Emra, with a passion for writing and academic growth, has been working with students for over five years. She graduated from Western Kentucky University (WKU) with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Film. She is currently obtaining her Master's in English at East Tennessee State University (ETSU).  

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At ETSU, Emra is developing her pedagogical expertise while helping students at the Center for Academic Achievement. In the fall of 2026, she will teach ENGL 1010: Foundations in Writing, and in the spring of 2027, she will continue teaching Foundations in Writing as well as ENGL 1020: Written Communication & Critical Thinking. Emra is a dedicated educator, actively redesigning an ENGL 1010 course influenced by bioregionalism, environmental writing, and ecocriticism. Her goal is to teach writing through place, giving students the opportunity to refine their writing skills while becoming engaged community members.

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On that note, Emra is an active member in the academic community. She has presented her paper “The Unifying Power of Weltinnenraum: A Comparative Study of Rainer Maria Rilke’s Duino Elegies and Mak Dizdar’s Stone Sleeper” at the Kentucky Philological Association Conference, where she won the Graduate Student Award. She has also presented at the Pop Culture Association Conference and was a selected reader at ETSU’s Festival of Ideas.

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During her time at WKU, she was a teaching assistant, collaborating with professors to help facilitate three freshman-level courses. One of these courses was part of WKU’s Summer Scholars program, meaning Emra was able to help incoming freshmen renew their confidence in an evolving academic environment. Emra also tutored for two organizations at WKU: The Advising & Career Development Center and The Writing Center.

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As a first-generation university student who has had to navigate the complexity of college academics, Emra knows how scary this new chapter can be. Her approach to mentorship is focused on making students feel seen and their voices heard. Emra’s one-on-one approach creates an environment in which students can craft compelling personal narratives that open up opportunities, taking the first steps toward a fulfilling college journey.