Undergraduate Tutors |
|
 |
Alec
English and Tagalog speaker Junior Political Science and Human Rights Growing up in the Philippines, Alec embarks on his UConn journey through a multicultural lens. He immerses himself in academic and extracurricular activities that involve learning about new cultures and countries. As an aspiring international lawyer, Alec always finds ways to incorporate his cultural background into his academic papers and discussions, further broadening his understanding of what it means to be a Filipino in the humanities and social sciences field. He loves to engage in impromptu speaking and writing as it allows him to think of ideas and concepts creatively. You can also find Alec in the UConn Leadership Certificate Series as a Co-Facilitator! |
 |
Arsha
English, Marathi, and Hindi speaker Senior Psychological Sciences and Human Development and Family Science Hi! I’m Arsha, I’m excited to be a part of the writing center and to support fellow writers, just as the center has supported me! Reading and writing have always been ways for me to imagine new worlds and see through different perspectives. This interest of mine also connects to why I love psychology, which led me to develop a strong interest in research during my journey at UConn. I currently work in two psychology labs, one in the developmental psychology department and the other in clinical. In my free time, I enjoy drawing, reading, baking and I'm hoping to get back into running this semester (so I’ll gladly take advice!). I’m looking forward to working with you and learning from your ideas! |
 |
Brian
Senior English/Communications There are three things Brian likes more than anything; Sports of any kind, enjoying all things Western, and helping whoever he can. Having worked at a variety of positions during his time at UConn, he has the flexibility to help out for whatever writing issues you need! Alongside his work as a tutor, Brian also will be working as a member of UConn’s Information Technology Services this fall. If you have questions about a Writing assignment, need advice about who to take in fantasy football, or just want a show recommendation, don’t hesitate to swing by his way! |
 |
Cassidy
Junior English Ready to recommend or praise any UConn English class, Cassidy has enjoyed her time in the major discovering her special interests in writing and composition studies, as well as publishing. She is an active member of the UConn chapter of Her Campus, where she writes articles about her favorite music and shares tips for eating gluten-free. Cassidy enjoys discovering new music, improving her golf game, and watching bad reality TV. She is passionate about helping others learn to love writing, regardless of experience and area of study, and is looking forward to learning from, and with, fellow writers this year at the Writing Center. |
 |
Cawley Planning to pursue a legal education after graduation, Cawley loves to learn and write about modern political and social issues. She has spent her last year studying for the LSAT, interning with the Connecticut Judicial Branch, and (of course) at the Writing Center! For her third year as a tutor at the Writing Center, she is ecstatic to help her fellow Huskies write about their own passions. When she’s not tutoring, you can find her working on a new craft project, analyzing speculative fiction films over an iced matcha or coffee, and adding to her ever-expanding music library. |
 |
Christina As a proud CS major, award-winning artist and author, Christina will be wildly switching between her left and right brain all year. When she runs out of creative and academic energy, you’ll find her Googling the lyrics to reggaeton songs (don’t do that in public), apologizing to her houseplants, or getting a little heartbroken over niche Tumblr posts. Christina speaks Spanish, is learning Japanese, and understands Malayalam (her family’s native language). She’s determined to become a true polyglot… if only she could remember the difference between ള [lla] and ല [la]. |
 |
Elena
Senior Mechanical Engineering Elena is from New Haven, CT, and a devoted fan of both Sally’s and Bar Pizza. She loves reading—The City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty is a favorite—hiking with her dog, and crocheting gifts for her friends. She’s also on a semi-unsuccessful mission to get a little buff, so if she isn’t camped out in the library or an engineering building, you can probably find her in the dining hall or the rec center. |
 |
Erin
Senior English and Human Rights Hey huskies! This is my third year as a tutor here, and I can’t wait to welcome you to the W Center (a.k.a. the best part of Babbidge!). My whole life, I have been an avid reader and a thorough writer. I am happy to be of assistance for all your writing-related needs, and I have a special knack for editing and organizing essays. Proficient in French, three semesters deep into my Spanish-learning journey, and newly invested in Haitian Creole on Duolingo—I love languages and hope to make use of my linguistic knowledge in a future career in immigration law! In my spare time you can find me sewing a quilt, playing flute, Irish dancing, and frequenting Dunkin for iced coffee. |
 |
Gaby
