New program staff are an investment in excellence
Five new professional staff are helping meet the needs of disciplinary programs in the ASU Department of English.
Amidst explosive growth in the university at-large as well as within the department itself, English made an investment in personnel. All program areas—creative writing; English education; film and media studies; linguistics and applied linguistics/TESOL; literature; and writing, rhetorics and literacies—now have their own highly skilled administrative staff. These new department members assist faculty directors with the complexities of curriculum development, class scheduling, events and enrichment, student recruitment, and more.
With backgrounds as varied and diverse as the university itself, each new employee brings individual interests, energy, and skills. Musical theatre professional? Check. Recent biological sciences grad? Check. Member of a rowing team? Software engineer from Baghdad, Iraq? Self-professed Shakespeare nerd, “solid Stratfordian”? Check, check, check.
We sat down with each of them to find out a little bit more about their metaphorical and literal journeys to ASU English.
Kendra Bloodworth: Program Coordinator, Writing Programs / Writing, Rhetorics and Literacies
What is your educational background (degrees/schools), where did you grow up, and how did you arrive at ASU?
KB: I hold a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences. I grew up in Tucson Arizona, where I always thought I would end up being a Wildcat, but ended up at ASU because I was given a really great scholarship opportunity.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of work/school?
KB: I am a very avid coffee drinker and one of my hobbies is to find all the local coffee shops and try them with friends. I also enjoy being outside (when the weather is nicer of course) and taking my dogs to the dog park or on walks.
Is there anything else about yourself that you’d like to share?
KB: I am currently in the process of learning Spanish, as it is the only language spoken in the household I’m in. I would welcome anyone willing to teach/practice with me!
Mary Beth Hollmann: Program Manager, Literature
What is your educational background (degrees/schools), where did you grow up, and how did you arrive at ASU?
MH: I have a BA in English from the College of Saint Rose, with minors in drama and women's studies. (This is Mary Daly’s alma mater—and Jimmy Fallon's as well.) I have my MA in English from Northern Arizona University and a graduate certificate in technical communications from ASU.
I spent part of my life in Arizona, living in six of its cities, and part of my life in upstate New York (Coxsackie, for which a virus is named; Athens, where Meryl Streep died in Ironweed; and Colonie, a suburb of Albany). After spending nine years in North Carolina, we returned to Arizona because my husband got a job at the W.P. Carey School of Business (he's an ASU alum).
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned in the Department of English?
MH: It's really quiet in the summer—I'm looking forward to the start of the semester!
What are your hobbies/interests outside of work?
MH: I advocate for mental health issues and am passionate about education in the prison system, about literacy, and about lifelong learning
I am a Shakespeare NERD (solid Stratfordian—don't get me started about the movie Anonymous!), and love to dwell in the realms of English history and the Renaissance. I love theatre and have been doing community theatre for many years; most recently playing Jack's Mom in Desert Stages' production of Into The Woods. My fave roles have been Sister Regina in Nunsense, Violet in 9 to 5, Ouiser in Steel Magnolias, and Gertrude in Hamlet. I LOVE to read—anything—but I gravitate toward short stories, fiction, and, of course, anything Shakespeare.
Is there anything else about yourself that you’d like to share?
MH: I am so proud to be mom of a son, Drew; daughter, Elizabeth; and YaYa to Mia, Myles and Reagan. I've been married three times to my husband (with no divorce): once at Shakespeare's grave with "Shakespeare" officiating.
I have two rescue dogs—Ginny (a Jackshund) and Shakespeare (a Rat Terrier)—"the girls." I LOVE to bake; watch the break room for my banana bread!!!
LaMonte Key: Program Manager, Linguistics and Applied Linguistics / TESOL
What is your educational background (degrees/schools), where did you grow up, and how did you arrive at ASU?
LK: I grew up in San Antonio, TX. I moved to Arizona after teaching abroad in Guatemala and found my way to ASU after years working in higher education. My undergraduate degree is in English, with a minor in linguistics and an endorsement in ESL from the University of Texas, San Antonio. I have a master’s degree in adult distance learning from the University of Phoenix.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned in the Department of English?
