The Dallas Baptist University Writing Center (UWC) is grateful to have many talented student workers who, driven by their love for words, put so much effort into writing blogs throughout the semester alongside their course work! We invite you to get to know each of them a little better below.
UWC Director – Kā Riley
Kā has been the director of the UWC for 13 years. She began leading the office while working toward her master’s degree in liberal arts with a concentration in English. Before that, she worked here as a student worker while pursuing her undergraduate degree.
Consultant Coordinator – Caroline Johnson
Caroline is pursuing a degree in English, with a minor in communications. Although she is unsure about where she wants these degrees to take her, she hopes to continue to use her love of words within a professional setting; maybe one day she’ll have a book on the shelves. She is excited to see where God takes her
Consultant Coordinator– Kayla Harper 
Kayla pursues a degree in visual arts. She started out as a UWC receptionist, but decided to shift her focus and become a consultant. She often can be found walking one of DBU’s beautiful trails, enjoying a mug of hot herbal tea, or reading a book in peaceful silence. She remains interested in a wide variety of topics, and as a graphic design major, she hopes to put her creative skills to work in some sort of artistic career field. She loves any kind of creative media and hopes to pursue that post-college!
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Writing Consultants
Naomi Hernandez
Naomi majors in psychology, with hopes to become a professional counselor. Some of her other life goals include: finishing writing the collection of novel ideas she compiled over the years and becoming fluent in Spanish and possibly Japanese or Korean, too. She also hopes to one day study astronomy, run a marathon, swim in a waterfall, stage a photoshoot in a castle, learn how to Salsa dance, roller skate, and write in calligraphy. Finally, she hopes to someday discover the wardrobe passage to Narnia. Know that if one day she suddenly disappears, she has found it and decided to stay.
Gaylemarie Badrina
Gayle majors in psychology and originally hoped to go into counselling, but since decided to start off in the research field before opening her own practice. She also wants to one day bring the knowledge she gains from her career to countries that need it, further serving and honoring the Lord and His people through that. When not a church, school, or work, Gayle loves to read, play music, and travel. These hobbies allow her to cherish the beauty God gifted to us through the blessing of His creation.
Receptionists
Alexis Farino 
Alexis is a double major in political science, as well as politics, philosophy, and economics, with a pre-law minor to top the cake. She comes from a chaotic home with five cats, three hamsters, and a dog all running around the house. Alexis is from a small town called Jarrell, near central Texas. Though they only have stop signs and truckers, there are also have some awesome taco trucks and the town itself is quite homey.
Rachel Caña
Rachel majors in computer science and immerses herself in a vast array of hobbies. She loves to study language (and is currently learning Japanese and two different Filipino languages) as well as partake in more artsy hobbies, such as sewing and playing multiple instruments. However, her biggest goal pertains to creating and maintaining meaningful relationships in her life and sharing the joy God has blessed her with to others. Her future remains unknown to her, but she know she can live a fulfilling life with the relationships by which she is blessed.
Graduated Bloggers
Leah Lewis
Leah is pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education and is student teaching. After graduation, she hopes to teach elementary school. In addition, she feels drawn to overseas ministry and wishes to follow the call to teach wherever God may lead her.
Jack Love
Jack graduated with a BAS in English. He is now pursuing a Master’s Degree in English. In the future, Jack wishes to earn his doctorate and enrich the lives of college students by teaching English at the university level.
Meredith Rose
Meredith graduated with a BA in Public Relations Communication. In the future, she hopes to work in communications as well as bring the joy of reading to both children and adults by becoming a published author.
Amanda Soderberg
Amanda graduated with an Associates of Science. After graduating from DBU, she plans to attend Baylor’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing to pursue a BS in Nursing. In the future, she hopes to work as a labor and delivery nurse, as well as a nurse practitioner specializing in women’s health.
Robyn Key
Robyn is working toward a BA in Communications: Broadcasting and Digital Media. In the future, she hopes to use her communication skills in any way she can, especially to start a program that teaches kids and teens the importance of communication and social skills.
Trisha Gracy
Trisha is the lead Writing Consultant in the UWC. She is pursuing a BBA in Business Management. In the future, she hopes to operate her own nursing home as she is passionate about caring for the elderly.
Ryan Thompson
Ryan is pursuing Teacher Certification in 7th-12th Grade English Language Arts and Reading. Feeling a strong calling from God to teach in public schools, Ryan desires to bring the light of Christ’s love to the faculty, staff, and students in the public school system.
Kenean Bekele
Kenean is pursuing BAS in Biology. In addition to master’s work, she plans to seek a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. In the future, Kenean wishes to work in medical missions, traveling across the world and bringing assistance to those in great physical need.
Karina Baganz
Karina is pursuing a BAS in Biblical Studies with a potential minor in Sociology. In the future, she aspires to work in women’s ministry, sharing the love of Christ with victims of domestic violence and sex trafficking.
Grace Hodges
Grace is pursuing a MA in Professional Counseling and plans to become a licensed professional counselor. She aspires to work in marriage and family therapy to help couples and families cope with pain and process grief and loss.
Eleanor Kriegel
Eleanor is pursuing a BA in English and plans to use her degree to become an editor. She also hopes to use her passion for creating stories to become an author. Overall, she desires to grow and learn in her relationship with God.
Belle Guy
Belle majors in elementary education and plans to get get a Masters of Library Science, with hopes to become a children’s librarian who shows kids the joys of reading and how they can use it to travel the world – or even to other worlds – without leaving the room. She desires to use her position to show Christ to children and to remind them that he remains ever with them. She loves to read, embroider, and watch movies, and she gravitates towards media featuring magic and fantasy.
Kaley Crocker
Kaley Crocker is a PPE major and plans to receive her Master’s degree in International Studies. She hopes to either work internationally for the US government, or go into immigration work for other students. She is a huge advocate for equal and easily accessible education for all children globally, so getting a chance to serve as a voice for these kids would be her greatest dream accomplished.
Jessica Findley
Jessica majors in English and hopes to one day become a book editor. She is passionate about reading, writing, and eating, and she harbors a particular love for The Lord of the Rings. She also enjoys watching a good romantic comedy and taking walks. One of her main hobbies is cooking, and you can often find her in the kitchen, creating her masterpieces. While she loves working at the UWC and serving students through her job, her greatest desire remains to learn about and glorify God daily.
Deneen Sanchez
Deneen is pursuing a BA in Early Childhood Education and plans to seek a Master’s of Reading. She feels called to teach in elementary schools in low-income areas, desiring to use her degree to work with students who are not native English speakers. She aspires to show every child that they are capable of success.
Gracie Hatley
Gracie is pursuing a degree in music business and hopes to one day be a composer. Traveling remains one of her and her family’s favorite pastimes. She affectionately refers to the UWC as the Nerd Cave and loves working in such a fun, yet simultaneously peaceful environment. She considers her caffeine addiction a personality trait and also loves to longboard. She remains passionate about writing music and plays multiple different instruments. Her music ranges from lyrical songs to orchestral compositions.
If you are a Dallas Baptist University student and would like to work in the Writing Center, please visit our office in the basement of the Collins Learning Center (Room 001) to see if we’re hiring!
Owl Things Considered 