Student Writing Support Consultants

Learn more about our Student Writing Support consultants, then schedule an appointment with them in the Penji app.

Name	Bio
Abby	Hi, my name is Abby! I’m studying Ecology, Evolution, & Behavior and Anthropology, and I especially enjoy consulting on scientific writing like lab reports and research papers. I also love working on professional writing – cover letters, resumes, personal statements, and applications. As a consultant, I’m excited to help writers at any stage in the writing process to choose words that tell their own stories.
Adella	Hi, my name is Adella and I am an undergraduate junior studying Developmental Psychology and minoring in Family Social Science and Family and Community Engagement. I love working with personal statements and applications, but enjoy collaborating on all kinds of writing.
Aeda	Hi! My name is Aeda (ay-da) and I am pursuing a BA in Anthropology with a minor in Technical Writing and Communication. I am a consultant who seeks to emphasize writer autonomy and accommodation; we can approach our consultation in a way that works best for you! Within a consultation, I enjoy discussing both the big-picture and minor typographical elements of a piece of writing. In addition, I find joy in working with writers on critical analysis papers, although my experience encompasses all types of writing, including STEM. Outside of consulting, I love cooking, being outdoors, and hanging out with my dog, Aja!
Ali	Hi, my name is Ali (she/her)! I am majoring in English, along with a couple of prospective minors in Gender & Women’s Studies and Spanish. I love the collaboration students get to experience in a SWS writing consultation and the chance we get to build your writing goals with you. Our community is a supportive place where writers and consultants both have something to learn from each other. In my free time, I love to get lost in a book, go to as many concerts as I can, or plan my next travel adventure. I am looking forward to reading your work and learning together!
Alison	Hi there! I’m Alison (she/her), a PhD candidate in Writing Studies studying the rhetoric of science. I hold undergraduate degrees in both writing and biology (focusing on botany/mycology and quantitative ecology). With this background, I've become passionate about writing in the sciences, supporting graduate writers, and translating research for diverse audiences (proposals, grants, op-eds, etc). My favorite part of working at SWS is the variety of writing we encounter! I love collaborating with writers from across the disciplines and during any stage of the writing process. Outside of school and work you can usually find me hanging out with my cat playing games (board, video, and TTRPG), performing bassoon with local orchestras, and hiking with my husband when the weather is nice (74 degrees and partially cloudy is the dream).
Anne	HI! I'm Anne. I like working with students on all kinds of writing, from course essays and assignments to lab reports, dissertations, job applications, and creative writing! I've taught writing both in the US and overseas, and my favorite thing about working at the U is the incredible variety of people and writing projects I get to see each week.
Christine	Hello! I'm Christine. I am a pre-med student who loves to help people with all types of writing, such as essays, personal statements, and lab reports. Whether you need me to read over a finished draft, or to brainstorm with you ideas for what you are working on, I am more than willing to help!
Derek	My name is Derek (He/Him), I am a Junior majoring in Philosophy and minoring in Business Law. I love writing and working with philosophy and political topics. I speak three languages pretty well, English, Hmong and I am pretty decent at Spanish as well. Lastly, it is my hope to attend law school after undergrad and I look forward to working with you!
Ilke	Hi! I’m Ilke (eel-kay). I’m a third year double major in English and Journalism. I enjoy working with writing of any genre (personal statement, short story, lab report, critical essays) and I always look forward to working with different genres that are in disciplines I’m not too familiar with. The points in the writing process I love to assist in the most are brainstorming and planning, because I find the aspect of raw ideas becoming concrete arguments exciting, and I enjoy collaborating with writers in these processes. I’m a native Turkish speaker and have a 1000+ day streak on Duolingo in Spanish and Norwegian. When I’m not in class or consulting, I enjoy reading contemporary fiction, going to The Main Cinema to catch a new movie, and crocheting.
