M.A. and Ph.D. Placements

Below you will find the employment and/or educational pursuits of recent graduates of our M.A. and Ph.D. programs. If there is incorrect information here or if you would like to update your listing, please contact Wendy Walsh.

2024 Graduates

  • Kimberly Cook (MA, 2024) is an Impact Marketing Adult Fiction intern with Sourcebooks LLC. 
  • Ayo Ibiyemi (MA, 2024) entered the PhD program at Marquette University
  • Jen Stanislawski (MA, 2024) is the communication specialist for the Department of Safety and Professional Services in Madison, Wisconsin.
  • Ibtisam Abujad (PhD, 2024) is an assistant professor at Harper College in Palatine, IL
  • Catherine Simmerer (PhD, 2024) is an English teacher at the Brookfield Academy in Brookfield, Wisconsin
  • Amanda Zastrow (PhD, 2024) is an Adult and Student Services Coordinator at UW-Stout.

2023 Graduates

  • Wendy Fall (PhD, 2023) is a health educator at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services
  • Peter Spaulding (PhD, 2023) is a content writer at SupplyPike and an adjunct instructor at John Brown University

2022 Graduates

  • Jackielee Derks (PhD, 2022) is the data and systems specialist in the Office of Institutional Research and Analysis at Marquette University
  • Serina Jamison (MA, 2022) is the Dean of Culture at Pathways High School and mentor for the Theo Bowman Institute for Excellence and Leadership at Alverno College in Milwaukee, WI
  • Stephen Johnson (MA, 2022) works as the Development Coordinator at Climate Generation in Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • David Kenney (PhD, 2022) has been offered the W.B. Yeats Fellowship at Notre Dame 
  • Jessie Wirkus Haynes (PhD, 2022) is an Assistant Professor of English at Bellin College in Green Bay
  • Mark Wisniewski (PhD, 2022) is a lecturer in 2022-2023 at Vanderbilt University

2021 Graduates

  • Maddie Gruber (MA, 2021) works as a technical writer for Abbott Laboratores.

2020 Graduates

  • Danielle Clapham (Ph.D., 2020) is an Assistant Professor of English and Director of the Writing Center at the University of Jamestown.
  • Hunter N. Duncan (Ph.D. 2020) is an Access Consultant at the Disability Resource Center, Purdue University.
  •  Kathryn Hendrickson (Ph.D., 2020) is an instructional consultant at the University of Michigan
  • Max Patchet (Ph.D., 2020) is an Assistant Professor of English at Sterling College.

2019 Graduates

  • Andrew Hoffmann (Ph.D., 2019) is an English instructor at Waukesha County Technical College.
  • Sareene Proodian (Ph.D., 2019) is an adjunct English instructor at California Lutheran University.
  • Anna Scanlon (Ph.D., 2019) is Director of the Writing Center at Kenyon College.
  • Jennifer Arias Sweeney (Ph.D., 2019) is Adjunct Faculty at Northwestern University in the Masters of Education Program and teaches A.P. English at Adlai E. Stevenson High School and serves as curriculum team leader.
  • Joanna Boyd-Wilhite (M.A., 2019) is a Paraprofessional Writing Tutor at Kaskaskia College, IL.
  • Catherine Brown-Robison (M.A., 2019) is a Digital Marketing Specialist at Trade Press Media Group.
  • Daniel Hunt (M.A., 2019) teaches at Nativity Preparatory School of Boston.
  • Jason Myers (M.A., 2019) teaches at St. Rafael the Archangel.
  • Elliott Neal (M.A., 2019) is a bookseller at Book Culture in NYC.

