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Appointment-Based Writing Tutor Bios

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Learn about our appointment-based writing tutors and their specialties.

Lecturers

Christine Alfano

Christine Alfano

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Literature, history, digital rhetoric, rhetoric of gaming, visual rhetoric, gender and technology, writing program administration
Writing expertise:
Undergraduate essays and research presentation scripting, multimedia arguments
Enjoys coaching:
Brainstorming, narrowing research topics, time management, and revision

Read more about Christine

Mutallip Anwar

Mutallip Anwar

Lecturer

Academic specialties:
Rhetoric and composition studies, language education, discourse analysis, and translation

Read more about Mutallip

Shaleen Brawn

Shay Brawn

Lecturer

Academic specialties:
Rhetoric of science and technology, science communication, publishing as process and institution, social science, literature
Enjoys coaching:
Revision strategies

Read more about Shay

Nissa Cannon

Nissa Cannon

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
American Literature, Periodical Studies, Modernist Literature
Writing expertise:
Argumentative essays, arts reviews, research proposals
Enjoys:
sharing techniques for drafting and revising!

Read more about Nissa

Tara Diener

Tara Diener

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Anthropology, History, Bioethics, Nursing
Writing expertise:
Creative non-fiction, storytelling, academic (humanities and social sciences), PR
Enjoys:
helping students achieve the goals they set for themselves

Read more about Tara

Kevin DiPirro

Kevin DiPirro

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Theater and creative writing
Writing expertise:
Grant applications and personal statements
Enjoys coaching:
Brainstorming, argument revision, introductions and conclusions

Read more about Kevin

Erik Ellis

Erik Ellis

Lecturer & Digital Media Consultant

Academic specialties:
Multimodal composition, visual rhetoric, the essay, style, picture books, creative writing, journalism, rhetoric and composition
Writing expertise:
Applications, personal statements, and multimodal composition
Enjoys coaching:
Writing productivity, brainstorming, and revision strategies

Read more about Eric

Norah Fahim

Norah Fahim

Lecturer & Associate Director of the Hume Center

Academic specialties: 
Rhetoric and composition, TESOL, second language writing
Writing expertise:
Conference proposal abstracts, scholarly articles, cover letters, personal statements
Enjoys coaching:
Qualitative research methods, brainstorming, organization, revision, reading for writing

Read more about Norah

Lindsey Felt

Lindsey Felt

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Literature, science and technology studies, cultural studies
Writing expertise:
Research articles and dissertations, personal statements, cover letters, grant and fellowship applications, journalism
Enjoys coaching:
Brainstorming, analysis, organization, revision

Read more about Lindsey

Megan Formato

Megan Formato

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Humanities, history, science and technology studies
Writing expertise:
Personal statements for graduate school applications, grant and fellowship applications
Enjoys coaching:
Strategies for overcoming writer's block, brainstorming, revision

Read more about Megan

Mark Gardiner

Mark Gardiner

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Anthropology, social sciences, science and technology studies, environmental studies, politics and organizations
Writing expertise:
Research papers, essays, personal statements, grant proposals, ethnographic writing
Enjoys:
Getting to know students and working outside my subject areas. Brainstorming, getting past writer's block, revising overall structure and coherence, building narrative, fine-tuning sentences

Read more about Mark

Arturo Heredia

Arturo Heredia

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Literature, ethnic studies, music and social sciences
Writing expertise:
Lab reports, personal statements, grant applications
Enjoys:
Brainstorming and revision

Read more about Arturo

Shannon Hervey

Shannon Hervey

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Humanities
Writing expertise:
Personal statements, grant applications, dissertation chapters
Enjoys coaching:
Brainstorming and organization

Read more about Shannon

Brittany Hull

Brittany Hull

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Rhetoric and Composition, Applied Linguistics, Cultural Rhetoric, Women & Gender Studies
Writing expertise:
Literature, research (autoethnography), scholarships, personal statements, cover letters
Enjoys coaching:
Brainstorming, developing ideas, narrative

Read more about Brittany

Harriett Jernigan

Harriett Jernigan

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Humanities, second language acquisition, English as a foreign language (EFL), public speaking, project-based instruction, creative writing
Writing expertise:
Literature, sciences, translation, creative non-fiction, storytelling
Enjoys:
Brainstorming with people, helping people create a research and writing plan that works for them

Read more about Harriett

Jennifer Johnson

Jennifer Johnson

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Social sciences, cultural studies and qualitative research methodologies
Writing expertise:
Abstracts, proposals, personal statements, and honors theses and social science dissertations
Enjoys coaching:
Brainstorming, argument development and revision strategies

Read more about Jennifer

Chris Kamrath

Chris Kamrath

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Political Science/International Relations, history, literature and communications
Writing expertise:
Personal statements, grant applications, and writing for publication
Enjoys coaching:
argument development and style

