Professional Staff
Michelle Hager
Director
Michelle Hager is the Writing Center Director, and she has extensive experience in
writing instruction and writing center administration. She is also a 91ÁÔÆæ alum, having
earned her B.A. in English (with a Certificate in Professional and Technical Writing)
and M.A. in English.
During her 12 years of teaching in higher education (2006-2018), Michelle taught classes
in the Department of English and Comparative Literature, ranging from Editing for
Writers to Young Adult Literature. Prior to becoming the Writing Center Director in
July 2013, she served for four years as the Writing Center Associate Director.
She has worked with the Writing Across the Curriculum director to create the course-embedded
writing tutors program at 91ÁÔÆæ. She has also presented at numerous national and regional
conferences, including the Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC).
In 2021, she completed the intensive summer institute through the International Writing
Centers Association (IWCA).
Michelle sits on multiple committees--both at the university and within her professional
organizations. She was also the program chair for the 2019 Northern California Writing
Centers Association (NCWCA) Conference, which was hosted at 91ÁÔÆæ.
Phone: 408-924-2249
Email: michelle.hager@sjsu.edu
Amy Russo
Coordinator of Multilingual Writing Support Services
Amy Russo is the Coordinator for Multilingual Writing Support Services, conducting
trainings and creating resources on academic communication, writing, and reading for
students, tutors, and faculty. She holds a BA in European Studies from Hendrix College,
an MA in Library and Information Science (MLIS) from Louisiana State University, and
an MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the Middlebury
Institute of International Studies (MIIS) at Monterey.
Before joining 91ÁÔÆæ, Amy taught English in Japan for five years through the Japanese
Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. She continues to support the JET Program by training
new participants departing from San Francisco each summer. Additionally, Amy worked
as a tutor in a Graduate Writing Center for two years.
At 91ÁÔÆæ, Amy co-chairs the International Student Success Committee and served as the
Presentation Coach and co-manager for the 91ÁÔÆæ Grad Slam Research Communication Competition
from 2019 to 2024. She has presented at numerous regional and national academic conferences,
including the national TESOL conference. In 2019, Amy helped Director Michelle Hager
host the Northern California Writing Centers Association (NCWCA) Conference at 91ÁÔÆæ.
Amy aims to promote lifelong learning that is positive, flexible, and meaningful for
students through innovative content creation, strategic learning initiatives, and
collaborative partnerships across the academic community.
Phone: 408-808-2101
Email: amy.russo@sjsu.edu
Seher Vora
Coordinator of Online Writing Support Services
Seher Vora is the Coordinator for Online Writing Support Services. She provides training
and resources for students, faculty, and Writing Center employees, and oversees the
Writing Center's social platforms, including the official blog, "The Write Attitude."
She holds a BA in International Studies and Linguistics from UC Irvine, an MA in International
Relations from Tufts University, and an MFA in Creative Writing from San José State
University.
Seher is passionate about helping students develop a well-rounded approach to writing
through a multimodal exploration of writing styles and techniques, informed by diversity,
empathy, and digital literacy.
Phone: 408-924-2351
Email: seher.vora@sjsu.edu
Former Writing Center Director and Faculty-in-Residence
- Dr. Linda C. Mitchell (Director, 2007-2013)
- Maria Judnick (2016-2021)
- Heidi Livingston Eisips (spring 2019)
- Shannon Bane (2016-2017)
- Gloria Collins (2008-2016)
- Debra Caires (2014-2016)
- Jessy Goodman (2015-2016)
- Cindy Baer (2013-2015)
- Martin Leach (2012-2013)
- Jan Hagemann (2007-2012)
- Sabine Rech (2007-2008)
- Andrew Fleck (fall 2008)
- Jim Lobdell (spring 2007)
- Nancie Fimbel (spring 2007)