Amy Adams, MA English Literature, Texas State University 

Amy has been teaching Rhetoric and Composition at St. Edward's University since 2005. She has also taught a Freshman Seminar class, Film as Text, in the Popular Culture Learning Community since 2018, as well as working as a tutor in the St. Ed's Writing Center. 

"My teaching philosophy is that learning is fun, and that writing is all about understanding your purpose and audience."

She loves to work with students at any stage in the writing process: "I can show you that you are already a master of your own writing."

Gina Cross, MLA Liberal Arts

Gina has taught Writing and Rhetoric at St. Edward’s since 2006. She also teaches a Freshman Seminar with a focus on college student mental health. 

Working one-on-one with students in the Writing Center is one of her favorite activities: "I strive to help students feel comfortable,  so don't worry if you are nervous about visiting the Writing Center for the first time." 

She has an affinity for MLA and research papers related to literature or psychology. "I focus on helping students write papers that are rhetorically effective for their genre, purpose, and audience." 

Jeffery Downs, Writing Center Director 

MA Rhetoric and Composition, Texas State University

Prof. Downs came to the Hill as an adjunct instructor, teaching WRIT 1301 and 2302. He still teaches and looks forward to every new class.

He enjoys the connections the Writing Center allows him to make across campus, from students to faculty, and even alumni.

"There is no such thing as 'good writing.' There is effective writing, and that means collaboration. We help make better writers, not just better writing, through collaboration, not instruction."

Renée Pinchero

MA, Education (Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum Development), University of Toronto (OISE), Canada

Certified Literacy Specialist & EFL/ESL Instructor 

Since 2006, Renée has taught international students, Writing and Rhetoric I and II, classes in the Women and Gender Studies minor program, and FSEM.

“I really enjoy working one on one with students in the Writing Center and helping student writers who feel stuck or who just need a way into their writing project!!”

Outside of St. Ed’s, Renée works with neurodivergent students as a writing/literacy therapist. Renée brings this experience to the Writing Center to support students who are autistic or have dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, and/or language processing challenges.