Director

Dr. Rick Cypert serves as director of the Cooper Center and teaches in the English Department. His specialty is language theory, which includes a whole series of topics: history of the language, composition theory, linguistics, history of rhetoric and rhetorical theory. In addition, he serves as the custodian of what he calls NWU's Hellenic Cultural Center; his office -- Old Main 117 -- is full of posters, artwork, slides and books on ancient and modern Greece. From time to time he sponsors trips (for academic credit) to Greece.

Assistant Director

Professor Carolyn Nolte serves as the assistant director of the Cooper Center, supervising the center's student consultants and  supplemental instruction program. She is a Visiting Professor of English in the English Department and for the Wesleyan Advantage program. Her specialty is Great Plains Literature, and she holds the Nebraska Teacher’s Certificate in English. In addition, she serves as the sponsor for Sigma Tau Delta (NWU’s International English Honorary). Her office is OM 110.

Academic Achievment Specialist

Kim Jacobson serves as the Academic Achievement Specialist for the campus. Kim's office is located around the corner from the Cooper Center in Room 304 of Cochrane-Woods. Kim oversees the Student Success Program, which provides intensive academic support for students who are referred through the Student Support System, as well as those who seek extra learning assistance. She works closely with the Cooper Center in designing assistance plans to help these students. She is also available to assist the Cooper Center consultants with study skills related questions as part of the Study Skills Workshop.

Consultants

Juan Luis Alvarez is an international student from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, studying Psychology. Luis works at the Cooper Center as a language consultant and is ready and able to help you with your Spanish compositions.

Jordan Klimek is a sophomore with a major that is still undeclared, although he is following a science track. He aspires to attend medical school after he graduates from Wesleyan. He is originally from Burwell, NE, and enjoys returning home periodically to visit friends and family. He enjoys running, swimming, playing basketball, reading, and studying on the second floor of the library. His main pet peeve by far is the torture of having to hear senseless chatter on the aforementioned second (quiet) floor of the library.

Alex “Lewandowski” is a Philosophy and Religious studies double major living in Lincoln, NE. It has been noticed that Alex enjoys ending his day with a relaxing shower or, perhaps, some crime fighting. More often than not, when in his natural environment, Alex tends to show illusions of grandeur, referring to himself as a college student and even going so far as to claim that he is privy to information concerning the paper writing process and general library reference questions. Zoology textbooks agree that when approaching Alex, it is best to bring either tea and/or fruit snacks, as such offerings will immediately cement you as a friendly figure in his primitive, highly susceptible mind.

Taryn McDowell is a junior Communication Studies major and Public Relations and Spanish minor; although, after studying Spanish in Alicante, Spain this past summer, she is seriously considering becoming a Spanish major and studying abroad in Costa Rica next fall. Writing speeches and giving presentations are her specialty, and she is dedicated to improving your communication skills as well eliminating any of your presentation-giving apprehensions. In addition to working at the Cooper Center, she is a member of the Wesleyan Communication Association, Society of Scholars, and Women’s Choir. Furthermore, she is a Wesleyan Admissions Ambassador and is currently co-instructing an LAS class with Communication professor Dr. Rachel Droogsma. In her spare time, she enjoys reading Harry Potter and Twilight (yes, she openly admits that she is a bit nerdy), watching That 70’s Show and Criminal Minds, shopping, participating in intramural sports, and spending time with friends and family. 

Natalie Micale, a sophomore, is a BFA Acting major who has always been passionate about English and writing.  Most of the time, you will find Natalie in the theatre at NWU working on a monologue or practicing a dance for some type of show, or you may spot her in the library studying.  Natalie also loves to work out at the Weary and take walks outside when the weather is beautiful.  Since Natalie is imaginative and creative, she is most excited to help any who come to her with fiction or nonfiction writing.  Natalie looks forward to helping you with all of your writing needs.

Ross Mumford is a sophomore pursuing a Vocal Music Education major. However, when not vocalizing, he can be found roaming the campus with friends, working out at the Weary Center, or taking the occasional nap. Having grown up in the small town of Elmwood, he thoroughly enjoys being friendly and getting to know everyone. Two of his most favorite pastimes are keeping a positive attitude and a smile on his face. He is very excited about working at the Cooper Center, for he's always ready to encourage and help everyone's writing and speaking skills.

Melissa Nielson is a senior history major and philosophy minor.  This is her third and final semester working in the Cooper Center.  She especially enjoys working with international students on grammar and wording, demonstrating research skills, assisting with topic selection by exploring student interests, and tackling the organizational challenges of research papers.  She is fluent in the Turabian and MLA styles, with APA not far behind.  Melissa is co-instructing an LAS class this Fall, anticipates teaching at a community college after graduation, and would love to answer any questions you may have about research, writing, or studies in general.

Samantha (Sam) Peters is a Senior Vocal Music Education major, who dabbles in the art of writing and all things humorous. I do many things on campus, including NSR/NSO, Greek Life, and just about every organization in the music building. As a third year Cooper Center Consultant, I look forward to new challenges, new faces, and a new way of approaching the writing game. I'm always willing to answer any questions and help when I can. I look forward to working alongside all of you!

Kyle Rohrich is a junior Political Science and Spanish major with an International Affairs minor.  Hailing from Pierce, Nebraska, Kyle is a political junkie who has just returned from a semester of study abroad in Pamplona, Spain (where he did NOT run with the bulls).  Kyle is involved with the chamber choir on campus and is a member of the student senate. Every ounce of his free time is spent playing tennis with friends. Even though he is glad to be back in Nebraska, he still tries to schedule a daily siesta. He looks forward to helping students with their writing and speaking skills in Spanish.

Zenaida Smith is a sophomore Theatre Arts major at NWU. She was active in competitive speech through high school, which landed her a position as a speech assistant for her high school. She has experience in writing speeches, assisting students with speech presentations, and in composition. She has also been a judge at speech competitions. Along with her written and oral skills, Zenaida is also a wiz at APA, MLA, and Chicago formatting.

Shannon Wietjes is a senior Communication major.  She also has interests in Public Relations, Marketing and Political Science, and finds herself gravitating to those classes.  Advocating for agriculture is one of her favorite pastimes; if you ever want to discuss the industry she’s the one to turn to!  Shannon has competed in speech contests throughout her life and now finds herself helping her friends brainstorm ideas, edit and practice their speeches and other assignments. She is looking forward to helping students with research papers and speeches (GO Communication)!
 

Megan Wohlers is a sophomore majoring in Biology and minoring in Chemistry. She enjoys singing, playing piano, being with friends, watching movies, and especially napping. She is from Cary, North Carolina where she loves to hike mountains and go to the beach. Even though she is from the south, she promises not to put any "y'alls" in your paper.