Our academic writing coaches and editors offer impeccable editing skills, a meticulous eye for detail, and a caring and supportive approach to their work with students, faculty, and academic and career professionals. Learn more about our team!
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Ah Ra Cho has over 10 years of experience working in higher education, from student affairs to academic affairs, with a particular focus on institutional research, effectiveness, assessment, and evaluation.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Alan Acosta is a higher education professional with 14 years of experience as an associate dean of students, assistant director for residence life, and residence coordinator, all roles he held at Florida State University. While at Florida State, he earned his PhD in higher education administration part time while working full time.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Alicia Cintron is an entrepreneur with over 10 years of experience in higher education as a graduate assistant, researcher, and educator. Alicia runs her own research communications company, helping scholars communicate their research to the public. She is also an adjunct professor in the sports administration program in the Woods College of Advancing Studies at Boston College.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Alexis Jones is an assistant professor of teacher education at Eastern Illinois University. She is a former elementary teacher who strongly believes that humanity and relationships in classrooms are just as important as academic instruction. She earned all three of her degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is now teaching at Eastern Illinois University.
DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC WRITING
COACHING & EDITING
Dr. Ally Hartzell earned all of her degrees at The University of Texas at Austin. She earned her bachelor’s degree in human ecology while competing as an all-American collegiate diver, graduated with honors, and received an award for having the highest cumulative GPA of any graduating student-athlete.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Ashley Staples is a U.S. Fulbright scholar at Durham University in England with a concurrent visiting faculty post at The Ohio State University for the 2021–2022 academic year. She completed her doctorate in educational studies with a focus in higher education and student affairs at Ohio State and transitioned into a postdoctoral scholar position first with the Interfaith Diversity Experiences and Attitudes Longitudinal Study (IDEALS) and then the Interfaith, Spiritual, Religious, and Secular Campus Climate Index (INSPIRES Index) project.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Caleb J. Keith (he/him/his) serves as director of institutional improvement at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). He works in the Office of Planning and Institutional Improvement, directing the Program Review process, supporting IUPUI’s Program Review and Assessment Committee, providing internal consulting services to support change management processes, analyzing trends and producing periodic reports, collaborating with the senior advisor to the chancellor and other campus leaders on strategic projects, representing the office to various campus and external constituencies, and making intellectual contributions through professional venues.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Cassie Kao (pronounced K-C K-O) has worked in public higher education for over 10 years with experience from working with the president and supporting the board of trustees to advocating and furthering the work of student affairs. Prior to that, she worked in the real estate development and management sector. Her interests include exercising and being active, watching movies, helping people find and live out their purpose, and cheering for the local champions—New England Patriots!
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Chad E. Harris is a scholar of philosophy of education, film philosophy, and film reception studies. He earned a PhD in cultural foundations from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s Department of Educational Leadership and Cultural Foundations. Two years prior, he completed a postbaccalaureate certificate in women’s and gender studies from UNC Greensboro’s Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Cynthia Avery recently retired after a 32+ year career in student affairs. She has experience in medium and large institutions and private and public campuses. Dr. Avery holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from UCSD/SDSU/CSUSM, a master's degree in college student development, and a bachelor's in management science.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Damon Sloan is executive director of community standards and student advocacy at Governors State University in Illinois. He earned his Doctor of Education degree at the University of St. Francis, while serving as vice president of student & alumni affairs and dean of students. Dr. Sloan also holds a Master of Science degree in student counseling from Kansas State University, a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre/speech communication from Siena Heights University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from Ball State University.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Darbi Leigh Roberts has spent 15 years at the intersection of the student affairs and international education fields. Her focus has been on serving international student populations and supporting the internationalization efforts of institutions such as Columbia University, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, and Southern New Hampshire University.
Although her personality is decidedly Midwestern, Darbi could call Texas, Virginia, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Qatar, New York City, Chicago, New Hampshire, or South Carolina her home.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. David Schmid, better known as Schmiddy to his colleagues and students, is an associate professor and program coordinator at the University of Northern Iowa in the postsecondary education: student affairs program. In this role, he teaches numerous classes in the masters and doctoral programs, in addition to serving as dissertation and thesis chair and committee member.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. DeAris Vontae Hoard is a lecturer of criminal justice at Eastern New Mexico University, an adjunct in the public safety department at Franklin University, and a contributing faculty member at Walden University. He also serves as a police training officer with the Louisville Metro Police Department, and an affiliated research scientist with the Integrative Behavioral Health Research Institute.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Dena Kniess (she/her/hers) has over 2 decades of experience in higher education as a practitioner and faculty member. She is an Associate Professor and Program Director for the MA in student affairs administration at Appalachian State University.
DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC WRITING
COACHING & EDITING
Dr. Emily Guetzoian is a proud first-generation college graduate. She holds a BA in sociology and a BA in communication from California State University Channel Islands, an MS in counseling and guidance (college student personnel) from California Lutheran University, and an EdD in higher education leadership from Fresno State University. Her dissertation was a mixed-methods, multi-institutional study examining the academic success, feelings of belonging, and commitment to service of first-generation sorority members.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Dennis Sheridan is professor emeritus of higher education leadership at Azusa Pacific University (APU) in California where he taught for more than 25 years. His leadership roles at APU included program director of the MEd program in college counseling and student development and the EdD program in higher education leadership.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Erika Pichardo works in higher education within student affairs. The college is located in New York and serves a diverse group of undergraduate and graduate students. In her role, she focuses on prevention, education, and awareness on sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. She coordinates various workshops and events related to these topics while also training student leaders, faculty, and staff. Her goal is to improve the education and awareness around these issues to normalize the topics of consent and healthy relationships and to disrupt gender stereotypes.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Not to be confused with her identical twin sister Genice Sarcedo-Magruder, EdD, Dr. Geneva Sarcedo (she/her/hers) is an academic advisor in the School of Education and Human Development at University of Colorado Denver, where she also teaches in the first-year experience program and Ethnic Studies department. She earned her PhD in education and human development from CU Denver in 2020, MA in educational organization and leadership with an emphasis in higher education from University of San Francisco, and BS in human development and minor in education from University of California, Davis.
DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC WRITING
COACHING & EDITING
Dr. Gillian Foss is a recent graduate of the PhD program in educational leadership and research at Louisiana State University, where she specialized in higher education administration. Her major research interests include higher education law, finance, and policy, and her dissertation explored how those systems intersect and operationalize on a modern university campus.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Ginny Boss is an assistant professor of college student affairs administration and leadership at the University of Georgia. She completed her graduate degrees in college student affairs (PhD) and mental health counseling (MA) as well as an undergraduate degree in communication studies (BA). She has been working professionally in higher education since 2007, and she has been a faculty member since 2014.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Gretchen D. Fricke completed her EdD in educational leadership with a focus in higher education student services from the University of Missouri St. Louis. Her dissertation explored the constructs of thriving in student affairs professionals to address the concern of staff retention.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Jason Fitzer spent more than a decade as a student affairs educator focused on helping students become involved and engaged with their institution and college experience. Jason gained experience supporting student organizations, fraternities and sororities, student government, student conduct, new student orientation, and facilitating student leadership experiences.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Jill Perry is an associate professor of practice at the University of Pittsburgh. She has spent her career leading and teaching in various areas of higher education including international education and professional education. Most recently, she has focused on the design and delivery of professional doctoral programs in education with the aim of preparing professionals to become scholarly practitioners through the application of inquiry, literature, and research to impact the practice of education.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Burdett is an academic editor with over 3 decades of experience in higher education. Kim earned her bachelor’s degree in social ecology with an emphasis in psychology and social behavior from the University of California, Irvine; an MS in counseling with a specialization in student development in higher education from California State University, Long Beach; and a PhD in educational leadership in higher education from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Kristen Tarantino has over 15 years of experience in higher education, including roles in student affairs and among the faculty. These experiences have shaped her work as an educator and her perspective on student learning. She is currently an adjunct faculty member in the College Student Development and Administration program at Shepherd University where she teaches evaluation and assessment techniques.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Laura Maldonado has been a scholar–practitioner for over 15 years. Her higher education experience includes work at research universities, liberal arts colleges, and community colleges. She has worked at a community college leadership and research center and spent more than a decade working in career services reporting under student affairs, academic affairs, and advancement units.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Leah Tompkins grew up in central Kansas and received her undergraduate degree in Health Promotion from Emporia State University. She went on to earn a Master of Science in health education from Texas A&M University and a Master of Education in student personnel administration in Higher Education from UNC-Greensboro. Leah completed her Doctorate of Education in student affairs leadership at the University of Georgia in 2020.
