Do you sometimes find yourself at a loss for words when it’s time to write your final paper? Whether you struggle with APA style or just need a little bit of revision help, we are here for you! At Johnson & Wales University’s College of Online Education, we have a dedicated writing specialist who is available to work with you when things get tough — her name is Kellie Nappa.
Kellie joined the JWU Online team in January 2017 as a Student Writing Support Specialist. She holds an MA in English with a Concentration in Rhetoric and Composition Studies from the University of Rhode Island, and looks forward to beginning coursework towards her doctorate in Higher Education Administration this year.
Prior to joining the College of Online Education team, she acted as a Composition Instructor for both the Community College of Rhode Island and Roger Williams University. And before relocating back to her home state of Rhode Island, she was responsible for enhancing the writing and reading comprehension skills of students with learning and language disabilities at a nonprofit organization located in Northern Vermont. She is published in Community College Moment and Academic Exchange Quarterly, and acts as Submission Review for College English and as a National Judge for student writing contests through the National Council of Teachers of English.
We sat down with Kellie to ask her a little bit about herself and see how she hopes to help online students meet their goals.
What Should Students Know About You?
Challenging and engaging others, and myself, is my ultimate goal and one that I continue to strive for. The context of the online environment shapes my approach, in that each student occupies what I call three “spaces” of learning and language — work, family, and school — and it is through these spaces that I guide each student to consider their communicative abilities.
What Kind of Help Can You Offer to Students?
Students should know that I’m a packrat of information and resources! I am always on the hunt, whether through my own experiences, online research, or participation in online forums, for the most useful means of helping students with their critical thinking and writing skills. Because of this, I have already compiled a wealth of resources, from tips on subject-verb agreement to time-management strategies, that I am eager to share! You most certainly should take advantage of the instructional materials I continue to perfect, because they are comprehensive, timely, and above all interactive, easy to follow, and available to you from the comfort of your home, twenty-four hours a day!
Contact Kellie about writing support »
What Type of Advice Would You Give to Students Who Are New to Online Learning?
For those students who are new to online learning, I recommend to keep in mind the following: we learn to write by writing, and revising, and writing again, and the most successful learning occurs in many different ways, through many different technologies. Your comprehension of course material will be influenced by your life and work experiences, and through your interactions with others, both in the real and virtual worlds. And that’s a good thing! It will all help you to become a well-rounded, global learner.
What Would Someone Be Surprised to Learn About You?
I was a bit of a rebel in my teenage years and even went cliff diving in Jamestown, Rhode Island! In my free time, I love to read, volunteer, swim, and spoil my niece, Cora.
Do you have questions about taking classes online? For more information on how JWU Online can help you reach your career goals, contact us at 855-JWU-1881 or email [email protected].