2018 Graduates


  • Fr. Sunil Macwan (Ph.D., 2018) teaches English at St. Xavier's College in Ahmedabad, India.
  • J.T. Lorino is an instructor at Gateway Technical College.
  • Tyler Monson (Ph.D., 2018) is Consortium Postdoctoral Fellow and Assistant Director of the Dartmouth Consortium of Studies in Race, Migration, and Sexuality.
  • Adrianne Wojcik (Ph.D., 2018) is an attorney for the federal government in Washington D.C. and an adjunct English instructor at North Virginia Community College.
  • Holly Burgess (M.A., 2018) entered the Ph.D. program at Marquette University.
  • Kevin Foley (M.A., 2018) is Director of Graduate Support at the Nativity Jesuit Academy in Milwaukee.
  • Erin McNulty (M.A., 2018) entered the Ph.D. program at Purdue University.
  • Peter Spaulding (M.A., 2018) entered the Ph.D. program at Marquette University.
  • Davis Wetherell (M.A., 2018) is a writer and editor for "Unlocking the Bible" in Chicago.

2017 Graduates

  • Kenneth Guay (M.A., 2017) is an Editorial Assistant at Princeton University Press.
  • Sarah Holland (M.A., 2017) is Marketing Specialist for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at George Mason University.
  • Jonathan Russell (M.A., 2017) is a Development Communications Specialist at Adler Planetarium in Chicago.
  • Patrick Mullen (M.A., 2017) entered the Ph.D. program at Queen's University, Kingston, Ont.
  • Thomas Moore (M.A., 2017) entered the Ph.D. program at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
  • Catherine Simmerer (M.A., 2017) entered the Ph.D. program at Marquette.

2016 Graduates


  • Bridget Kapler (Ph.D., 2016) is a Technical Editor at Johnson Controls.
  • Michael Keller (Ph.D., 2016) is an Assistant Professor at Columbus State Community College.
  • Katy Leedy (Ph.D., 2016) is a freelancer for a legal marketing firm and currently creating content for the employees of a large food service company.
  • Hannah Barr (M.A., 2016) is Assistant Engagement Director in University Advancement at Marquette University.
  • Emily Bryant-Mundschau (M.A., 2016) is the Academic Programs Coordinator at Marquette University.
  • Jackielee Derks (M.A. 2016) entered the Ph.D. program at Marquette.
  • Lindsay Emanuel (M.A., 2016) is an editor/proofreader at Scribendi Editing and Proofreading.
  • Jonathon Hansen (M.A., 2016) is a retail lender at Nicolet National Bank and serves as an Alderman for the De Pere City Council.
  • Braden Krien (M.A., 2016) entered the Ph.D. program at the University of Iowa.
  • Aaron Lambrecht (M.A., 2016) is a Congregational Assistant at St. John's Lutheran Church.
  • John Manley (M.A., 2016) is an adjunct instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

2015 Graduates

  • Stephen Hackbarth (Ph.D., 2015) is an Assistant Professor at Wisconsin Lutheran College.
  • Matthew Henningsen (Ph.D., 2015) is an instructor in the Program for Writing and Rhetoric at the University of Colorado - Boulder.
  • Maggie Briggs-Dineen (M.A., 2015) entered the M.S. program in Counseling at Mount Mary University.
  • Wendy Fall (M.A., 2015) entered the Ph.D. program at Marquette University.
  • Christine Gill (M.A., 2015) teaches English at Mount Mary University.
  • Eric Kennedy (M.A., 2015) entered the Ph.D. program at Louisiana State University.
  • Danielle Klein (M.A., 2015) received a Fulbright Scholarship to study in Spain.
  • Laura Linder-Scholer (M.A., 2015) is a sexual violence prevention educator at Macalaster College.
  • Alyssa McGrath (M.A., 2015) entered the Ph.D. program at Ball State University.
  • Heather Noble (M.A. 2015) earned a second B.A. in Computer Science at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and is now a Software Engineer at Blackbaud in Charleston, South Carolina.
  • Michael Stock (M.A., 2015) is adjunct faculty in the Intensive English Language Program at Carroll College in Wisconsin

