I am a PhD and MSLIS student in Information Sciences with a background in English and Creative Writing. For my PhD, I research the advertising and marketing of American youth literature, and for my MSLIS, I focus on media literacy and research services for all ages. At the Writers Workshop, I support writers and consultants in finding their best practices for writing, research, and communication at Illinois. Languages: English, Brazilian Portuguese (heritage speaker)

Alyssa M., Office Assistant (she/her)

Hi! I’m a junior majoring in English with a double minor in Creative Writing and Medieval Studies. When I’m not at the Writers Workshop or in class, I usually can be found getting coffee from one of the two hundred places that sell it here on campus. Most of that is followed by me wishing I had gone to Dunkin’ instead. I like re-watching my favorite movies, reading outside, and taking long car rides. Language(s): English, Spanish

Josie H., Office Assistant (she/her)

Hello everyone! My name is Josie and I am a sophomore studying architecture. When I am not spending my time working on projects in the studio, I like to hang out on the quad or spend times with my friends. Some of my hobbies are painting and doing different DIY projects. Language(s): English

Maddie N., Office Assistant (she/her)

Hi! I’m Maddie and I am pursuing a dual degree in Accounting and History. I’m looking forward to another great semester at the WW and interacting with our patrons! When I’m not at the WW or class, I love to go on walks around campus, binge-watch shows with friends, or re-read my favorite books. Language(s): English

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Consultants: 

Arianna G. (she/her) English & Advertising

As a WRIT300 student, I have learned a lot about how to efficiently tutor students of all backgrounds. As an English major, I am proficient in writing in all genres ranging from argumentative essays to creative writing. In my time as an apprentice in the Writers Workshop, I have witnessed how great tutors create results. Overall, I am well equipped to tutor any problems that may occur in the writing process, no matter the genre. Language: English

Ava W. (she/her) Masters of Accounting Science/Tax & Data Analytics

I have 2+ years of tutoring experience focused on personal statements, ICT applications, and business writing. I enjoy helping students throughout the personal statement process (brainstorming, outlining, drafting, etc.) or perfecting their resume/cover letter for internship applications. No matter where you’re in the writing process, I look forward to giving you guidance and confidence! Language(s): English

August H. (he/they) Anthropology/American Indian Studies

August is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Anthropology. Their ethnographic work is about human-canid relationships in the context of wild animal sanctuaries, and the ethics of captivity and interspecies communication. August holds BAs in Philosophy and Sociology and a Graduate Minor in American Indian and Indigenous Studies. Though his research interests are rooted in the social sciences and humanities, his writing practice is highly interdisciplinary, drawing from ethology, biology and the natural sciences. Prior to graduate study, they worked in the labor movement and nonprofit world, which also gave them experience in technical and grant writing. Language(s): English, Spanish

Bess S. (she/her) Classics/History & Anthropology

Hello! I’m a senior in Classics, and this will be my fourth semester with the Writers Workshop! I have experience writing short articles for publication and coursework for history, anthropology, physics, philosophy, and chemistry. I’m most familiar with personal statements and humanities essays, but I am happy to help with lab reports as well. I enjoy supporting writers through any stage of the writing process and on any project. I look forward to working with you! Language(s): English

Bill S. (they/them) Social Psychology

I have three years of experience tutoring from my undergraduate, where I majored in Psychology and Interdisciplinary Studies and earned a minor in Creative Writing. I have taught Social Psychology, Research Methods in Psychology, and Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination. I specialize in research writing using APA style and also enjoy consulting on short fiction and personal statements for applications. I have also submitted a Master’s thesis in social psychology and reviewed for several psychology journals. Language(s): English, Spanish (conversational)

Cong W. (she/her) Curriculum and Instruction

I am a PhD student devoted to mastering the English language, a journey that began during my undergraduate studies. Over the course of six prolific years, I have gained extensive experience as a TOEFL writing instructor. My pedagogical approach prioritizes fostering logical coherence and understanding the common challenges students face when composing. With a keen understanding of these concerns, I am well prepared to facilitate an enriching writer’s workshop and guide students towards enhancing their writing skills. Language(s): English, Mandarin Chinese

Colten H. (he/him) English and French

I am a senior majoring in English and French, with a strong background in both creative and academic writing. In my own writing and research, I love to cross disciplinary lines and come up with ways to make writing the academic essay a more lively and enjoyable process. Whether you come in with a personal statement, research paper, or a long-form literary analysis, I am thrilled to help you make your work sing! Language(s): English, French

