Introducing New Lecturer, Zainab Hussein
As a Lecturer I at the Sweetland Center for Writing, Zainab spent the fall teaching Writing 160, a multimodal composition course where she and her students interrogated how identity is created and put to use through personal expression. In her course for the Lloyd Scholars for Writing and the Arts program, she and her students focused on fear, examining horror in fiction, film, and reality.
Zainab holds an M.F.A. from the Programs in Writing at the University of California, Irvine, where she previously taught in the composition and fiction programs. She is a MacDowell fellow and a fellow of the International Center for Writing and Translation. Currently, she is at work with local visual artists and writers on a collaborative suite titled Freeway Botany, a project that considers how plants and people occupy freeway spaces through poetry, essay, and images. In addition to her fiction, poetry, and essay writing, Zainab also spends time making ceramics, painting, and kickboxing.
Introducing Sweetland's New Chief Administrator, Soilo Arroyo
Soilo, (pronounced: SOY-loh), joined the Sweetland Center for Writing in September 2024. He is also the Chief Administrator for the English Department, a position he's held since the fall of 2022. He earned a B.A. in English from the University of Connecticut and an M.Ed. in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Oklahoma.
As Chief Administrator, Soilo is a part of a larger LSA team of business administrators responsible for developing strategic plans with the unit's leadership team and managing the non-instructional operations of the center, including budget and finance, human resources, tech services, and facilities. He also serves as a liaison between the unit and the college ensuring compliance with U-M and LSA policies.
Soilo's professional journey includes 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, where he served in various roles including training management, education services, and academic advising. He also worked as HR officer, resource advisor, and program administrator. One standout highlight of Soilo's military experience was his role as an English instructor at the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School where he helped incoming cadet-candidates hone their writing skills. After his time in the military, Soilo worked for over eight years in New York City as a Network Operations Supervisor for Verizon Communications, Inc.
Soilo is a proud father of four wonderful children: Eduardo, Carlos, Sandra, and Nicolas; a stepdad to two amazing young ladies, Marisa and Gabi, and a grateful and loving partner to Denise. Outside of work, Soilo enjoys spending time with family, singing, running, and exploring the world.