2014 Graduates

  • Daniel Burke (Ph.D., 2014) is a Visiting Assistant Professor at Loyola University in Chicago. 
  • Kathleen Burt (Ph.D., 2014) is an Assistant Professor at Middle Georgia State University.
  • William Storm (Ph.D., 2014) is a Visiting Assistant Professor at Eastern University.
  • Shaunna Wilkinson (Ph.D., 2014) is an Assistant Professor at Iowa Wesleyan.
  • Ian DeJong (M.A., 2014) entered the Ph.D. program at the University of Nevada.
  • Nora Leinen (M.A., 2014) is a retention advisor at Black Hill State University.
  • Kimberly Singleton (M.A., 2014) is the Assistant Registrar at the University of Advancing Technology.
  • Sarah Thompson (M.A., 2014) entered the Ph.D. program in English at the University of South Carolina.
  • Elizabeth Wawrzyniak (M.A., 2014) works as a librarian at Marquette University

2013 Graduates

  • Carly Anger (Ph.D., 2013) is a Career Coordinator at Aspire and Adjunct Professor, Writing Center Specialist at Harper College.
  • Karen Ann Galbraith (Ph.D., 2013) is an independent marketing and web communication consultant.
  • Stephanie Stella (Ph.D., 2013) is an adjunct professor at John Cabot University. 
  • Alex Ashland (M.A., 2013) entered the Ph.D. program at the University of Iowa.
  • John Brick (M.A., 2013) entered the Ph.D. program at Marquette.
  • Vicki Browne (M.A., 2013) entered the Ph.D. program at George Washington University.
  • Robert Bruss (M.A., 2013) entered the Ph.D. program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
  • Marc Diefenderfer (M.A., 2013) entered the Ph.D. program at Purdue University.
  • Kevin Dineen (M.A., 2013) is Academic Dean at St. Thomas More High School, Milwaukee.
  • Joanna Pfahler (M.A., 2013) is a Content Marketing Specialist at MSI Data.
  • Megan Swanson (M.A., 2013) is a Business Development Manager at Pearson and MBA candidate at the University of St. Thomas.

2012 Graduates

  • Sarah Nestor Babcock (Ph.D., 2012) is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Writing at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
  • Brandon Chitwood (Ph.D., 2012) teaches at St. Paul College.
  • Rebecca Parker Fedewa (Ph.D., 2012) is an Associate Professor of English at Wisconsin Lutheran College.
  • Jarrod Hurlbert (Ph.D., 2012) received his J.D. from the University of Idaho and is Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Canyon County in Caldwell, Idaho. He has also served as adjunct faculty at Boise State University.
  • Maggie McKinley (Ph.D., 2012) is an Assistant Professor of English at William Rainey Harper College in Palatine, IL.
  • S. Vida Muse (Ph.D., 2012) is Lecturer in the Department of English and Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
  • Camilia Cenek (M.A., 2012) works in Quality Assurance at Epic in Verona, WI. 
  • Mark Kelley (M.A., 2012) received his Ph.D. in American Literature from UC-San Diego and is now an Assistant Professor in the Department of English at Florida International University
  • David Klonne (M.A., 2012) is a sales consultant at Intersect ENT.
  • Andrew Lelinski (M.A.) teaches at Marquette University High School.

2011 Graduates

  • Daniel Bergen (Ph.D., 2011) is the Senior Advisor to the President of MSOE
  • Eric Dunnum (Ph.D., 2011) is an Assistant Professor of English at Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC.
  • Kelsey Squire (Ph.D., 2011) is an Assistant Professor of English and Director of the Core at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, OH.  Kelsey was also recently elected to be President of the Reception Study Society.
  • Denna Iammarino (Ph.D., 2011) is a lecturer at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio.
  • Jamie Bolker (M.A., 2011) entered the Ph.D. program at Fordham University.
  • Laura Mullican (M.A., 2011) is teaching 8th grade English at a private school, Aquinas Academy, in Gibsonia, PA (just north of Pittsburgh). She is also coaching varsity basketball and middle school lacrosse.
  • Julie Radford (M.A., 2011) is Faculty Affairs Coordinator for the College of Nursing at Marquette University.
  • Jesse (Rickert) Wentworth (M.A., 2011) is the content manager for Animation Mentor.