Janeth	I'm a full-time cat mom, and I major in Linguistics in my spare time. I love various forms of art, especially music, and writing. I believe that writing is about putting the intangible into words: your thoughts, emotions, and feelings. So, I like to take my time with you/your piece of writing in K'iche', Spanish, or English - You can skip the “how are you?” part with me — it takes me a while to figure that out :)
Jasmine	I enjoy supporting people on high-stakes writing (e.g., dissertations and personal statements). Also, knowing that writing can be such a lonely process, I'm happy to support writers through accountabilibuddy sessions, as well as through sessions where we have a conversation about the conceptual through-line of a project. I generally like to work with writers to identify strategies to address writer's block. I have a PhD in American Studies and have a background in Asian American Studies, Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, and Writing Center Studies. I grew up speaking Cantonese at home.
Jax	Hey! My name is Jax (they/them/their). I’m an instructor in the Department of Writing Studies, where I mainly teach WRIT 1301. I’ve been a writing tutor since 2016 and I’ve taught university courses since 2017 at various institutions between three different states (Oklahoma, Ohio, and now Minnesota!). In the writing center, it’s important for me to create a supportive and attentive space — one that especially emphasizes care and the beauty in the diversity of writers in the world. I never expect the writers I work with to come away loving writing, but I do seek to make the process less shameful and more manageable. I have experience working with all manner of projects and essays, including ones with visual or multimodal design elements. No matter where you are in your writing process, whether planning or polishing, I’ll be excited to help!
Jia	Hi! I am Jia! This year I am a junior in the CLA program. Thank you for considering SWS, I am excited to work with your writing no matter where it is in the writing process.
Joe	My name is Joe (he/him). I have a master's degree in Spanish Linguistics, another in English as a Second Language (ESL), and I'm currently working on a master's in Education with a dua K-12 licensure in ESL and Spanish. I love workino with all kinds of writing genres (research papers/ theses, lab reports, applications, etc.) and at all points in the writing process, including the prewriting stages (research, brainstorming. and creating outlines). I speak Spanish fluently, and I love traveling, learning languages, nineteenth-century, English literature, and foods from around the world.
Josie	Hello, my name is Josie! I'm studying English and Psychology, and I'm pursuing a minor in Creative Writing. I enjoy working with others to help them achieve their writing goals, and I especially like brainstorming, wordsmithing, organizing, and revising pieces of writing. Whether it's a resume or a short story that needs consulting, I'm happy to provide my support and knowledge to help you succeed!
Júlia	Hi! My name is Júlia and I am a Junior majoring in accounting and management information systems. I enjoy being outdoors and hanging out with friends and family.
Katie	Hi! I'm Katie (she/her)! I majored in English; had almost-minors in Music, Art History, and Philosophy; and took a loooong time finishing my own qualitative dissertation. I love collaborating with writers on finding ways to bust open new possibilities for writing in—or against—the university, or whatever other spaces/systems matter to them.
Kim	Hi, I’m Kim. I am both a consultant in SWS (Student Writing Support) and an instructor in the First Year Writing Program in the Writing Studies Department. I have been doing this work for over 25 years. I have consulted and taught many, many graduates, undergraduates, and pre-undergraduates. I can have a conversation with you about any type of writing. You will find me a very good listener! But professional writing is my favorite – I especially enjoy resumes, C.V.s, and cover letters. When I’m not teaching or consulting, I’m planning the next restaurant, the next trip, the next concert or play, the next dish to cook, the next art exhibit. Evenings and weekends at home, I like to cuddle with the family cat Snoopy and watch an old episode of Law and Order to relax. My current personal goal is to stop doomscrolling when I’m bored or trying to wind down. Current research says it's not good for me!
Lee-Ann	Hello! I have been a writing consultant and instructor for over 25 years, for both undergraduate and graduate student writers. I enjoy talking with student writers to learn more about their work and the kinds of feedback that will be most helpful to them.
Lisette	I'm Lisette (lee-set)! I love working on graduate school/professional school applications and anything psychology-related. I enjoy writing in general as well so I am always happy to assist with all types of writing!
