Undergraduate Writing Peer Tutors and Student Administrative Assistants

Undergraduate Peer Tutors

Aisling Alvarez (she/her)

Aisling Alvarez (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: English, Minor: Creative Writing
Here are some rapid fire fun facts about me: I love books, anime, manga, and I’d like to work for a publishing company one day! I’m minoring in creative writing so I love refining concepts and experimental writing. I also have experience in journalism from working as an intern with UCI’s New Swan Shakespeare Center, and Humanities Core acclimated me to writing technical pieces. Everybody has a different process when it comes to writing so I look forward to meeting and working with you all!

Fiorella Barreto (she/her)

Fiorella Barreto (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Criminology, Law, & Society and History
I love the beach, hanging out with my friends, and I hope to be an immigration attorney in the future. As for my writing, I especially enjoy reading or writing historical pieces, poetry, Statements of Purpose, and Personal Statements: I love reading about other people’s lives and accomplishments! In addition, I have a deep passion for teaching others, stemming back to teaching my parents English when they first immigrated to this country. Languages: English and Spanish.

Colin Bolek (he/him)

Colin Bolek (he/him)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Quantitative Economics, International Studies
I particularly enjoy working on research papers and finding the best ways to organize an argument (in English or Spanish), but I can also get behind a good literary analysis or creative project — basically, hit me with your best shot! Outside of the writing center, I participate in ASUCI, campus research, the CHC, and love spending time running, reading, and trying to keep up with classes. Excited to get to work with you all and your wonderful writing!

Kade Brown (he/him)

Kade Brown (he/him)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Film & Media Studies with an emphasis on television writing.
This year will be my second year working as a peer tutor and social media head at the UCI Writing Center. I specialize in the Humanities Core course, having experience with humanistic-centered essays on topics covered in the Humanities Core curriculum. I also love to examine personal statements and creative writing pieces (especially screenplays) brought into the Writing Center. If you identify as LGBTQ+ and/or neurodivergent, please come see me!

Jamie Li Damonti (she/her)

Jamie Li Damonti (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: History
I love writing, but as a former self-proclaimed “bad writer,” I understand how overwhelming putting together a paper can feel.  As a Humanities Core alumnus, I have experience writing rhetorical analysis essays, historical and art historical research papers, and standard literary papers, and I’m familiar with all current Humanities Core readings. I also love to read creative or political pieces, and I have limited experience with – and passion for! – legal reading and writing, especially in immigration law.

Navleen Dhot (she/her)

Navleen Dhot (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Public Health Sciences
Even as a student majoring in the sciences, writing is heavily involved in some of my classes in the form of lab reports and research papers. My favorite type of writing is generally research papers as I enjoy the process, especially finding and bringing together different sources of information, but I am more than happy to help with all types of writing. I am excited to work at the writing center to help students work through ideas, brainstorm, and refine their work! Languages: English, Punjabi

Ruth Emily Edillor (she/her)

Ruth Emily Edillor (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Public Health Sciences
I have experience in writing research projects, lab reports, and argumentative papers. I also have experience in literary analyses and personal statements. I enjoy brainstorming ideas with other students and helping them be more creative with their writing, whether it is a short story or a persuasive essay. At the Writing Center, I am excited to help students gain confidence in their writing and communication skills, as well as to guide them through the writing process. Looking forward to working with you all! Languages: Tagalog (fluent)

Sabrina Henderson (she/her)

Sabrina Henderson (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Music and English
Before working at the Writing Center, I spent time tutoring in subjects including English and History, and teaching some music lessons. I have experience with writing Humanities Core papers, and also fictional and creative writing. I love helping students to make connections in their ideas, and form complex thought provoking arguments. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with friends and family, spending time in nature, watching cheesy rom coms, and going on coffee or boba runs.
Nishagie Hettiarachchi (she/her)

Nishagie Hettiarachchi (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Education Sciences
I personally love photography, listening to music, trying new foods, taking scenic walks, and spending time with family and friends. I am really interested in creative writing and grammar/punctuation, and I’m excited to help students get through their writing blocks to see how far they can grow. I speak Sinhalese and English fluently.