Devin E. (he/him) Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences

I have been a writing tutor since Fall 2020. I enjoy working with writers from all departments. Before graduate school, I worked for the federal government and two non-profits, during which time I wrote three books, over a dozen peer-reviewed publications, and had a new frog species named after me. My background is in science writing, but I like getting a taste of everything and I am happy to help with any type of writing project. Language(s): English, Malagasy

 

Drew K. (he/him) Psychology PhD student; Masters in Sociology (focuses: law, justice, and social change; health and medicine)

I hold a life-long passion for writing, both academically and creatively. I have been a teaching assistant for 4 years (and counting!) with strengths in the social sciences and humanities, as well as journalism and fiction writing. Previously, I have enjoyed conducting writing workshops with fellow first-generation college students and incarcerated youth. With pending publications in top journals of Sociology, Psychology, and Human-Computer Interaction, I love seeing people generate work they can feel proud of! Language(s): English, Spanish (basic), Russian (basic)

 

Ekangika M. (she/her) Neuroscience and Political Science

I am a sophomore majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Political Science. I have experience writing for the Undergraduate Neuroscience Journal and with research-based writing in the sciences and humanities. I’m eager to work with you at any stage of the writing process and love reading and learning about different genres. I am always happy to listen to your ideas and look forward to helping you achieve your writing goals! Language(s): English

 

Emily K. (she/her) Double Majoring in Geography and Geographic Information Sciences (GGIS) and History

Hello! I am an undergraduate student double majoring in Geography and Geographic Information Science (GIS concentration) and History. I have experience with humanities and scientific writing but am ready to tackle any genre you need help with! I love helping students create outlines for their writing and as a visual learner myself, I understand the need for a structured writing process. I’m excited to address any concerns you have and look forward to meeting with you soon! Language(s): English

 

Emily L. (she/her) Speech and Hearing Science

I am a second year master’s student in Speech and Hearing Science. I have a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Spanish for Professional Use, as well as a minor in Linguistics. I also have 4 years of prior tutoring experience and am most experienced in tutoring English and literature papers, business writing, and personal statements/application writing. I’d love to help you brainstorm and develop ideas, create an outline, or work with you to revise a draft! Language(s): English

 

Emily M. (she/her) Communication

I am a third-year PhD student in the Department of Communication studying intimate relationships, health, and technology. I have experience with a wide variety of writing tasks, including structuring persuasive arguments, fine-level copyediting, technical academic writing, drafting job application materials, and writing for a public audience. I have taught CMN 111, CMN 112, and CMN 338 while at UIUC, and I’m also a co-managing editor for the academic blog and podcast Sex and Psychology. Although I’m happy to assist with any writing need, I am best-equipped to help students in the social sciences and humanities. Language: English

 

Emma O. (she/her) English

I am a Senior here at UIUC as an English major with a minor in Sociology! I have always loved writing and have been helping students with their essays since I was a Freshman in high school. To this day, I continue to help first-generation students through the college application process to make it as easy and enjoyable as possible! I enjoy helping students work through their writing process, whether that is with a completed first draft or brainstorming essay ideas! Languages: English, Spanish

 

Fin M. (they/them) English/Writing Studies

Fin is a Ph.D. student in Writing Studies, specializing in multimodal writing and digital communication. They have previous experience supporting writers as a writing tutor and as a teacher. At U of I, they have taught RHET 105, 101, and 102, as well as INFO/WRIT 303: Writing Across Media. Their goal is to ensure that writers leave their appointments more confident and comfortable in their writing, ready to revise and improve their project for their specific goals and purposes. Language(s): English

 

Gabriella H. (they/them) English, MFA in Creative Writing

I am an MFA candidate in Creative Writing, specializing in fiction. I have previous experience supporting writers and researchers as a teacher of RHET 105 here at UIUC. My personal writing experience involves not only creative work, but also extensive work in multimodal forms (including social media), literary criticism, persuasive essays, anthropological research, healthcare communications, and other standard professional communications. I believe writing is a process, and I’m here to help you at any step along the way! Language(s): English, French (intermediate)

 

Graciela B. (she/her) History and Latina/o Studies with a minor in Spanish

My previous tutoring experience consists of being a peer tutor during my junior and senior years of high school. I also served as an editor for the Undergraduate History Journal at Illinois during my freshmen year! I have experience proofreading essays and applications for a variety of fields but have the most experience in the humanities. I have much practice analyzing and incorporating sources and writing argumentative papers. I enjoy brainstorming and helping others verbalize their ideas. Language(s): English, Spanish

 

Hannah C. (she/her) English/Literary Studies

I am a Ph.D. student in Literary Studies, and I am also pursuing an Asian American Studies minor. My research areas surround Asian American Literature and Poetry as well as Disability Studies. I have previous experience tutoring, teaching Rhetoric 105, and working as a teaching assistant for Intro to Asian American Studies. As a tutor, I aim to help writers during any part of their writing process and to discover their writerly voice. Language(s): English

