Ellen’s early research was on modernized versions of biblical myths, which led her to earn an MPhil from Scotland’s oldest university, the University of St Andrews, founded in a seaside village. She eventually focused her attentions on writing pedagogy and the politicized rhetorics of popular Christian texts.

Her methodological approach is interdisciplinary and uses rhetorical, Marxist and feminist theories. Ellen’s teaching career has spanned from basic writing instruction to advanced composition and literary studies. In her quest to improve student outcomes and engagement, she discovered a love for program development that brought her to Quest as the Rhetoric Across the Curriculum Coordinator and Co-Director of the Learning Commons. She enjoys helping students and faculty achieve the innovative, interdisciplinary goals of the university.

At home, Ellen’s family speaks German and English, and the children’s greatest joy as bilingual speakers is to correct her German grammar and Southern-accented pronunciation.