Writing Center Staff

Dr. Amanda Fields

aka, The Sentence Slayer
Director & Associate Professor of English
she/they

Hi, everyone! I'm the Writing Center director and an Associate Professor of English. My areas of specialization are rhetoric, composition, and creative writing. I've worked at writing centers in Minnesota, Egypt, Arizona, and California, and I directed a writing center in Kansas prior to coming to Central in 2018. Those of us who work at writing centers know that, while writing may seem daunting, it can also be worthwhile and satisfying, and it can be especially helpful to converse with others during your writing process. At the Writing Center, you'll have a good conversation with a tutor and take a few steps toward your writing goals.

I'm also known as the Sentence Slayer. While I'd never be so cruel as to slay my students' sentences, I do take a sharp stake to my own! When I work with individual writers, I love to help them with coherence and concision. If you haven't guessed yet, I'm also quite fond of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Denaya Christopherson, M.A.

aka, Brainstorm
Coordinator
she/her/hers

I’m Denaya! I previously worked in the Writing Center as a Graduate Assistant, and I’m so excited to return as a Coordinator. The Writing Center is such a welcoming space and an incredible resource for students. Writers at any stage and any level can benefit from coming to see us!

I am passionate about Indigenous literatures and wrote my master’s thesis on contemporary Indigenous novels. In my free time, I enjoy reading, beading, and taking care of my cat and umbrella cockatoo.

If I were a Writing Center superhero, I’d be Brainstorm. Brainstorming is my favourite part of the writing process, and I know many techniques for generating ideas!

Sydney Lauer, M.A.

aka, Synonym Soothsayer
Coordinator
she/her/hers

I am thrilled to be rejoining the Writing Center team as a Coordinator! I recently received my MA in English at CCSU, where I worked in the Writing Center as a Graduate Assistant. The Writing Center is such a transformative, welcoming space that offers wonderful assistance at any stage of the writing process and in a wide variety of disciplines. I wrote my MA thesis on Gothic literature, specifically how genre-typical conventions impact the coming-of-age narratives of the texts’ female protagonists and in their YA Adaptation counterparts. While I am a Gothic lit nerd, I always love to expand my library. When you stop by the Writing Center, please ask me what I’m reading!

If I were a Writing Center superhero, I would be the Synonym Soothsayer! I always have a thesaurus open to experiment with different, more compelling words to convey my message in my writing. Being able to vary word choice is a powerful skill to have as a writer.

Georgine Revilloza

aka, The Curious Conqueror
Graduate Assistant Tutor, Literature
she/her/hers

Hello! I'm Georgine, a graduate student on the Literary Studies track and one of the Graduate Assistants (GAs) at the Writing Center (WC)! Working at the WC is a wonderful opportunity that lets me connect with others across different disciplines. I am thrilled to help other people with their writing, and, in turn, hone my own skills to go above and beyond.

Besides being a GA, I am also a leader in the ESGA, curating fun events for my fellow English graduate students. During my free time, you can catch me reading webcomics and manga, brainstorming new outfits to show off, drinking tea, conquering gyms in Pokémon GO, and trying out (and getting perpetually confused by) tabletop games such as Villainous and Ascension.

Please take a breath as I reveal my writing-themed superhero identity: The Curious Conqueror. Quite a shock, I know. I am absolutely fascinated by the world of writing, like investigating what works and why, and will stop at nothing to learn more! (My academic rival is an elusive figure named The Synonym Scout. Feel free to stop by the WC to learn about our tragic, heroic backstory.)

Matt Poulin

Graduate Assistant Tutor
he/him/his

I'm excited to be returning to the CCSU Writing Center as a Graduate Assistant. I previously worked here throughout my undergraduate career, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to come back in this new role. I'm currently pursuing my M.A. in Literary Studies, with an interest in rhetoric and writing pedagogy. The Writing Center's a great place to get invaluable feedback from some of the most talented writers on Central's campus. Even while I've been away, I still sometimes contact former coworkers for writing help. That said, I look forward to bringing my own talents and newfound experience to the space and building new relationships along the way.

Nikolas Dahlstrom

aka, Iconinator
Office Assistant
he/him/his

Hi! I am majoring in psychology with a minor in English. At the writing center, I work as an office assistant, a friendly face to welcome you and get you checked in for your appointment or help you schedule an appointment with one of our many writing tutors! Working at the writing center is such an amazing experience as I get to work beside my phenomenal coworkers and help assist and get to know the students of CCSU. I am passionate about psychology because I come from a family of psychologists and social workers, and I have always had an interest in how the human brain works and the effects it has on one’s emotions and behaviors. My passion for English has come from my love of reading and using writing as a tool of expression. In my free time, I love listening to music, watching tv, and most of all, shopping. My superhero name is “Iconinator,” stemming from another one of my passions: fashion. I think that fashion is such a unique form of art because it shows the personality and lifestyle of everyone, rather it be a pair of black sweatpants or a mix of intricate statement pieces.

Maryam El Khalfi

aka, Alliterating Ally
Tutor
she/her/hers

Welcome! My name is Maryam; I hope to soon learn yours. As someone pursuing both an English major and an Art minor, I view writing and painting as interchangeable processes, equally requiring an open mindset. Though it is now my major, English as a subject used to overwhelm me wholeheartedly, and outside support is what has helped me to face this and achieve that aforementioned state of mind. That has been my journey, and as a tutor, I would love to be part of yours.

Anthony Esquilin-Ortiz

aka, The Diction Daredevil
Tutor
he/him/his

Hey everyone! I am majoring in Manufacturing Management with a minor in Human Resource Management and Business. In my free time, I enjoy having fun with friends and trying new things. As student writing is a huge part of our daily lives and can sometimes become the cause of stress, I am so grateful to be a part of such an amazing and helpful resource here at CCSU. See you soon!

Jared Esquilin-Ortiz

aka, Captain Comma
Tutor
he/him/his

Hey everyone! I’m a Social Work major who loves working with people and finds writing both fun and productive. Writing has always felt like a useful way for me to organize ideas, reflect, and communicate clearly, which is why I enjoy helping others with it too. Outside of writing, I’m into photography, painting, and spending time with friends. My superhero name reflects my belief that even the smallest details, like a well-placed comma, can help writing say exactly what it needs to say.

Dulce Garcia Salcedo

Aka, Money Moves
Office Assistant
she/her/hers

Hi! I am majoring in Accounting and Finance. At the Writing Center, I help create appointments and match students with amazing tutors who can support them with their academic needs. My experience has been extremely positive, as everyone I work with is very welcoming and supportive. My primary academic interest is finance because I am strong with numbers and enjoy using them to solve problems. Outside of school and work, I love listening to music and going out with friends. My superhero name is Money Moves, which represents my confidence in working with numbers and making smart, strategic decisions while staying one step ahead.

Rachel Giroux

aka, Magic Multitasker

Hi everyone! I am a Secondary English Education major, as well as a student-athlete. As a lifelong reader and writer, I am studying to be an English teacher in the hopes of sharing my passion with others. I am excited to share the writing skills and tricks I have acquired throughout my education thus far, including narrowing down a topic and thesis statement, researching, revising, and editing. Along with books and sports, I love connecting with all types of people and learning what I can from them, as well as passing on my own knowledge! My superhero name comes from a “mastery” of multitasking, from years of juggling the demands of school, athletics, and working, in addition to the excessive number of tabs and Word documents I have open on my computer at all times. I understand how challenging it can be to stay organized with everything, especially during the writing process, but I hope to ease that stress and help in any way that I can!

Rosie LaRochelle

aka, Essay Energizer
Tutor
she/her/hers

Hi there! I am a junior Strategic Communications major, and I minor in Human Resource Management. In my free time, I love to run, work as an assistant coach for a U14 girls hockey team, cook, read, and thrift. I am energetic and love working with people. Writing assignments have always been my favorites, especially persuasive, argumentative, and analytical essays and speeches. I look forward to assisting you all with your work! My writing superhero name would be Essay Energizer. I am bubbly, energetic, and love writing essays. Let's make academic writing fun!

Giovanni Mason-Brookes

aka, The Narrative Navigator
Tutor
He/Him/His

Hello everyone! My name is Giovanni, but everyone just calls me "Gio" for short! Currently I study Art Education with a minor in Art History. You might ask why me, an art education major, is a writing tutor, and that ultimately comes down to my passion for writing. For several years, I have held the rather strong belief in the power behind words, whether they be written or spoken. Words have the power to move people, shape the world in which we live, and ultimately are a driving force in our everyday lives. When I am not studying or working, one could find me doing some type of art, reading, or just enjoying the free time I have! I look forward to working with all of you this year! 

Rishika Parmar

aka, The Optimist
Tutor
she/her/hers

Hey everyone! I’m Rishika, a senior English major. Writing has always been a favorite hobby of mine, dating all the way back to elementary school, and as a tutor, I get to explore and flourish my skills, which is pretty cool! Some of my other hobbies include singing, playing the piano, reading, binging Netflix, and consuming large amounts of frappuccinos. If I were a superhero, I’d be called “The Optimist,” because I believe in having a positive attitude while working through challenging content. Writing can be difficult at times, but it’s important to know that you’ve got this! Everything will work out in the end if you display perseverance and the dedication to learn!

Lana Phan

aka, Wonder Word
Tutor
she/her/hers

Hello, everyone! I am an English major with a minor in East Asian Studies. My major and minor enable me to combine my interests in reading, writing, and my Asian background. My love of writing comes from the idea that you can create a new world through words and imagination. Writing can make the impossible become possible! Speaking of words, whenever I am writing an essay, there is always a word at the tip of my tongue that I end up wondering about, hence my superhero alias: Wonder Word. I like watching TV shows with my sister, reading novels by June Hur, and making birthday cards for my loved ones. I am grateful to be part of the Writing Center team and will do my best to help you and others with their writing!