Lucia	Hi! I'm Lucia (LOO-sha, rhymes with "fuchsia") (she/her/hers). I graduated in 2012 from UMN with a PhD in English with a focus on Rhetoric and Composition and Critical Theory, especially post-structuralism. I taught in college writing classrooms across the Twin Cities for a number of years before I settled into writing centers in 2018, and am grateful to have found my home here ever since. I chose writing center work because I love watching you as a writer develop over time in skills and confidence, and learning about whatever you're writing about. I look forward to working with you!
Max	Hi, I'm Max! I'm pursuing a B.A. in Mathematics with a minor in Physics, and I plan to earn my grade 5-12 teaching license in mathematics. I especially enjoy helping with argumentative papers and lab reports, but I will gladly work with you on any type of writing assignment and at any stage in the writing process. Outside of consulting, I love playing board games and Dungeons and Dragons, as well as running, reading, and walking my dog, Sascha.
Michael	I'm a UMN alum with a Comparative Literature PhD from Emory University. I love teaching writing, writing science fiction poetry, and being involved with my community. Along with teaching and tutoring, I also have experience in educational publishing.
Niya	Hi, I'm Niya! I'm an undergraduate sophomore majoring in English. I enjoy working with all kinds of writing pieces, but I especially love literary analyses, creative writing, and personal statements for any sort of application. I'm happy to chat with you no matter where you are in your writing process. When I'm not working in the Writing Center, I'm either reading, watercoloring, or cycling at the gym. I look forward to meeting with you!
Sirena	Hi! My name is Sirena. I’m majoring in English and Communication Studies, with a minor in Creative Writing. My goal as a consultant is to provide writers with a collaborative and supportive space to explore and improve their writing skills. I’m passionate about all kinds of writing, at any stage of the process; from creative to professional to scientific to literary, I have experience working with a wide range of projects and genres. When I’m not consulting and writing, I’m probably nose-deep in a book, painting, or researching with the Earth & Environmental Sciences department. I look forward to working with you!
Siya	Hi, I’m Siya! I am a third year pre-law student majoring in Political Science with a minor in Sociology of Law, Criminology, and Justice. Besides the Center, I am also involved in Undergraduate Student Government and DISHA on campus. I love all things reading and writing– from research papers to creative writing, I enjoy learning about all kinds of writing genres and academic topics. While all parts of the writing process are unique in their own ways, I particularly enjoy editing final drafts and digging into the technicalities of writers’ personal voices during a consultation. What I love most about writing center work is making writers feel more confident and empowered in their writing, while also providing some great exposure therapy in the process. Outside of my consulting work, my interests include reading (duh!), thrifting, trying new restaurants and coffee shops, listening to music, rock climbing, watching sports (football and basketball especially), spending time with friends, and watching movies/TV shows!
Snigdha	My name is Snigdha and I am a PhD candidate in Sociology, wrapping up my dissertation! In a past life, I’ve completed a BA and MA in Economics and an MPhil in Sociology, making me a rogue economist turned sociologist. While my research and teaching interests lie in critical political economy, science and technology studies, critical development and finance studies, social theory, and qualitative methods, I welcome writers from all sub-fields and disciplines, and writing across genres. I am especially keen to support writers when they are feeling stuck and can use an interlocutor, or writers who want to work through the beauty and challenges of their writing process. As a consultant, my priority is to make writers feel comfortable, excited, inspired, and confident! I speak both English and Hindi and am happy to indulge in bilingual/non-English consultations.
Thao	Hi, I’m Thao! I’m a sophomore studying Management Information Systems. I love to share and hear about different experiences that can give you a comfortable space to thrive in your writing and studying in general. So, I’m really excited to hear and help you with your writing.
Vandita	Hello! I am studying Developmental Psychology and Linguistics. I love working on just about any sort of writing, especially research proposals and applications! I am proficient in Hindi and English. I hope to be a consultant who brings care into the practice of writing consultancy.
Vanessa	Hi! My name is Vanessa, and I'm an undergraduate majoring in Technical Writing & Communication and English with minors in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies and Mathematics. I have intermediate proficiency in Mandarin Chinese. I'm most familiar with literary analysis, creative writing, and math proofs, but I enjoy working with all types of writing. My goal is to provide a safe space where writers can learn more about themselves and their writing.