The Writing Center is excited to welcome Sara Brenes Akerman to our team as a senior tutor!
Ms. Brenes Akerman comes to The Writing Center with extensive experience in supporting undergraduate and graduate writing. She earned her BA in both communication and cinema studies from the University of Pennsylvania, an MFA in Creative Writing from New York University, and her MA in English and American Literature from Washington University in St. Louis.
In addition to her experience teaching writing and literature, Ms. Brenes Akerman has served as a fellow for English Language Programs, where she supported graduate student writing and language skills.
Her interests also include supporting graduate student careers. As a Chancellor’s Fellow, she co-designed and implemented a career education course for new graduate students. Likewise, she served as a graduate student career advisor at the Career Center.
When asked what brought her to The Writing Center, she pointed to her own experiences as a writer: “I first experienced The Writing Center as a graduate student participating in dissertation writing retreats. I was struck by the way in which The Writing Center demystified writing, often an anxiety-ridden process, and made writing feel approachable. Dissertation writing can often be isolating, and so I also greatly appreciated the sense of community that participating in those retreats gave me. When the opportunity arose to join The Writing Center as a senior tutor, I knew I wanted to help other writers in the very ways in which I had been helped.”
Our entire staff looks forward to working with Sara, and we welcome her to our community!