 

Kelly Kang (she/her)

Kelly Kang (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Psychological Sciences, Minor: Digital Information Systems
I’m interested in interdisciplinary research in psychology, the arts, and technology. I have two years of research and writing experience, and plan on pursuing my PhD in the future. Outside of school, I engage in the performing arts and enjoy working on creative film & art projects. At the center, I can help students gain confidence in their writing by working collectively on structure, argumentation, grammar, and more!
Tara Kavasseri (she/her)

Tara Kavasseri (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Psychology, Minor: International Studies
While I have more writing experience in those subjects (and in HumCore), I’m always excited to work in new areas! My goal is to make the writing process less intimidating by helping you with any aspect of your project, including brainstorming, fleshing out your thoughts, and refining a first (or second or third) draft. Outside of school, I love spontaneous beach trips, cafe runs, and Lincoln Lawyer. Languages: Tamil (Basic speaking and writing)

Beatriz Lopez Galeana (she/her/ella)

Beatriz Lopez Galeana (she/her/ella)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Psychological Sciences
My favorite parts of the writing process are brainstorming and analysis, and I love talking through ideas. I’m familiar with multiple types of writing, from research proposals to historiographies. When I’m not in the Center or doing research, I like watching animated films, going to concerts, and visiting record stores.
Jewel Loya (she/her)

Jewel Loya (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: English
I particularly enjoy working with literary and rhetorical analysis, as well as humanistic research of all kinds. (I absolutely love literary theory!) I’d love to help you become confident in your writing abilities no matter your respective major or the disciplinary nature of the writing assignment you’re composing. Outside of the writing center, I am a part of the Humanities Honors Program, and I am currently doing independent study in theories of feminism. I look forward to helping you all think about writing in new and innovative ways! Notably, I am fluent in Spanish.

Kevin Ma (he/him)

Kevin Ma (he/him)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Biological Sciences (Human Biology)
The types of work I have the most experience in and enjoy the most are argumentative and analytical style papers. I’m also a survivor of Humanities Core and the Gen/OChem labs, so don’t be afraid to come to me for help about these classes, too! In my free time, I enjoy cooking (not the clean up part), working out, and playing video games.

Reina Maiden Navarro (she/her)

Reina Maiden Navarro (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Film & Media Studies, Minor; Creative Writing
I love working through new ideas, refining concepts, and reading creative works. My time as an English tutor in high school and Humanities Core student provided me with plenty of experience with more technical pieces too. I look forward to sharing my knowledge with you!
Abby Melton (she/her)

Abby Melton (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: English
In my free time I really enjoy playing video games, baking, and playing board games. I’ve been pretty obsessed with reading and writing poetry since middle school and for fun enjoy reading horror or fantasy novels. As a tutor, I hope I can help provide strategies to assist in the entire writing process including brainstorming, outlining, and proofreading so that you will be more equipped to tackle writing projects in the future.

Breanna Makena Moore (she/her)

Breanna Makena Moore (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Language Sciences
I enjoy working with all forms of writing, from research papers and argumentative essays, to personal statements and narrative pieces. My goal is to cultivate the confidence in others, to find comfort in their own voice, and resolve in their capacity to convey their message with effectuality, clarity, and care. Everyone has a unique writing style that deserves to be celebrated; I am excited to be a part of this process. I love all things related to language and writing, and aspire to go into speech language pathology as a career. I also enjoy books, scary movies, and listening to music. I’m excited to work with everyone!

Cathy Nguyen (she/her)

Cathy Nguyen (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Psychology
I am excited to connect with students, and I’ll do my best to ensure that students leave the session with confidence. I can support all types of writing, including but not limited to formal essays, creative writing, or personal statements. My specialty lies in any form of analytical writing that requires close reading (e.g.: literary, rhetorical, and/ or comparative analyses) which also happens to be my favorite. In my free time, I enjoy writing poems, watching video essays on YouTube, and drawing! Languages: English and Vietnamese (Speaking)

Jessica Nguyen (she/her)

Jessica Nguyen (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Business Administration
While I am familiar with organizing writing to maximize concision and understanding from a business background, I still enjoy working with more colloquial papers that allow adding in some creative flair as a departure from strictly formal writing styles. By working at the writing center, I greatly look forward to seeing and aiding in the journey of writing projects that grow from a few conceptual lines of text to the culminating product. Languages: English, Vietnamese (Speaking)
Alexia Pardos Salzano (she/her)

Alexia Pardos Salzano (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Biological Sciences
While my major does not focus on conventional writing, I still have ample experience in forming argumentative and research papers, as well as lab reports. All forms of writing are truly essential in developing one’s communicative skills and are also incredibly important outside of educational settings. I am excited to meet and help with any concerns you may have about writing! Languages: English and Spanish
Eliza Jamie Parungao (she/her)

Eliza Jamie Parungao (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: International Studies
I mainly specialize in papers relating to Humanities/Social Sciences, but I would love to expand my horizons and assist you in other areas as well! My favorite part about the writing process is developing strong theses and improving fluidity in pieces, as I find these aspects of writing great for indulging in my own creativity. I also have experience working with international students and English Language Learners, so please don’t be afraid to reach out! Languages: English, Japanese (Speaking)