Read more about Chris

Hayden Kantor

Hayden Kantor

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Humanities, social sciences, anthropology, history
Writing expertise:
Research essays, personal statements, proposals and grant applications, cover letters & resumes, ethnographic writing and creative non-fiction, articles and presentations for non-academic audiences
Enjoys:
developing arguments, organization, revision, and style

Read more about Hayden

Valerie Kinsey

Valerie Kinsey

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Humanities, creative writing
Writing expertise:
Personal statements, proposals
Enjoys coaching:
Getting started and idea development

Read more about Valerie

Raechel Lee

Raechel Lee

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Literature, cultural studies
Writing expertise:
Personal statements, dissertation, creative writing, translation
Enjoys coaching:
Idea generation, revision, style

Read more about Raechel

Sangeeta Mediratta

Sangeeta Mediratta

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Rhetoric, Writing, Literature, Cinema
Writing expertise:
Rhetorical Analysis, Close Reading, Comparative essay, Texts in Conversatoon, Research Based Argument
Enjoys:
The opportunity to have focused dialogue around a piece of writing and help see it grow.

Read more about Sangeeta

Kevin Moore

Kevin Moore

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Rhetoric, STEM Professional Writing, and American Literature
Writing expertise:
Research papers, rhetorical analysis, as well as personal statements and resumes
Enjoys coaching:
Everything! In particular, helping students see what is already amazing about their writing and thinking.

Read more about Kevin

Gabrielle Moyer

Gabrielle Moyer

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Literature, art history, philosophy and comparative literature
Writing expertise:
Journal articles, dissertation and thesis chapters
Enjoys coaching:
Writer's block, revision strategies, organization and style

Read more about Gabrielle

Eldon Pei

Eldon Pei

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Film and Media Studies, Art and Art History, East Asian Studies, Asian-American Studies, Literary Studies, Creative Writing
Writing expertise:
Critical Essay, Research Paper, Graduate Thesis, Fiction
Enjoys coaching:
rhetorical invention and arrangement

Read more about Eldon

John Peterson

John Peterson

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Cultural criticism, social sciences, literature, interdisciplinary studies
Writing expertise:
Personal statements, dissertations, articles for publication
Enjoys coaching:
Getting started, analysis, and revision strategies

Read more about John

Sarah Pittock

Sarah Pittock

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Humanities and education
Writing expertise:
Research statements, personal statements, abstracts, honors theses and dissertations
Enjoys coaching:
Invention, argument, style

Read more about Sarah

Emily Polk

Emily Polk

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Social science; journalism; creative writing; earth, energy, and environmental sciences
Writing expertise:
All genres
Enjoys coaching:
Goal setting, brainstorming, revision strategies, writing for publication

Read more about Emily

Rebecca Richardson

Becky Richardson

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Literature, creative writing
Writing expertise:
Abstracts, cover letters, personal statements
Enjoys coaching:
Brainstorming, organization, revision strategies

Read more about Becky

Katherine Rothschild

Katherine Rothschild

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
STEM writing; feminist rhetorics, writerly identity
Writing expertise:
Academic, research, fiction (novels) poetry, novels in verse, academic science writing
Enjoys:
Seeing what other teachers are teaching and how students approach their identities as writers in their fields!

Read more about Katherine

Tesla Schaeffer

Tesla Schaeffer

Lecturer & Associate Director of the Hume Center

Academic specialties: 
Humanities
Writing expertise:
Oral presentations, articles for publication
Enjoys coaching:
Idea generation, organization, and grammar

Read more about Tesla

Selby Schwartz

Selby Schwartz

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Humanities, performing arts
Writing expertise:
Scholarly articles, journalism, hybrid/creative forms
Enjoys coaching:
Brainstorming, clarity, and voice

Read more about Selby

Ruth Starkman headshot with determined face looking slightly off camera, bold in leather jacket, yet understated in desaturated color

Ruth Starkman

Lecturer & Digital Media Consultant

Academic specialties:
Ethics, classical rhetoric, computer science, biomedical education, women, first gens, minorities in higher education and STEM fields, machine learning, logic, political philosophy
Writing expertise:
Academic journal articles, webtexts, and personal narratives
Enjoys coaching:
Brainstorming, organization, revision

Read more about Ruth

Jennifer Stonaker

Jennifer Stonaker

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Biology, genetics
Writing expertise:
Lab reports, personal statements, and dissertations
Enjoys coaching:
Writing productivity, brainstorming, and revision strategies

Read more about Jennifer

Kathleen Tarr

Kathleen Tarr

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Law, media advocacy, performing arts, genetics, math
Writing expertise:
Legal writing, grant applications, personal statements, cover letters, creative non-fiction, press releases
Enjoys coaching:
Brainstorming, time management, revision strategies

Read more about Kathleen

Roberta Wolfson

Roberta Wolfson

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Literature, ethnic studies, critical mixed race studies, cultural studies
Writing expertise:
Close reading, literary analysis, research papers, argumentative essays, resumes, personal statements, dissertations, scholarly articles
Enjoys coaching:
Brainstorming, outlining, thesis creation, argument development, revision

