Writing Center Staff

Genevieve Williams, Writing Center Coordinator

Genevieve N. Williams (she/her/hers) has been working in writing centers since 2016. She loves helping students of varied language contexts and disciplines. As the writing center coordinator, Genevieve aims to increase accessibility, decrease barriers to help-seeking behaviors, and co-create brave spaces both in-person and online. Holding an MFA in Writing from University of Nebraska at Omaha, she is a poet whose poetry has won two Helen W. Kenefick Academy of American Poets Prizes, an Edward Stanley Award from Prairie Schooner, and a Plainsongs Award, and has been nominated for Pushcart Prizes and Best of the Net. Genevieve has presented a talk and practice on mindfulness in writing centers to both the Nebraska Writing Centers Consortium and the National Conference on Peer Tutoring in Writing. In 2023, she attended the European Writing Centers Association's Summer Institute, and she continually works to put into practice the principles and strategies learned during that program. When Genevieve isn't working, you can often find her practicing yoga, meditating, reading, going for hikes, or spending time with people she loves.

Ciara Hoff, Writing Consultant

Ciara Hoff (she/her/hers) is a fiction writer, AmeriCorps alumni, freelance editor, and undergraduate creative writing instructor with an MFA in Writing from the University of Nebraska at Omaha where she was awarded the program’s first ever graduate teaching assistantship. Ciara has taught and mentored students in both college readiness and written communication since 2018 and has a passion for helping others “find their voice.” Her early short fiction has appeared in 13th Floor Magazine, and she is currently working on her first novel. When not writing, editing essays, or explaining how to use Microsoft Office to college freshman, she is either walking her dog or playing The Sims 4.

Linda Loftus, Writing Consultant

Linda Loftus (she/her/hers) has been teaching English courses at the college and university levels as well as in the intensive language programs at Bellevue University and at University of Nebraska at Omaha. She served thirteen years in the United States Army / Air Force from 1985 - 1998, where she served two years of active duty while stationed in Germany and the remaining years in the Military Intelligence field as a reservist. She earned both her bachelor's and master's degree in English at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and has earned her TESOL certification from American TESOL Institute (ATI). Ms. Loftus has over twenty-five years of teaching at local colleges; but her true passion lies in serving her community.

Kelly Sylte, Writing Consultant

Kelly A. Sylte, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) is a two-time graduate of online programs at Bellevue University. With a doctoral degree also earned online, she understands the importance of seeking guidance to succeed in a virtual learning environment. Kelly is available for asynchronous writing assistance working remotely from northwestern Wisconsin. A reader from youth, her writing skills developed through work in newspapers, administrative assistant roles, grant writing, and college courses. A few of the many courses Kelly has taught include business communication, oral and interpersonal communication, and proofreading for the office. She and her husband like to travel, and Kelly says she enjoys a good play on words or an unexpected pun! As a member of the Writing Center Team, Kelly is here to assist with your academic success.

Michelle Troxclair, Writing Consultant

Michelle Troxclair (she/her/hers) is a mother of three, a daughter and two sons. She holds a bachelor's degree in English, a master’s degree in public administration with an emphasis in non-profit organization management, and a Masters in Fine Arts in poetry. For several years, Michelle worked in social service in affordable housing and youth services and switched hats in 2007 to take on a role as an Arts Administrator at Love’s Jazz & Arts Center. This is where she began her work using the arts to promote social justice causes, to give voice to marginalized communities, and to bring communities together to promote respect and acceptance, In 2013, she began work as Deputy Director with the Nebraska Writers Collective and transitioned in 2017 to run their programs in Blackburn Alternative High School and the Douglas County Youth Correctional Center working with troubled youth. She was the co-creator and host of open mics Verbal Gumbo and Tapestries, a founding member and creator of The Wordsmiths (a traveling spoken word troop), FLIYE Arts Company mentor for the FAYD After-school Program, Step-Up Program Instructor, Juneteenth Nebraska Youth Arts Festival coordinator, and political commentator for Mind & Soul 101.3FM and 1st Sky Omaha Podcast. She has been writing poetry and performing as a spoken word artist for over 25 years. Troxclair is a published author, playwright, arts coordinator, educator, community organizer, and advocate. Most recently, she joined with the newly remodeled, historic Benson Theatre to ensure underrepresented communities have their voices heard and experiences told through arts and education. And, she is working to build a diversity, inclusion, equity, and access project in collaboration with the Benson Theatre and her newly founded company Indivisible: DEIA Specialists. Again, the goal is to knit together underserved communities using the arts and engage organizations and businesses in really addressing the needs of those communities.