2010 Graduates

  • Colleen Fenno (Ph.D., 2010) is an Assistant Professor at Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon.
  • Emily Blanchard (M.A., 2010) is a Valuations Specialist at Gordon Brothers.
  • Dawn Freese (M.A., 2010) is an Instructor of English Composition at the University of Wisconsin-Plattville.
  • Sarah Mayville (M.A., 2010) entered the Ph.D. program at UCSD.

2009 Graduates

  • Marty Brick (Ph.D., 2009) is an Assistant Professor of English at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, OH. 
  • Mary Colleen Willenbring (Ph.D., 2009) is the Department Co-Chair and an Assistant Professor of English at Eastern University in Philadelphia, PA.
  • Wesley Burdine (M.A., 2009) entered the Ph.D. program at the University of Minnesota.
  • Robin Graham (M.A., 2009) is a freelance writer and editor. She also writes personal essays for publication on her website robin-graham.com. She is also an adjunct instructor at Carroll College.
  • Kari Ann Steckbauer (M.A., 2009) is an English teacher in Racine United School District. 

2008 Graduates

  • Dana Edwards Prodoehl (Ph.D., 2008) is an Assistant Professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
  • Mark Zunac (Ph.D., 2008) is an Assistant Professor of Languages and Literatures at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
  • Marcia Eppich-Harris (Ph.D., 2008) is an Assistant Professor at Marian University in Indianapolis, IN.

2007 Graduates

  • Katherine Hanson (Ph.D., 2007) teaches at Rochester Community and Technical College.
  • Jacob Stratmann (Ph.D., 2007) is an Associate Professor of English and Head of the English and Language Studies departments at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.
  • Brian Gogan (M.A., 2007) is an Assistant Professor of English in Rhetoric and Writing Studies at Western Michigan University.

2006 Graduates

  • Matthew Darling (Ph.D., 2006) is an Assistant Professor of English at Gannon University in Eric, PA.
  • Catherine Kalish (Ph.D., 2006) is an Assistant Professor of English at University of Wisconsin – Marshfield/Wood County.
  • Jennifer Heinert (Ph.D., 2006) is Director, Virtual Teaching and Learning Center, UW Colleges.
  • Jason Nado (Ph.D., 2006) teaches at Blackhawk Technical College.
  • Susan Stafinbil (Ph.D., 2006) is a full-time lecturer at California State University-Bakersfield.
  • Wendy Weaver (Ph.D., 2006) is an Assistant Professor of English at Mount Mary College in Milwaukee.
  • James Law (M.A., 2006) is working as a law clerk for Chief Judge William C. Griesbach for the United States District Court of Eastern Wisconsin. In September 2013 he will begin working as an associate attorney for the Milwaukee-area firm, Reinhart Boerner Van Dueren.

2005 Graduates

  • Karl Boehler (Ph.D., 2005) is the director of First-Year English and Senior Lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
  • Amy Branam (Ph.D., 2005) is a professor of English at Frostburg State University and president of the Poe Studies Association.
  • William Carroll (Ph.D., 2005) is an Assistant Professor at Abilene Christian University.
  • Debra Ripley (Ph.D., 2005) is Chair of Art History and Sciences at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design.

2004 Graduates

  • Colin Marlaire (Ph.D., 2004) is the Executive Director at Northcentral University.
  • Cynthia Calhoun (M.A., 2004) is an English and Theatre Teacher at Maricopa High School.

2002 Graduates

  • Shannon Forbes (Ph.D., 2002) is an Assistant Professor of English at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX.
  • Colin Irvine (Ph.D., 2002) is VP of Academic Affairs and Dean of Carroll College, Helena, Montana
  • Jason R. Pilmaier (M.A., 2002) is an attorney at the law firm of Howard, Solochek & Weber, S.C. in Milwaukee, WI.