 

Hilary M. (she/her) Music

Hilary is a Ph.D. candidate in ethnomusicology who specializes in writing about music and sound. She enjoys all stages of the research and writing process and has years of experience tutoring STEM students in writing in the humanities. As a tutor, teacher, and learner, Hilary is especially interested in understanding and utilizing diverse learning processes, especially for students with cognitive disabilities. Language(s): English, French, Tibetan

 

Kendra W. (she/her) Communication and Media

Hi! I am a 1st-year PhD student in the Institute of Communications Research pursuing a degree in Communication & Media. My research focuses on Black popular culture and media representation using ethnographic and qualitative methods. I approach my research from a humanities perspective. Besides my editorial journalism experience, I have taught sections of Public Speaking where I teach students how to properly research for a specific topic and present their findings or argue their thesis in an oral essay. These skills transition over to written essays as well, and they also help with presenting your research or final paper in a presentation! I really enjoy helping with papers in the humanities and I also love to review resumes, cover letters, and CVs! Language(s): English

 

Kevin N. (he/him) Biology

I am a 4th year PhD student studying ecology and evolutionary biology! Between undergrad and grad school I have taught courses and workshops in biology, chemistry, physics, and statistics, published four first-author papers, and successfully written numerous grants. I also have worked as a science writer for the Institute for Genomic Biology at UIUC. I have extensive experience with lab reports, research papers/manuscripts, data analysis and interpretation, grants/fellowship applications, personal statements for graduate school and medical school, and pop science articles/press releases. While science writing is my specialty, my approach is general and I’d be happy to help with writing from all disciplines! Language(s): English

 

Kirsten J. (she/her) Library and Information Science

I am excited to be working at the Writers Workshop for my fifth semester this spring! After graduating from UIUC with my B.A. in English in Spring 2024, I am now pursuing my Master’s in Library and Information Science. I have experience working with writers on anything from personal statements to papers in a variety of subjects through my time here at the Writers Workshop. I’m excited to work with you on any writing need, but brainstorming and helping writers organize their ideas are some of my favorite things about tutoring! Language(s): English

 

Liz M. (she/her) English and Medieval Studies

I am a Ph.D. candidate in English and Medieval Studies. I have 6 years of experience teaching writing, 6 years of tutoring experience, and 5 semesters of experience teaching literature at the 100 and 200 levels. I’m happy to work with you no matter where you are in the writing process — from brainstorming to final revisions! I have experience working with writers on application essays, research papers, resumes, cover letters, and long-term writing projects such as theses and dissertations. Writers from all fields and specialties are welcome. Language(s): English

 

Lyric R. (she/her) Journalism/Photography

Hi! My name is Lyric and I am a first-year tutor in the Writers Workshop majoring in Journalism. I enjoy writing literary journalism and other research-based writing. I previously worked in my high school’s writing center helping with everything including personal statements to literary analysis. I can help with brainstorming, outlining, structuring, analysis, grammar, and anything else you’d like to work on! Language(s): English

 

MacKenzie G. (she/her/ella) PhD Student – Comparative and World Literature

I have five years of experience working at two different Writing Centers (Wright State University and the University of Maryland) as well as several years in independent writing consultation, and I particularly love to work with non-native English speakers! As an undergraduate student, I earned a certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language, and as a Master’s student I spent a semester upgrading my Center’s training materials on explaining grammar to students. I am fascinated by the ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ of grammar in written communication and love explaining these concepts to students (or anyone else who will listen). Language(s): English, Spanish

 

Macy H. (she/her) Psychology, Brain & Cognitive Neuroscience, Integrative Biology & Music

I have experience as an editor in many genres, but primarily in academic research and journalism. I currently work as an executive editor for the Undergraduate Neuroscience Journal, which focuses on IB, MCB, Bioengineering, and Psychology research writing. In addition, I have experience as a copy editor for more creative endeavors in opinion and feature writing in journalism. As a consultant, I tend to focus on structure, readability, vocabulary, and grammar. I love to read and write all genres, and I’m eager to work within any discipline. Language(s): English, American Sign Language

 

Mark S. (he/him) Secondary Education (Curriculum and Instruction)/Creative Writing/History

Hello! I’m excited to work with you at the Writers Workshop. I enjoy helping brainstorm or work on outlines for any genre or topic. I’m most familiar with the requirements of history research papers, rhetorical analyses, and English papers. I also enjoy talking about application essays, taught LAS 122 a few years ago, and have written multiple short stories and films. I look forward to working with you! Language(s): English

