The Article below was published in Vol. 136, Issue 8 of the Lake Forest College Stentor on April 30, 2021.
By Jovana Jovanovska ’23
Staff Writer
Kate Oakley is the Director of the Writing Center at Lake Forest College. Oakley has worked at the College since 2014. This is Oakley’s last semester at the College, as she has decided to move closer to her family in Birmingham, Alabama. She is originally from Boscobel, located in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin. Stentor staff spoke with Oakley ahead of her departure.
Stentor: Where did you study and what was your major? How did you decide on your major?
Oakley: Here at Lake Forest College, I double-majored in English (nonfiction writing track) and American studies. When I applied, I wrote essays about improving the world as an environmental science major, but I quickly realized that stories—both those that I read and those that I wrote—interested me much more and fit my skills, too. So, I guess I decided by trying different classes and noticing which left me feeling happy and curious and which motivated me to do my best. I then attended graduate school at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, where I earned an MA in writing, literature, and publishing. I chose that program because my first reaction to every class description I read was, “Ooh, that sounds interesting.”
Stentor: What motivates you about what you do in your job?
Oakley: Helping the tutors, our clients, and my students motivate me. Sometimes, if I am feeling tired in the morning, I think, “Get up! So-and-so needs your help today!” This past year, during all the pandemic stress, helping the Writing Center tutors and clients stay engaged kept me focused and optimistic. The way our team and our school met the challenge of going remote inspired me to work through the events of 2020. I wanted to contribute ideas and positive energy like the incredible students I was working with.
Stentor: How do you handle stress and pressure?
Oakley: When I am under stress, I try not to judge myself for feeling stressed, I exercise outside, and I read books to relax. When I am under pressure, I repeat the saying “one thing at a time” and choose colorful pens for my to-do list.
Stentor: Tell me about an accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career.
Oakley: One accomplishment that I am proud of is developing an academic English tutorial for multilingual students. The class brings together my background in teaching ESL, my knowledge of first-year writing development, and my understanding of the role a peer tutor can play in helping others improve their own writing. In short, this tutorial brings together all of my professional skills in a new, exciting way that I am hopeful helps many students now and in the future.
Stentor: What’s something you’re most looking forward to once the pandemic is over?
Oakley: I cannot wait to eat at a restaurant without masks or social distancing or time limits. The ambient sounds of restaurants relax me!
Stentor: If you had a million dollars, what would you do? Why?
Oakley: I would travel. I have always found other places and people from other places fascinating. There is always something meaningful to learn about the world and yourself when you travel. Studying abroad in college, living with roommates from Japan and Spain, and teaching ESL at a school for international students have been experiences I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Stentor: What is one piece of advice you have for students to improve their writing?
Oakley: One?! I am the Writing Center Director! I have, like, forty! Ok, here are two: 1) Plan what you are going to write. Research shows that writers who plan what they are going to write, even if it’s just a list of ideas in their heads, earn better grades on papers, and 2) Avoid the words “make,” “get,” and “do” in academic essays. Without these broad verbs, your academic tone will immediately improve.
