Alumni Spotlight

With a solid foundation from Valpo, English graduates illuminate the world with their talents. Our alumni have published novels, shaped marketing strategies, and guided corporate communications. No matter your path, Valpo’s English programs ensure you are equipped to make your mark.

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Your opportunities are endless with the versatile skills gained with an English degree from Valpo. See where some of our recent alumni have gone on to shine:

Valpo English Alumni

• Cori Laatsch ’24, professional writing major, associate copyeditor at Concordia Publishing House, Missouri
• Leah Gatchel ’22, creative writing major, law student at Michigan State University, Michigan
• Zoe Fischer ’20, psychology and professional writing major, pediatric behavioral health coordinator and community outreach specialist, Purdue University Northwest, Indiana
• Jesse Hershberger ’20, English, political science, and Spanish major, vicar at Grace Lutheran Church, Iowa
• Demi Marshall ’20, English major, assistant librarian at Lake County Public Library, Indiana
• Emily Mrzlak ’19 Lacey, English major, Advanced Placement (AP) research teacher and tutoring center coordinator for D300 Schools, Illinois
• Jackson Spanburg ’19, English major, English language arts teacher at Wilbur Wright Middle School, Indiana
• David Vogl ’19, physics and creative writing major, data engineer at Mutually Human, Michigan
• Maria Bruno ’17, creative writing major, marketing associate at Elgin Sweeper, Illinois
• Abby Accettura ’16, English major, senior learning specialist at Shedd Aquarium, Illinois
• Kristen Menke ’13 Barden, English major, teacher at New Prairie High School, Indiana
• Stephanie Sepiol Milne ’13, M.A., creative writing and digital media major, assistant to the dean of Christ College – The Honors College at Valparaiso University, Indiana
• Cassandra Gronendyke ’13, English major, director of scholarships and institutional aid at Tennessee Tech University, Tennessee
• Laura Ehlen ’12 Norris, English major, owner of Laura Norris Running and co-host of Tread Lightly Podcast, Colorado
• Eli Seitz ’12, English major, senior pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Ohio
• Riley Brewer ’11, English major, English teacher at Brookfield East High School, Wisconsin
• Amelia Boggess ’11 Hessling, English major, senior customer manager at Burlington English Inc., Florida
• Andrew McSorley ’07, creative writing major, graduate instructor and P.h.D. student at University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippi
• Tracy Monson ’07, English major, chief growth officer at Onbe, Illinois
• Megan Murphy ’07 Mertz, English and art major, chief copy editor and managing editor of Lutherans Engage the World Magazine at the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, Missouri
• Kimberly Jana ’05 MALS Tomkiewicz, M.A., master of science in information technology (MSIT) program coordinator at Valparaiso University, Indiana