Read more about Roberta

Cassie Wright

Cassie Wright

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Writing studies, international policy, sociology
Writing expertise:
Literature reviews, personal statements
Enjoys coaching:
Brainstorming, revision

Read more about Cassie

Irena Yamboliev

Irena Yamboliev

Lecturer

Academic specialties: 
Literature and science
Writing expertise:
Literary essays, scientific journal articles, abstracts, conference papers, poster presentations, personal essay, public criticism, writing about visual art, dissertations
Enjoys coaching:
Brainstorming, organization, revision strategies, oral presentation

Read more about Irena

Students

Annika Butler-Wall

Annika Butler-Wall

Graduate Writing Tutor

Academic specialties:
Humanities and social sciences, interdisciplinary studies
Writing expertise:
Research papers, theses, fellowship applications, abstracts
Enjoys coaching:
Brainstorming, structure and organization, argument development, revision

Alero Egbe

Alero Egbe

Graduate Writing Tutor

Academic specialties:
Humanities - American Studies
Writing expertise:
Personal statements, research essays, cover letters, creative writing, literary/media analysis
Enjoys coaching:
Brainstorming, outlining, restructuring

Sariel Golomb

Sariel Golomb

Graduate Writing Tutor

Academic specialties:
Humanities; Theater & Performance Studies; Feminist, Gender & Sexuality Studies; English Literature
Writing expertise:
Applications, resumes, personal statements, grant proposals, artist statements
Enjoys coaching:
Brainstorming, honing arguments, revision techniques, writing for publication

Shana Hadi

Shana Hadi

Graduate Writing Tutor

Academic specialties:
English, Computer Science (HCI), humanities, engineering
Writing expertise:
Essays, personal statements, PWR assignments, technical papers, creative writing
Enjoys coaching:
Brainstorming, strengthening argumentative structure, revising diction and flow, storytelling

Charlotte Hull

Charlotte Hull

Graduate Writing Tutor

Academic specialties: 
History, literature
Writing expertise:
Personal statements, grant applications, research papers
Enjoys coaching:
Reading for writing, brainstorming, organization, revision strategies, style

Anna Kimmel

Anna Kimmel

Graduate Writing Tutor & Oral Communication Tutor

Academic specialties:
Humanities; Theater & Performance Studies; Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity
Writing expertise:
Applications, Journal-Length Articles, Public-Facing Scholarship, Book and Performance Reviews
Enjoys coaching:
Writing for publication, revision techniques, and development of individual voice in academic writing

Adam Kirosingh

Adam Kirosingh

Graduate Writing Tutor

Academic specialties:
Science & Technology, Microbiology & Immunology
Writing expertise:
Personal statements, Research papers, dissertations
Enjoys coaching:
Ideation, style and revision strategies

Rosie La Puma Lebel

Rosie La Puma Lebel

Graduate Writing Tutor

Academic specialties:
Law, social sciences
Writing expertise:
Grant applications (foundation + government), legal memos, humanities/social science research papers
Enjoys coaching:
Transforming a brainstorm into an outline and trimming down word counts for applications

Axelle Marcantetti

Axelle Marcantetti

Graduate Writing Tutor

Academic specialties:
Philosophy, social sciences, engineering
Writing expertise:
Applications (personal statements, statements of purpose, cover letters), philosophy papers, literary analysis (close readings, RAs, TiCs)
Enjoys coaching:
Structure and brainstorming, creating narratives (e.g. how to combine experience, goals, and personal background for a strong application)

Can also tutor writing in French.

Brett Parker

Brett Parker

Graduate Writing Tutor

Academic specialties:
Social Sciences & Law
Writing expertise:
Empirical Papers and PWR Assignments
Enjoys coaching:
Organizing; diversifying sentence structure, diction

Kade Pettie

Kade Pettie

Graduate Writing Tutor

Academic specialties:
Biological sciences
Writing expertise:
Science writing, personal statements, fellowship/grant applications
Enjoys coaching:
Editing for flow/cohesion/ease of reading, framing arguments

Rose Pozos

Rose Pozos

Graduate Writing Tutor

Academic specialties:
Social sciences
Writing expertise:
Personal statements, grant proposals, research papers, non-academic articles, presentations
Enjoys coaching:
Brainstorming, argument development, organization and structure

Mitch Therieau

Mitch Therieau

Graduate Writing Tutor

Academic specialties:
Literature, philosophy
Writing expertise:
Conference papers, term papers, articles, fellowship/scholarship applications, reviews, non-academic essays
Enjoys:
Working with writers to develop ideas at every stage of the process, from brainstorming to the final touches.

Adin Walker

Adin Walker

Graduate Writing Tutor

Academic specialties:
Humanities; Performance Studies; Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; Literature, Film, and Art History
Writing expertise:
Personal Statements, Grant and Fellowship Applications, Personal Essays
Enjoys coaching:
Brainstorming, Organizing/Outlining, Determining next steps after the first draft, Exploring processes and writing rituals