English, German, & Spanish speaker Senior Anthropology, Linguistics/Psychology, & German In her third year at the Writing Center, Gaby is excited to continue helping students from all majors and backgrounds, se habla Español und auch Deutsch! No matter what language the session takes place in, Gaby aims to help each student feel more confident in their writing by the end of their appointment with her. When she’s not at the Writing Center you can probably find Gaby reading, crafting, or soaking up the sun with friends on the lawn in front of the Student Union so feel free to say hi if you spot her! |
 |
Grace
Junior Secondary English Education and English A junior with Secondary English Education and English majors, Grace is beyond excited to spend time helping writers with their craft. On campus she volunteers with Big Brothers and Big Sisters, is on the E-board of LID, and is a Women’s Ministry Leader in Cru. After receiving the UConn Idea Grant, Grace spent last year composing a novel about college students and friendships, First Year Here (feel free to ask her about it!). In her free time, you can find her crocheting, working out at the Rec, reading a variety of novels, and planning her next scuba diving trip! |
 |
Hannah
Senior English and Writing Hannah is a Vietnamese American writer who aspires to release books of her own one day and is excited to meet other aspiring writers. Poet at heart, Hannah’s enamor for all things writing has blossomed ever since she was a kid, and now, she is studying to pursue her dream of a career in publishing. Academic endeavors and career prospects aside, Hannah is a mentor at UConn’s Asian Mentoring Program and frequents general body meetings held by the Vietnamese Student Association as well as other cultural organizations. Since she was a first-year student, she has also worked as a blog moderator for the Disability & Access Collective Blog. If she is not writing or burying her nose in a novel, Hannah loves to binge anime and manga, consume healthy doses of rock and heavy metal music, dabble in art and filmmaking, and snuggle with her pet bunnies. |
 |
Jenna Jenna is from Durham, Connecticut, where they take care of a growing number of plants, frequently daydream, and haunt their local library. They have published short stories, audio fiction, and poetry, and they plan on pursuing a career in Library Science. With a love for all things stories, they are always tracking down a good book to read or trying to crack a new idea. Last summer, they interned at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center, and this fall, they will be interning at the Benton Museum of Art on campus. They have worn many hats in the student Historical Society and frequently do tech for Page to Stage Productions shows. Jenna looks forward to working with writers on anything they bring to the Writing Center! |
 |
Liam Liam is a musician, writer and designer. He currently works on two literary magazines; serving as Poetry Editor and Design Lead for UConn’s Long River Review and as Associate Editor for Cherry Road Review. At the Writing Center, he organizes queer writing events to create communities of queer writers at UConn. Beyond writing, Liam loves playing guitar, rewatching favorite sitcoms, and going for adventures. Adventure is his driving force, which he hopes to find in a career as a profile journalist. |
 |
Olivia Hi! I’m Olivia, and I am so excited to meet my fellow library/W-center enthusiasts. I’ve been reading and writing for as long as I can remember. Although the elaborate novels and imaginary worlds I created as a kid never ended up in the public eye, it sparked a lifelong love for storytelling and creative writing. Additionally, with hopes of one day entering a career in Law, I enjoy indulging in lots of persuasive and analytical writing. I firmly believe that anyone can write well, and I am eager to help others find their confidence and clarity on the page. Outside of school, I am a huge fan of murder mysteries and dystopian books. In my free time, you can catch me listening to music (like all the time), playing piano, baking, doing arts and crafts, or hysterically laughing about something with my friends and family. I can’t wait to work with you all! 🙂 |
 |
Nanxi (Nathan) Lu Nanxi’s own journey helps him connect deeply with those who feel uncertain about writing or nervous about communication, because he was once one of them. To him, writing and communication are ways of resisting fear. Our words may not change the world, but our words can change the person who reads or writes them, even you, even him. As both a listener and an adventurer, Nanxi has lived in the USA, Mexico, Uk, China, and traveled to countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and Japan, often capturing people and stories through his camera. At UConn, he has worked as a supervisor in the Putnam Dining Hall, studied abroad, and now continues supporting students as a Writing Center tutor. He looks forward to working with writers to organize their thoughts, spark new ideas, and discover the power of language. |
 |
Natalie Natalie is currently spending most of her time reading manga and rewatching Attack on Titan for the fifteenth time since eighth grade. But when she’s not doing that, she’s looking ahead to pursuing a career in the creative industry of digital media. Over the summer, she interned at the Connecticut State Laboratory in Meriden, where she assisted with creative outreach programs and communicative tasks in their Administration Division, and helped them create a fictitious docu-mystery film. Some of her favorite artistic hobbies are video editing and drawing, but most importantly, she loves to write. After graduation, she wishes to further her education with an MFA in graphic design. |
