My name is Rachel Kurasz, and I am currently a Ph.D. student at Northern Illinois University (NIU). I am getting my PhD in Rhetoric and Composition, specializing in Multimodal Rhetoric and Media/ Cartoon Studies.  I am also a creative writer, a writing and literature instructor, a content creator, and a screenwriter. A colleague once told me that I was like an academic octopus. In a world that told me I could only select one super specific thing to focus on, I decided to let my tentacles each reach out for what they love and are passionate about, and now I balance between them all. Some might say this is a weakness, but I view it as a strength. I have spent years honing my crafts, research, skills, and talents, and I can teach students from a unique and diverse background. I earned my MFA in Creative Writing from Roosevelt University in 2017, and my BA in Mass Communication Media Arts specializing in Radio/Television Production and Writing in 2013. Why should I give up any of these? Instead, I try to merge them all into my own treasure chest niche, which I hope to share with the world and instruct as my career progresses. On this website are my various portfolios with different work I have done, philosophies, past student evaluations/feedback, and a blog where I reflect upon my career journey intermittently. I hope you enjoy and follow along for my unique nautical themed journey!