Elise Sheffield has been a part-time member of the Writing Center team for thirteen years. A Rockbridge County native, she holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Brown University, a master’s degree in theology, and a second master’s in conservation biology from Miami (OH) University. Previously a college instructor of composition and literature, she is also the education director for Boxerwood Nature Center just outside Lexington.  Over the past decade, she has secured over $2 million in grants for area non-profits as a result of her ability to write clear and convincing prose. “To me, good writing reflects good thinking and is itself an act of leadership,” says Elise, whose favorite part about her job is helping cadets to develop those same life-long skills.