 |
Minerva As a future Spanish teacher, Minerva loves any session that involves working with multilingual material. After working at the UConn Hartford Writing Center for over a year, she is enthusiastic to be at a larger campus where there are more opportunities to work with bilingual students. When outside of the Writing Center, you are most likely to find her at the nearest Dunkin’ or sunbathing on the Student Union lawn. |
 |
Raaga
Junior Physiology & Neurobiology From Acton, Massachusetts, Raaga is driven by her passion for medicine and research and seeks to expand her knowledge across different disciplines. On campus, she’s involved in various organizations including Camp Kesem, Telugu Student Association, and NextGen Health. Whether she’s studying in the library or walking around campus, you’ll often (almost always) find Raaga with a Dunkin’ iced coffee in hand and her headphones on. Now in her second year at the Writing Center, she is looking forward to continuing her exploration for both scientific and creative writing, while sharing this passion with others. |
 |
Sara
Senior Journalism/Political Science Sara is a writer at heart— and she spends most of her time doing so, writing beyond her classes and publishing pieces in a variety of campus organizations. She enjoys sharing her passion of writing with others at UConn, currently serving as editor-in-chief of the Undergraduate Political Review, magazine managing editor of Nutmeg Publishing and president of UConn’s chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Last year, she led the Daily Campus as editor-in-chief. With a passion for telling people’s stories, she aspires to become a journalist and has interned and published work in multiple newspapers across southern New England. When she is not writing, she can be found playing the clarinet in the UConn Marching Band, showing her Husky pride to prospective students as a tour guide, practicing yoga, or enjoying a matcha or chai tea. |
Graduate Tutors |
|
 |
Ali Ali is a graduate student studying brain and language development in infants, with the goal of a future career in psychological research. Just like the infants he studies, Ali too longs for days filled with sleep and no responsibilities. However, on days when he’s forced to contribute to society you’ll find him with the Cognition, Action, and Psychophysiology (CAP) Lab at UConn either looking endlessly at brain waves or reading countless articles on niche (but interesting!) psychological topics. On days the universe grants him free time, you’ll find Ali raving over aesthetic video games, listening to electronic-adjacent music, enjoying horror content, or brainstorming and creating outlines for book ideas (someone should push him to actually start writing one of them). |
 |
Emery Emery grew up an hour from Yellowstone Park in the mountains near Bozeman, Montana. He taught first-year writing courses at Montana State University, where he earned both his BA and MA in English Literature. Now a third-year doctoral student in the Neag School of Education, Emery’s research focuses on the intersection of post-secondary reading education, collaborative writing, neurodiverse literacies, and disability studies. Outside of academics, Emery enjoys hiking, biking, and spending time in the outdoors. |
Graduate Assistants |
|
 |
Baaqeyah Graduate Assistant Ph.D. Candidate, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Baaqeyah is a Ph.D. candidate in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department. Her research interests include developmental biology, vertebrate evolution, molecular biology, and genome evolution. Baaqeyah currently explores the phenotypic effects of genome evolution in salamanders. She is passionate about intersectional feminism, equity in education, and justice. An explorer at heart, Baaqeyah is always looking for the next adventure. In her free time, you can find her reading, traveling, visiting museums, and playing with animals. |
 |
Mariah Mariah is a first-generation graduate student from Plainville, Massachusetts studying Rhetoric and Composition. Her research interests include pedagogy, literacy, political rhetoric and linguistic justice. Mariah received her MA from University of Massachusetts Boston and has taught courses in composition, communications as well as special topics across humanities disciplines. |
 |
Tristan Tristan was a TA for MCB 2000 for six semesters and hopes to become a professor after receiving his doctorate. His research involves studying the architecture of the bacterial ribosome and its protein partners. He spends most of his time building 3D molecular models in an aspiration to make biology beautiful and accessible to everyone. Tristan’s current hobbies include finding obscure topics on Wikipedia, and eating an absurd amount of green beans. |
 |
Vashonti You can usually find Vashonti on campus listening to music while reading a novel, drawing, or waiting for her coffee in the crowded Student Union Dunkin. She has previously been a mentor at UConn’s Academic Achievement Center and with First-Year Programs as a First-Year Experience Mentor. She is continuing her work with UConn students as a First Year Experience Instructor and UConn Writing Center tutor. English has always been her favorite subject, and she plans on sharing her love for literature and writing with her future students. She is always ready to help someone with organizing and brainstorming ideas for an assignment.
