Meet our Writing Central Coaches
Our coaches are eager to help you with all of your writing questions. We’re here to guide you on this journey. Our goal is to help you become a more confident and effective writer.
Conall Anderson
Conall is a senior majoring in public relations and political science with a minor in Spanish. He hopes to work in political communications for campaigns or elected officials in the future. In his free time, he likes to listen to music (hip hop), watch TV shows (just finished and recommend Money Heist), and watch football (Minnesota Vikings). He has taken all of the journalism pre-major and core classes, along with Media Ethics (J397).
Laura Steinman
Laura is a senior majoring in public relations and indigenous, race and ethnic studies (IRES). She plans to go into the public relations field after graduating. Laura has a passion for writing creatively as well as professionally. In her free time, she does photography for K.Aire, UO’s K-pop dance cover group. Laura has taken Gateway to Media, Principles of Public Relations, Writing for Communicators; Strategic Writing and Media Relations; Gender, Media and Diversity; and Media Ethics.
Madeline Ryan
Maddie is a senior journalism and public relations major with a minor in political science. She has a bad habit of collecting more notebooks than she has the focus to fill. Maddie works as a student journalist for the College of Education in addition to coaching at Writing Central — and enjoys perfecting the art of the at-home vanilla latte in order to accomplish both. She aspires to fill as many notebooks as possible while writing professionally and creatively. (PSA: Please ask her for journal and pen brand recommendations.) Some of Maddie’s favorite J classes are Writing for Communicators, Fact or Fiction, Reporting 1, Principles of Public Relations, Communication Law, and OR Magazine.
Chrissy Booker
Chrissy is a senior at the UO studying journalism and ethnic studies. She loves to read (especially a good romance novel) and write poetry. She also enjoys fashion, art and theater. This past year she started a magazine called Labyrinth for students of color on campus. She is passionate about writing because it allows her to express herself freely through words. She hopes to write a novel of her own one day. Some of her favorite SOJC classes have been Reporting 1, Communication Law and Feature Writing 1.
Jillian Gray
Jillian is a sophomore majoring in public relations. Outside of Writing Central, she enjoys working on the executive board of the UO Public Relations Student Society of America and encourages everyone to stop by a meeting. She is usually spotted in her favorite study spot, the coffee shop in Knight Library, or under a blanket rewatching Gilmore Girls. Jill’s favorite SOJC class has been the Principles of Public Relations (J350).
Maris Toalson
Maris is a junior studying journalism, political science, and science communication. In addition to her position at Writing Central, Maris works as an associate editor at Ethos Magazine. She is a member of UO Alpine and enjoys skiing, rock climbing, and spending time outside. If she’s not at the mountain or in Allen Hall, you can find her attending a concert, exploring a thrift store, or reading a good book with an equally good cup of coffee.
Philip Chan
Phil is a senior majoring in media studies and WGS studies. This is their second year as a writing coach. In their off-hours, you might catch them drafting poetry for the Kidd Workshops, pressing flowers, or exploring Eugene’s cuisine. Their favorite SOJC classes are Gateway, Intro to Media Studies, and Gender, Media, & Diversity.
Chloe Montague
Chloe is a junior studying advertising and multimedia design. She loves reading (coffee within reach), running, and going on long bike rides. This is her second year as a writing coach. Outside of being a writing coach, she’s also an art director for Allen Hall Ad and design director for Envision Magazine. Some of her favorite j-school classes have been Creative Strategy and SOJC Track Bureau!
Anna Mueller
Anna is a senior majoring in public relations and minoring in legal studies and ethics. In her free time, she can be found reading, listening to Taylor Swift, or going on very long walks around Eugene. She has taken all required SOJC courses and her favorites have been Principles of Public Relations (J350) Communication Law (J385). After graduation, Anna hopes to attend law school. She is also the president of UO PRSSA and is enrolled in the SOJC Honors program.
Jessica Graber
Jessica is a junior majoring in journalism and double minoring in creative writing and comparative literature. She’s an avid reader and writer, constantly pouring ideas onto paper and is never without a book. Her favorite SOJC class so far is Writing for Communicators. In the future, her goal is to create a bestselling fiction series.
Emma J Nelson
Emma J is a sophomore journalism major with a minor in creative writing, so reading and writing is basically all she does. They are currently the opinion editor for the Daily Emerald on top of coaching at Writing Central. When she first told her parents that she was going to be the opinion editor for her high school publication, they laughed at how fitting that was for their headstrong daughter. As a grammar nerd, Emma J’s favorite journalism class thus far has been Grammar for Communicators. If you are also a grammar nerd, they would recommend you read “Shady Characters” by Keith Houston.