Varvara Rubtsova (she/her)

Varvara Rubtsova (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Biological Sciences
I am more than happy to help with any type of writing, whether that be research papers or personal statements, and am overall here to make the writing process not feel as daunting. Looking forward to helping you all grow into stronger and more confident writers! Languages: Russian
Jennellee Samkhem (she/her)

Jennellee Samkhem (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Comparative Literature
When it comes to academic and professional writing, I’m most familiar with lending a hand in Hum. Core papers, resumes, and academic website writing. I also have writing experience with fictional stories, interview articles, semi-casual website/blog writing, and screenwriting. Looking forward to meeting you all and helping in your writing process! Languages: Khmer (Beginner)

Andie San Lius (she/her)

Andie San Lius (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Literary Journalism
I have loved writing ever since I was young, beginning with fictional stories I wrote as a kid to reporting at the collegiate level. I recently finished Humanities Core and have experience writing a variety of different styles, both creative and technical. I look forward to working with you all!

 

Ariel Thornton (she/her)

Ariel Thornton (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: English
I am very excited to work at the Writing Center and help others communicate their ideas to the best of their abilities. I enjoy helping with creative writing, research papers (like Writing 60), and literary analysis, and I’m more than happy to brainstorm ideas with someone. In my free time, I enjoy baking, watching Korean dramas, and of course, reading.
Haley Tran (she/her)

Haley Tran (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Political Science
As a junior in Campuswide Honors Collegium majoring in Political Science, I am well-aware of the vigorous writing standards expected of UCI students. My writing strengths include generating complex arguments, organization, and improving the fluidity of a paper. As a second year tutor, I super excited to be back, and I am looking forward to working with anyone in any stage of their draft!
Christina Watson (she/her)

Christina Watson (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Business Administration and English
My favorite part of the writing process is the initial research stage because I love getting passionate about a new idea. I enjoy all forms of personal storytelling and academic writing, and I have experience writing personal statements for scholarships and essays for Writing 50, Writing 60, and multiple other Humanities courses. I look forward to meeting with you and helping in any way I can!

Student Administrative Assistants

Madeline Arreguin (she/her)

Madeline Arreguin (she/her)

Student Administrative Assistant

Major: Public Health Sciences
I am a 4th year Public Health Sciences major on the pre-health track. This is going to be my third year working as a SAA for the Writing Center; it has been a wonderful experience so far. A couple of cool facts about me are that I am a fluent Spanish speaker; my favorite animals are pigs, and I love munching on pickles as a snack. I look forward to seeing you in the center!
Ailene Roque (she/her)

Ailene Roque (she/her)

Student Administrative Assistant

Major: Biological Sciences
I am a second year biological sciences major. This is my first year working at the Writing Center. I like to spend my free time reading fiction and rom-coms (especially by Ali Hazelwood), and I also enjoy re-watching Anne With an E on Netflix.
Sierra Estep (she/her)

Sierra Estep (she/her)

Student Administrative Assistant

Major: Film & Media Studies
I’m a new SAA for the 2023-24 school year. I’m a third-year Film and Media Studies major, so I really enjoy watching movies and TV shows (some of my favorites are Tangled and The Good Place)! I’m also a big fan of Disney, art, and music. In my free time, you can find me drawing, reading, writing, and wishing I was at Disneyland.
Hi'ilawelani Hailee Darla-Jean Ashley (she/her)

Hi'ilawelani Hailee Darla-Jean Ashley (she/her)

Student Administrative Assistant

Major: Business Economics, Minor: Psychological Science
This is my first year working at the Writing Center. I am majoring in Business Economics with a minor in Psychological Science. Since I was a little kid, I have always loved music. I have played the piano since I was 7, it is my favorite thing to do to relax.
Shannie Luu (she/her)

Shannie Luu (she/her)

Student Administrative Assistant

Major: English, Double Minor: Humanities & Law and Psychological Sciences
This is my first year working at the Writing Center. I would consider myself to be a music junkie–I love discovering new music and playing music. I do know how to play the piano, guitar, and ukulele (although, I am no prodigy). Some other things I like doing for fun are painting and playing volleyball. 
Elaine Noh (she/her)

Elaine Noh (she/her)

Student Administrative Assistant

Major: Computer Sciences
I started at the Writing Center this fall. My major is computer science, and I have a really cute cat named Momo! She is a long-haired siamese mix.