|
Receptionists |
|
 |
Joshlyn Hellooo :)! My name is Joshlyn, and I’m a senior majoring in History and minoring in Anthropology! This year, I’ll be focused on narrowing down my plans for my future career and refining my grad school application (spooky!). Recently, I’ve been strongly considering becoming a history professor, entering archival/museum work, or possibly looking into journalism! In the future, I hope to travel, immerse myself in as many different cultures as possible, and become a lifelong learner. My hobbies include drawing/painting, spending time with my dog (shoutout to my perfect Teddy) + family, playing Minecraft, curating my Pinterest feed, going on long walks for sweet treats, reading (and sharing) the news, and perusing photography archive pages on Instagram (I especially love pictures from the ‘70s). |
 |
Krista Hii!! I'm so excited to start my second year at the center! In studying biological sciences I hope to pursue a career as a Physician assistant and specialize more in surgery. I love to watch tv shows and movies, hangout with friends and family, dance, and do makeup in my free time. I am also apart of the African Student Association e-board, and the Afrobina dance team on campus, so when I'm not at the center or studying ill probably be doing something that has to do with those. I love working at the center so I try and give a big smile, and good energy to everyone I see, and will continue to do this with everyone who comes into the center 🙂 |
 |
Shannon Hi! My name is Shannon, and I’m a junior nursing major. This year is especially exciting because I’ll begin my clinical practice in the hospital! I hope to gain valuable experience in patient care as I work toward my goal of becoming a pediatric nurse. Caring for others is one of my greatest passions, but I also love exploring new interests outside of nursing. Some of my favorite things include reading, watching movies, swimming in the ocean, traveling, spending time with friends and family, playing games, enjoying sunsets, and hanging out with my three cats and dog. One of my biggest dreams is to see as much of the world as possible. So far, I’ve been lucky enough to visit Germany, Switzerland, France, and most recently, Italy, where I spent a week this past summer. I can’t wait to add more countries to that list! |
Administrative Staff |
|
 |
Heon Jeon Associate Director, Writing Center I am an associate professor in residence from English department and just joined UConn Writing Center as an associate director. I majored in multilingual education for all my degrees (both undergraduate and graduate), and with that background, I have worked as a Second Language Writing specialist in UConn First Year Writing (FYW) Program since 2019. In this program, I have been teaching FYW courses, and my research interest is all about Second Language Writing. My work in this field has been highlighted through prestigious journals (RELC & Journal of Response to Writing) and conferences (Symposium on Second Language Writing, AAAL, and TESOL Convention). I am a multilingual speaker and writer in Korean and English. When I have free time, I enjoy running and playing with LEGO. |
 |
Margaret Bugingo Margaret Bugingo is a rhetorician with 9 years of experience teaching first year writing and technical communication. Her most recent work includes a 9-month Fulbright ETA award, where she built and directed the first documented writing center in Rwanda, which later evolved into a multi-year collaboration that included a community book project. Bugingo previously worked in writing center administration at Boise State University and in the fall of 2022 began working as the educational program coordinator for the writing center at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. Bugingo earned her MA in rhetoric and composition from Arizona State University in 2012 and her BA from the University of Connecticut in 2009. Bugingo is passionate about writing center work as well as international collaborations. She has a TESOL Certificate and has worked with multilingual students from South Sudan, Bosnia, El Salvador, Bangladesh, and more. In her free time, she has served on committees for Neighbors’ United: Adult Refugee Collaborative of Boise, The International Visitor Leadership Program, an educational international exchange organized by the U.S. Department of State, and ran the YALI, Mandela Washington Fellowship Program. Bugingo is an aspiring multilingual— she is actively learning Spanish and Kinyarwanda, and in her free time, she dances salsa, kizomba, and zouk. |
 |
Tom Deans I divide my time between the Writing Center the English Department, where I teach undergrad and grad courses in writing studies. Before coming to UConn in 2005, I was founding director of an interdisciplinary writing program at Haverford College, and before that was on the faculty at Kansas State. I co-edit the Oxford Brief Guides to Writing in the Disciplines and have published academic books and articles on a variety of topics, including community-based writing, writing across the curriculum, writing centers, science writing, prose style, early modern literature, and representations of literacy in sacred texts. Lately I've also been thinking about AI and writing. I collaborate with colleagues across UConn to improve how writing gets valued and taught here and I've worked with Ugandan universities on building writing programs there. |