 

Martha L. (she/her) English

Martha obtained a dual honors B.A. in English Literature and B.F.A. in Creative Writing with a minor in Women’s Studies at Penn State University; she began tutoring in Fall 2013 and received the Outstanding Writing Tutor Award for the 2015 academic year. She came to the University of Illinois to pursue her doctorate focused on Renaissance literature in 2017. Martha comes to the Writers Workshop with specialized experience working with English as Second Language (ESL), Neurodivergent (ND), and STEM students on every kind of writing imaginable! She looks forward to helping you develop your writing skills. Language(s): English, French (novice)

 

Meng-Hsien (Neal) L. (he/they) 

I’m a Ph.D. candidate in English/Writing Studies, focusing on transnational literacies/intersectional identities. Prior to being a graduate student at UIUC, I had taught writing domestically and internationally in various educational settings. At UIUC, I have taught RHET 105, RHET 233, & INFO 303, and implemented a wide array of pedagogical tools and methods in my own class. My latest publication focuses on graduate teaching assistants’ becoming during one-on-one writing consultations Languages: English, Mandarin Chinese

 

Nathan T. (he/him) History of Education; American Indian Studies

I love the art and process of writing and am trained in writing primarily for and within humanities disciplines like history, languages, and philosophy. I have taught writing in American public schools, abroad in China, and in courses to both graduate and undergraduate students in the College of Education (e.g., EPOL 401, EPOL 403, EDUC 202, CI 446, CI 485). I am most passionate about workshopping argumentative writing as required in most academic disciplines, and that is taught through research papers in most majors/minors in college. Languages: English, Spanish

 

Peizhen W. (she/her) English

I (she/her) am a Ph.D. student in English Literature focusing on Digital Humanities (Literature + Programming), Science Fiction/Fantasy, Fan Studies, etc.. I hold a B.A. in English Literature from Tsinghua University. I have tutored in academic writing for five years, and have taught 100 and 200 level courses in writing and literary studies at UIUC. My research fields are highly interdisciplinary, and I am happy to work with students from humanities, STEM, fine arts, and other areas. Language(s): English, Mandarin Chinese

 

Sarah O. (she/her) Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience

My name is Sarah and I am a fourth year PhD student in the Cognitive Neuroscience program! I have 3 years of experience working with students on their writing, including second language writing. I especially enjoy working on research proposals, application pieces (e.g., personal statements, CVs), and manuscripts. One of my strengths is helping students emphasize the most important points in their writing. I am excited to work with writers in any specialty! Language(s): English

 

Serena N. (she/her) English with minors in Political Science and Legal Studies

Hello! I’m Serena, a sophomore undergraduate student majoring in English with minors in political science and legal studies. This is my first semester as a consultant for the Writers Workshop, but I’ve had two years of experience as a writing tutor in high school. I enjoy assisting with any part of the writing process. I look forward to helping you feel confident and supported throughout your writing journey! Language(s): English

 

Valerie R. (she/her) Curriculum and Instruction

I am a Ph.D. student specializing in language and literacy education, and I’ve received an M.Ed. in TESOL from BU. My academic journey has provided me with a profound understanding of second language acquisition, language education and English learners. I once served as a Study Abroad Consultant, supporting students in preparing application documents, such as statements of purpose, academic resumes, cover letters, research proposals, etc. I have also been an Academic Writing tutor for two years, where I instruct students on English academic writing of various genres, particularly in humanities and social sciences. I’m truly passionate about working with writers from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds to help enhance their writing skills! Language(s): English, Mandarin Chinese

 

Virginia W. (she/her) English

I am a senior in English, and this is my third semester consulting for the Writers Workshop! In 2023, I interned as a communications specialist for the University of Illinois Neuroscience Program. Last summer, I completed a proposal writing internship with the global technology services firm CAI, where I will be working full-time after I graduate in the spring. While I enjoy and appreciate all genres of writing, I especially love working with students on professional, application, and humanities pieces. My interests include reading, listening to podcasts, doing jigsaw puzzles, and going to coffeeshops with friends. Language(s): English

 

Zion T. (he/him) History and Latina/o Studies

I am a Senior majoring in History and Latina/o Studies, and this will be my fourth semester as a consultant. I have extensive writing experience in American and Latina/o history and some experience in sociology and literature. I have had short-form articles published in Chicago’s Puerto Rican community newspaper “La Voz del Paseo Boricua” and I have been an editor with the Undergraduate History Journal at Illinois for what will be my 3rd year. I have some experience writing personal, argumentative, and analytical essays in Spanish as well as some experience in helping with Personal Statements. Language(s): English, Spanish (intermediate)

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