Meet Our Staff
Mechelle Rouchon
GA Assistant Director
How's it goin'? I'm a graduate student in English, concentrating in Language and Literacy. I'm also the GA Assistant Director of the Writing Center; if you have any comments or questions regarding the Center, I'd love to hear them. I received my Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature with a minor in History here at Southeastern in spring 2009. I was honored to get the President's Medal for Outstanding Academic Achievement at commencement. Besides being involved with classes and the Writing Center, I am an officer in Sigma Tau Delta (the English Honor's Society). I love working at the Writing Center because the written word and people are two of my favorite things, and there is nothing as rewarding as putting the two together to make each better--as in better writing and better writers. Come on by and see what I mean.
Alysia Catanzaro
Teaching Apprentice, Writing Tutor
This is my fifth semester in the Writing Center. I graduated in May 2003 with a bachelor's degree in History, a minor in English, and studies in Archaeology. I am currently working on my master's in English with a Creative Writing concentration. Besides being a full-time graduate student and a Writing Center tutor, I am a fiction writer and a poet. I have been published in both The Pick and Gambit, and I am expanding my writing to other Louisiana publications. I hope you will submit your work and support the English Department's growing student publications.
Garrett Hines
Writing Tutor
Hey, I'm returning to Southeastern for my graduate studies after completing my undergraduate degree in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. My first dramatic performance monologue, "Ghosts," was performed in the Student Union Theatre during the spring 2005 semester, which helped me get the 2005 Coumes Scholarship. I've since performed a staged reading of portions of my play 72 Rebecca Lane at the 2006 PCA/ACA Pop-Culture Conference in Atlanta, as well as various readings and performances (I played Jack Ruffin in Faith's Affair in the Vonnie Borden Theatre in 2006, as well as performed a piece for the Southeastern Monologue SLAM). I'm trying my best to pursue a film acting career (I recently became a member of the Screen Actors Guild), but am here in the Writing Center to tutor. I write a bit of everything (drama, short stories, and poetry) and have completed my fair share of academic papers. So don't be bashful: come for the help, stay for the coffee.
Rachel Lee
Writing Tutor, Editor, The Pick
Hello! This is my third semester working in the Writing Center as a graduate student. In May 2008, I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in English. I am currently working towards my master’s degree with a concentration in Professional Writing. This is my second semester as Editor of The Pick. I am also the Vice President of Southeastern’s English Honors Society, Sigma Tau Delta. I enjoy reading student’s papers during tutoring sessions as well as during our publication process, and I look forward to meeting with you this semester!
Kelly O'Gea
Writing Tutor, Editor, Gambit
I graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University in Fall 2008 with a bachelor's degree in English and minors in Psychology, Technical Writing, and Italian. I am back at Southeastern working toward a master's degree in English with a concentration in Language and Literacy. I am very excited to be the new editor of Gambit, our creative writing publication. There are exciting changes coming to Gambit, including a new, interactive website launching in the fall. I would love to speak with any of you who have an interest in submitting to Gambit, and we are always accepting submissions! Don't be afraid--stop by with your writing and you may just be in our next issue!
Rebecca Rainier
Writing Tutor
I’m glad to be back as a writing tutor and doing Public Relations for the Writing Center! I received a bachelor’s degree in Radio/Television Production from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2000. After that, I worked as a Writer/Producer for television stations in New Orleans and San Antonio. I soon figured out that I like the writing side of the business rather than the technical side. Right now, I’m working on my master’s degree in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. I like to write fiction and comedy, and I look forward to reading what you all write!
Heidi Toloudis
Writing Tutor
This is my third semester as a graduate student and graduate assistant in the Writing Center. In 2008, I graduated from Nicholls State University with a bachelor's degree in English, concentration in Technical Writing. I am a big believer in continuing education, so in the fall of 2008 I began pursuing a master's degree in English with a concentration in Professional Writing. In addition to being a writing tutor, I am the business manager for Gambit and an editorial board member for The Pick. I am also in charge of updating the Writing Center web pages, a job I thoroughly enjoy as I hope to continue working with digital publishing in my career. All of these responsibilities are helping to further my education, and I am looking forward to helping you as you continue your education at Southeastern.
