Ohio Wesleyan University | Sagan Academic Resource Center

About OWU

Meet Our Staff

THE FACULTY AND STAFF of the Sagan Academic Resource Center would be happy to meet with you and answer your questions about our services.

Mrs. Donna Dawson, Sagan ARC & Quantitative Skills Center Director, PT Mathematics Instructor 740-368-3929

Donna Dawson

Donna Dawson has been director of Ohio Wesleyan’s Sagan Academic Resource Center (ARC) since the fall of 2000. In this capacity, she coordinates ARC activities, including marketing the center, promoting tutoring services offered by academic departments, conducting training for tutors, acting as a Supplemental Instruction Supervisor, and directing OWU’s Quantitative Skills Center. She also is a part-time instructor in the Mathematics and Computer Science Department. Prior to her work in learning center administration, she was a mathematics educator in both secondary and post-secondary schools, and was involved with advanced placement and vertical teaming for the College Board. She received her B.S. in Education from Ashland University, her M.A.T. in Mathematics from Miami University, and certification in secondary guidance counseling from Xavier University. She holds membership in the ATP, CRLA, and NCLCA.

Mrs. Sheryl Groff, Sagan ARC Secretary 740-368-3925

Cheryl Goff

Cheryl Groff served as interim Administrative Assistant to the Vice President for Strategic Communication and University Enrollment in 2004. In 2005, Cheryl joined the Registrar’s Office as the Secretary to the Registrar. Her responsibilities included the processing of official transcripts and enrollment verification requests, supervising student workers, and assisting with registration as well as interacting with a wide variety of people. Since 2008, Cheryl has been the Administrative Assistant for the Sagan Academic Resource Center. She performs a wide range of duties supporting seven professional staff members. Some of her responsibilities include scheduling appointments, supervising student workers, directing calls, and guiding visitors to the appropriate individuals and offices. Cheryl works with prospective students and families. She especially enjoys interacting with students on a daily basis. She is also glad to be near her son Grant, who is a freshman at Ohio Wesleyan this year.

Dr. James Stull, Writing Center Director, English Faculty 740-368-3928

James Stull

Professor James Stull serves as director of the Ohio Wesleyan University Writing Center. He earned his PhD in American Studies from the University of Iowa. He teaches English 105, the Freshman Writing Seminar, and English 310, Writing for the Workplace. Professor Stull’s publications include a book on New Journalism titled Literary Selves: Autobiography and Contemporary Nonfiction. His academic interests include writing theory and pedagogy, literary nonfiction, advertising, and popular culture.

Ms. Martine Stephens, Writing Center Assistant Director, English Faculty 740-368-3926

Martine Stephens

Martine Stephens is Assistant Writing Center Director and Continuing Part-time Associate Professor in the English Department. Professor Stephens completed her graduate studies in English at the Ohio State University. Her academic interests include composition theory and instruction, playwriting, short fiction, personal narrative, and folklore. She has co-authored a folklore textbook titled Living Folklore: An Introduction to the Study of People and Their Traditions, and has written several plays and short stories. She teaches the Freshman Writing Seminar and College Success Skills.

Ms. Emily Lugg, Writing Tutor 740-368-3930

Emily Lugg

Emily Lugg has a degree in English with a concentration in Creative Writing from Wittenberg University. She worked for Abbott Nutrition for five years prior to coming to Ohio Wesleyan doing consumer research and writing scientific reports that assisted in the company’s product development. She is currently writing freelance articles for a web development company in addition to tutoring in the Writing Center. She is also presently working on her Master of Arts degree in Liberal Studies. Her academic interests include journalism, short fiction and contemporary American Literature.

Mrs. Georgeann Stinemetz, Writing Tutor 740-368-3927

Georgeann Stinemetz

Georgeann Stinemetz received her B.A. in History from Miami of Ohio and her M.A. in History from The Ohio State University. She completed graduate work in accounting and worked as an accountant before returning to teaching at a private preparatory school in Memphis, TN. At OWU, Annie has taught sections of History 114 (Modern America) and is currently a tutor for the Writing Center.

Dr. Lydia Block, Learning Resources and Faculty Development Director 740-368-3857

Lydia Block

Dr. Lydia Block is the Director of Learning Resources and Faculty Development in the Sagan Academic Resource Center. She received her Doctorate in Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Development from the Ohio State University in 1992. In her role at OWU, she works with students with disabilities, as well as other students who are interested in learning new strategies or refining learning strategies that are not working well. She also works with faculty members to organize professional development opportunities. Before coming to OWU in 2006, Lydia was the Director of the Learning Disabilities Program at The Ohio State University from 1981-1996. From 1996 until she came to OWU, she worked with faculty members across the country as part of several federal grants to improve teaching on college campuses. Dr. Block has published numerous articles on learning disabilities topics. She has been an invited speaker at national onferences and on college campuses.

Dr. Richard Leavy, Academic Skills Center Director, Psychology Faculty/Dept. Chair
740-368-3817

Richard Leavy

Richard Leavy is the Director of the Academic Skills Center. Dr. Leavy received his Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts/Amherst in clinical psychology and has been a faculty member in Ohio Wesleyan's Psychology Department since 1980. In 1996, he developed the idea of the Academic Skills Center and has been its director ever since. Among his scholarly interests are stress, alcohol problems, and people's motivations to seek changes in their behavior. He teaches courses on abnormal psychology, organizational behavior, and the prevention of psychological conditions.

Student Interns for Academic Skills Center

Stacy Snow/ Sarah Marous
740-368-3280