in JMC is often difficult but always rewarding. I look forward to meeting you all and am excited to learn, grow, and improve our writing together!

Hi there! I'm Dheeraj Thota, your Math Consultant at the JMC Learning Lab. I'm currently majoring in Computer Science and Psychology. My passion for math and technology drives me to explore various topics and challenges. Outside of academics, I love coding and hanging out with my friends. I'm here to help you with your math queries and make learning an enjoyable experience. Feel free to reach out anytime!

Meghan Valade is wearing a floral dress and standing on a beach.

Hi everyone! My name is Meghan Valade. I am currently a junior in JMC and I am majoring in Social Relations and Policy with a minor in Business. I am so excited to join the JMC Writing Center this year! I think James Madison classrooms are the most impactful when collaboration is welcomed and you are able to bounce your ideas off of each other. I am thrilled to be a part of fostering that environment. I can’t wait to assist you in any way that I can!

I currently serve as Recruitement Chair of Kappa Alpha Pi Pre-Law Professional Fraternity. After graduation, I plan to attend law school and become a praticing Title IX attorney! I am also a podcast host for VIM, Michigan State’s Fashion Magazine, and I serve as a Student Rights Advocate for ASMSU. I hope none of you will receive any Academic Dishonesty Violations, but if you do, please visit the SRA office to seek representation!

Outside of the classroom, I love reading, thrift shopping, hanging out with my friends, working out and watching reality tv shows. Please feel free to come say hi and chat about anything you need!

Thea Walerski is wearing a black jacket and top.

Hello everyone! My name is Thea Walerski, and I am currently a junior here at James Madison College. I am beyond excited to work with all of you this year, and in continuing to build a stronger relationship with the Madison community! Please feel free to stop in at any time if you need help navigating the writing process or even if you need someone to chat with. I am not only here for your writing but to support you through the college experience! I believe at its core, the Writing Center does not just assist students with writing but is a safe environment for Madisonians to learn how to dive deeper into classroom material and draw out their own, unique and original perspectives. I hope to make the Center as a gateway for students to begin their journeys as professional writers, but also a place to formulate new ideas to transform the world into a place where we all can prosper.