Chris Cook
Writing Tutor
Greetings, noble reader of these Writing Center biographies. Thank you for gracing us with your virtual presence on this lovely website. Obviously you wish to familiarize yourself with our dedicated staff; otherwise, you would not be reading this. It is therefore my proud duty as a new Graduate Assistant to acquaint you with my background by disclosing socially appropriate information that is typically exchanged during first encounters as defined by cultural standards. Hailing from a distant land far to the south known as Chalmette (aka God's Promised Land), I traversed hellishly high waters and pernicious political activity in an attempt to find a more suitable home away from the flood-prone New Orleans area. Although I consider myself a New Orleans native in Diaspora, I have thoroughly enjoyed living in Hammond for nearly 1000 lunar circulations. I previously attended Loyola University New Orleans during my undergraduate years, earning a degree in Communications in 2005. After a two year experience in the New Orleans work force, I found myself longing for a different atmosphere. After reimmersing myself in the waters of scholastic endeavor by studying at Southeastern, I discovered a deeper appreciation for academia and hope to someday become an educator and a writer. My current projects include revising a play for submission to the Tennessee Williams Festival and researching a possible correlation between astrology/personology and Myers-Briggs personality types. And in case the previous statement ignited the fires of curiosity deep within you, I am a proud Pisces to the very core of my existence. Interestingly enough, the joke about reading good books and taking long walks on the beach actually applies to me, but I also enjoy teaching and helping others. Keeping this in mind, I can't wait to see you here in the Writing Center, the place where dreams come true!
Jordan Kelt
Writing Tutor
Hello, my name is Jordan Kelt. I am a graduate student who lives in Covington, and my passion is writing poetry. I obtained my undergrad degree in English, concentration in Writing from Loyola University of New Orleans in 2007. I have been published in Revisions, Loyola New Orleans’ student writing magazine. I am from Meraux, LA, a division of St. Bernard Parish. This is my first semester in the Writing Center, and I am looking forward to an exciting semester using what I have learned about the craft of writing to help you on your writing journey.
Tracy Valentine
Writing Tutor
My name is Tracy Valentine, and this is my first semester working as a tutor in the Writing Center. I received my bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and a minor in French in Spring 2008. I am presently a graduate student majoring in English with a Language and Literacy concentration. Before working in the Writing Center, I held the position of Editor in Chief of the Lion’s Roar, Southeastern’s campus newspaper. I would like to become an English professor, so I would really like you to come in and help me polish up my tutorial skills. I look forward to meeting you.
Natalie Rich
Supplemental Instruction Leader
¡Hola chicos! My name is Natalie Rich. I am in my third year as an English major with a concentration in language and literature, and I am also pursuing a minor in Spanish. I have worked the past two semesters for Southeastern as a Supplemental Instruction Leader for the Center of Student Excellence and a tutor in the Writing Center. I enjoy reading and analyzing literature—though it took me awhile to figure out how to write about it—and I hope to help others with their writing as well!
Tommie Sorrell
Supplemental Instruction Leader
The Writing Center is an amazing and diverse group of individuals united to celebrate the writer’s voice. I am Tommie Sorrell, and I am glad to be a part of this community. I am a senior and will graduate in the fall of 2009 with a degree in English and a concentration in Creative Writing and a minor in History. This is my first semester as an SI Leader, and I an eager to help others improve upon their English skills. I write whatever rumbles about in my mind be it poetry, fiction, or drama. My first written performance was a monologue performed at the Southeastern Monologue SLAM. After that, my play Voodoo Vows received a staged reading in the Vonnie Borden at the 2008 Louisiana College Theatre Festival, and it was presented as a staged reading at the Region VI festival in San Marcos, Texas. My plans after I graduate in the fall, include pursuing a master's degree at Southeastern in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. There you have a little snip about my life. Now, it is your turn. Stop in the Writing Center: say hello, bring your paper, ask questions, or simply grab a cup of Joe.
Chantel Terrell
Work Study Assistant
Hi, Southeastern students! I am a junior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Family and Consumer Sciences. I have been working in the Writing Center since August 2007, and it has been a good experience because the Writing Center is a fun,
helpful, and laid back environment. You may see me mostly at the front desk
with a smile on my face helping students schedule appointments,
answering emails, and performing other important clerical duties. So, come to the Writing Center and get help with your papers, hang out until your next class starts, warm up your lunch, and have a cup of our famous FREE coffee!
Austin Payne
Work Study Assistant
I'm excited about returning to Southeastern this semester and continuing my studies as an English major. In addition to language, literature, and writing, my interests include complicated music, excessively simple music, games, and all things eccentric. I like to think of myself as easygoing and open minded. I enjoy working at the Writing Center as an undergraduate work study student and hope to spend many more semesters in the company of writers of all disciplines and interests. After earning my bachelor's degree in English, I plan to work towards earning my master's and seeking work at a publishing company.
Contact Us:
Southeastern Writing Center
383 D. Vickers Hall
(985) 549-2076