Eleanor Russell

Eleanor is a writer and communications professional with a doctorate in Theatre and Drama from Northwestern University. She has spent more than a decade working in university departments, non-profits, and arts administration. With a BA in Religious Studies and a Women and Gender Studies minor, two MAs in theatre history and criticism in addition to her doctoral degree, Eleanor is passionate about academic writing, and loves helping students find and hone their voice as writers. She has taught at Brooklyn College, Northwestern University, and Southern Illinois University, in addition to carceral settings, including Newton Correctional Facility in Newton, Iowa and Cook County Jail in Chicago, IL.

After graduating from Grinnell College, Eleanor moved to Brooklyn, NY where she spent four years working as a tutor for middle-grade students, among other jobs. It was during this time that Eleanor learned how to combine her passion for writing and language with the joys of collaborating with young people. She believes that learning how to write is another way of learning how to think. She is excited to work with HelloCollege students on this essential life skill. Originally from Glencoe, IL, Eleanor has lived in Albion, MI, Grinnell, IA, Brooklyn, NY, Chicago, IL, and now resides in Taos, NM with her husband André, six-year-old son Jean-Jacques, and pitbull Bubba. Eleanor trained as a classical singer for more than ten years. In addition, she loves collecting vinyl records and making music with her family. She is also working on a book project about stand-up comedy audio recordings: The Listening Avant-Garde: Sounds of Stand-Up (1960-2021).