Catching a zephyr from the Windy City, where he served as Assistant Director of the Columbia College Chicago Writing Center, Derek arrived at the OSUN Writing Lab in the fall of 2005—to find himself in the unfamiliar role of the number-two Derek on campus.  In his previous, Derek Prime position, Derek taught developmental writing, writing center theory and practice, and advanced grammar and style.

Derek received his M.A. in Writing at DePaul University in Chicago.  He has presented on writing center issues at many regional and national conferences, and co-authored a chapter for On Location: Theory and Practice in Classroom-Based Writing Tutoring.  Forthcoming publications include his essay “Swordfish: On Writing Centers and Speakeasies” in The Writing Lab Newsletter and a chapter for the edited volume Creative Approaches to Writing Center Work.  He also enjoys writing mash notes to his wife, Victoria, an event coordinator for the Center of Science and Industry in Columbus.

Hailing from the south suburbs of Chicago, Derek (paradoxically) is a hopeless Cubs fan, and he, perhaps predictably, considers himself a connoisseur of deep-dish pizza, hot dogs, and gourmet popcorn.