PROJECT COORDINATOR
Leann Zink holds an MA in higher education with a student affairs concentration and a BA in human development and family science, both from Messiah College (now Messiah University). While completing her MA degree, she worked as a graduate assistant in the Career and Professional Development Center on campus where she coached over 200 undergraduate students on such topics as resume and cover letter writing, major and minor selection, interviewing and networking strategies, the internship and job search process, and professional development skills.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Leslie Webb has more than 25 years of experience as a practitioner in higher education. Leslie holds a BA from Central Washington University in theatre arts, a MS from Western Illinois University in college student personnel, and a PhD from Colorado State University. Leslie is an active contributor to the field, mentoring current and future student affairs leaders. She serves on the James E. Scott Academy Board, was a member of the inaugural Equity in Leadership Academy, and was the Regional Director for NASPA Region V.
EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR
Prior to joining Heartful Editor full time, Dr. Lindsey Katherine Dippold was a clinical assistant professor in higher and postsecondary education at Arizona State University. Dr. Dippold became passionate about student success in higher education while still an undergraduate student studying psychology at James Madison University.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Mary Smith is a higher education professional with over 15 years of experience in a variety of higher education areas including law admissions, multicultural affairs, college access, career services, fraternity and sorority life, and alumni affairs. She currently serves as associate director for employer programs and development at Old Dominion University.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Michael B. Bliss, Jr. completed his EdD in higher education administration at New England College. Mike’s dissertation explored student affairs providing student learning evidence. The study found that the assessment culture of the unit and lack of funding/expertise in assessment is directly related to the ability to provide evidence of learning.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Misti Jeffers is a postdoctoral research fellow in the PRiME Center at Saint Louis University, where her research broadly focuses on college access and success in Missouri. Misti is passionate about conducting applied research with the objective to identify policies and programs that increase equitable advancement along education and career pathways.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Natalie Oliner is a higher education and student affairs professional, currently working at the University of Louisville in the J.B. Speed School of Engineering’s Office of Student Success. Her specialties include academic counseling; retention; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and student success programming.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Pamela Cohen has more than 2 decades of experience in the field of career development and currently serves as the associate director of STEM career advising at Princeton University, guiding science and engineering students through the exploration of a broad range of professional and academic career paths.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dr. Sabrena O’Keefe is driven by a passion to help students become the best version of themselves. After holding various administrative positions in student affairs, she transitioned to full time with Heartful Editor as director of academic coaching and editing in 2020, then executive director in 2021.
FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Dr. Sara Kathleen Henry is Heartful Editor’s founder and editor-in-chief. Prior to founding Heartful Editor, Dr. Henry held administrative positions in student affairs and higher education at the University of California, San Diego, California State University (Humboldt and Sacramento), and City College of San Francisco.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Shelley Price-Williams is assistant professor of postsecondary education at the University of Northern Iowa. She holds 2 decades of experience in student and academic affairs spanning program development and management as well as academic advising, career counseling, and assessment.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Stacy Holguin (she/her) is the founder of Presidio Group Education Planning. Through 3 decades of working closely with teens and young adults, Stacy developed a passion for helping students create post high school plans to set them on the path toward a successful, self-sustaining life.
DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC WRITING
COACHING & EDITING
Dr. Susan Lantz is a faculty member in Penn State University’s graduate program in higher education and student affairs. In addition to her teaching role, Susan is a student affairs professional with 30 years of administrative experience.
DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC WRITING
COACHING & EDITING
Dr. Suzanne Baker has worked in higher education administration and student affairs since 2008 in a variety of functional areas, including residence life, international education, study abroad, admissions, academic advising, university conduct, and leadership development.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Tamara E. Jones recently earned her EdD in educational leadership with an advanced certificate in program evaluation at the University of Rochester. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English literature and a Master of Science in elementary education from Nazareth College.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Tiffany Steele is an assistant professor of higher education in the Warner School of Education and Human Development at the University of Rochester. She completed her PhD in higher education and student affairs at The Ohio State University, her masters in college student affairs leadership at Grand Valley State University, and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Vivienne Felix is a higher education administrator with experience in high school-to-college transitions, strategic planning, and experiential education. Additionally, she has taught English to speakers of other languages in both nonprofit and academic settings.
ACADEMIC WRITING COACH & EDITOR
Dr. Zach Hooten is a graduate of the PhD program in higher education and student affairs at The Ohio State University. During his time at Ohio State, Zach worked as the codirector of research for the Assessment of Collegiate Residential Environments and Outcomes (ACREO) and a research associate for the Interfaith Diversity Experiences and Attitudes Longitudinal Survey (IDEALS).
© 2023 Heartful Editor. All rights reserved.
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy