Our writing counselors are experienced and trained to work with all AU students, including those with learning disabilities or ADHD, as well as students for whom English is not a native language.

Andrew Cruze graduated from Saint Cloud University in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, with a BA in English with an emphasis in creative writing and a minor in film. He then served as an Americorps volunteer in Anchorage, Alaska, where he worked as a coach in a high school completion and GED program. Andrew is pursuing his MFA in Creative Writing at American University.

Ben Burns graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, with a BA in English with a writing concentration, and a minor in political science. Ben has been a professional writing tutor for over five years, working with college students in subjects across the curriculum. Ben is a copy editor for Morningside Partners, as well as a writer and blogger. He is also an avid Boston sports fan.  

Connie Gelb is a native New Yorker and a graduate student in AU's TESOL program, with a special interest in second language writing. A "career switcher," with 20 years experience in journalism and publishing, Connie received her MS in Journalism from Columbia University and has worked professionally as a reporter, photographer, and multimedia editor.

Gina Evers is a first generation Italian-American from the Chicago area. She formally studied English, Theatre and Writing, and received her BA from Ithaca College in New York, where she then worked as a Residence Director for three years. In addition to being a graduate student and Writing Lab counselor, Gina works at the Washington College of Law.

Ira Fabri holds an MA in International Communications with a concentration in Global Media Studies from AU's School of International Service, as well as a master's degree in foreign languages and literatures from the University of Torino, Italy. She started her career as a teaching assistant and a freelance journalist, and later became a teacher of English as a second language, a position she held for twelve years.

Samantha Parkes earned her MA in Language, Literature and Composition at the University of Kansas where she also taught composition and literature courses. She then migrated to the former Soviet Republic of Moldova where she served as a Peace Corps volunteer for two years, teaching American and British culture at the State University of Cahul. She is currently pursuing an MA in TESOL.

Writing Lab and Writing Studio Coordinator

Shari Pattillo is the counselor for international students at the Academic Support Center and coordinator of the Writing Lab and Writing Studio. She graduated in 1993 from University of Maryland, College Park, with a BA in Anthropology, and completed her MA in TESOL at American University in 2002. She has taught at AU in both the TESOL program and SIS. Her professional interests include immigrant education, refugee resettlement, and linguistics.