LK: It surprised me that the building [Ross-Blakley Hall] was formerly the ASU law library, named after two ASU graduates from the College of Law.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of work?
LK: Athletics. I’m on the Rio Salado Rowing Team. I also bike, hike, and rock climb.
Is there anything else about yourself that you’d like to share?
LK: I am passionate about volunteering and have recently accepted the position of vice president for a local non-profit, Dsquared Homes for the Homeless.
Mustafa Khaleel: Program Manager, English Education
What is your educational background (degrees/schools), where did you grow up, and how did you arrive at ASU?
MK: I graduated in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in software engineering from the University of Baghdad. Upon my arrival to the United States at the end of 2012, I started English courses at Maricopa Community College in Arizona. I completed some prerequisite courses to transfer to Grand Canyon University where I received my master’s degree in organizational leadership/MBA.
I grew up in Baghdad, Iraq until 2012 when I moved to the United States. While taking some courses at a community college, I started volunteering at the enrollment services to assist students who are applying for college. From day one of working in education, I knew this was the career I wanted to build.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned in the Department of English?
MK: The Department of English is very student-centric; it provides many events to make students, faculty, and staff engaged. It also helps students in the learning process by increasing their attention to attend very beneficial workshops, speakers, and public events.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of work?
MK: Outside work I like to spend quality time with my family. I also like to assist with some home projects. I work out daily, cook and learn new recipes, and travel a few times a year.
Is there anything else about yourself that you’d like to share?
MK: I am a people person. I'm generally good with people, I enjoy meeting new people, and people seem to generally like me. I make friends very quickly and I like to have a conversation about any topic they are interested in. This is my way to learn from others.
Suzanne Wachman: Program Manager, Film and Media Studies
What is your educational background (degrees/schools), where did you grow up, and how did you arrive at ASU?
SW: I grew up in Orange County, California. I completed two years of film studies education at UC Santa Barbara before transferring to the University of California, Irvine to study musical theater and ultimately receive a BA in film and media studies. Post-graduation I worked for UCI’s film program as their undergraduate coordinator and then moved over to Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman University as the film division representative/academic coordinator.
I lived in Nashville, Tennessee for a year-and-a-half and worked in the vice president of development’s office at Vanderbilt University before ending up back in California at Cal State Long Beach, first as the assistant to the AVP of facilities and then as an event coordinator in the vice president’s office. My entire family (minus my brother) moved to Chandler, Arizona in 2020. I was scouting job openings at ASU and when the film and media studies program manager opportunity presented itself, I applied immediately.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned in the Department of English?
SW: It’s been great getting to know the faculty and staff, their interests, and the ways their areas of study/experience help foster the growth of the ASU community. English is always looking for ways to involve students either in person or via Zoom. They are always supportive of events that assist students not just during their time here but after graduation as well. It’s refreshing to work in that type of environment because that’s not always the case.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of work?
SW: I started as a musical theater performer at age five and professionally worked as a singer, dancer, and actor as a child. I performed at venues such as Disneyland, the Hollywood Bowl, and The Queen Mary all the way up to my late 20s and have worked with industry professionals such as Dave Foley, Julie Andrews, and music producer David Foster. I also enjoy writing and anything related to comedy, improv, TV sitcoms, comedic films, and research related to the history of comedy. Favorite movies are When Harry Met Sally and Ghostbusters and favorite TV shows are The Office, Parks and Recreation, and I Love Lucy.
Is there anything else about yourself that you’d like to share?
SW: I’m excited to be at ASU and look forward to continuing to contribute to the growth of the film and media studies program, the Department of English, and the ASU community at large!
Image 1: Courtesy photo of Kendra Bloodworth
Image 2: Courtesy photo of Mary Beth Hollmann
Image 3: Courtesy photo of LaMonte Key
Image 4: Courtesy photo of Mustafa Khaleel
Image 5: Courtesy photo of Suzanne Wachman