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.

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.

Alyssa “Mac” Angell-MacKenzie

aka, Quote Curator
Graduate Assistant Tutor
any pronouns

I love writing and I’m happy to help with yours! Before returning to my studies, I worked as an English teacher for students with autism and ADHD. I know that appreciating your individual voice and having patience are essential for improvement, both on a technical and personal level. Writing is self-expression. 

Besides creative writing, I draw portraits and dabble in making short narrative games (ok, that’s also writing—but with some code)! While I am pursuing my Master’s in English, my undergraduate degree was in Linguistics & Psychology; I love all aspects of this wonderful and peculiar system we call language. 

My alter ego is the Quote Curator: finding the perfect evidence for your argument is like detective work. Whether for literary analysis or research, my favorite part of the essay process is gathering support from the wisdom of fellow authors, then dissecting segments to squeeze out every drop of nuance. Let’s bolster those points!

Samantha Hass

aka, Composition Crafter 
Graduate Assistant Tutor, Literature 
she/her/hers

Hi, I’m Sam! I recently received my BA in English from the University of Connecticut, and I am thrilled to be starting my MA in Literary Studies at CCSU. I am excited to situate myself in the stimulating environment that is the Writing Center, and I can’t wait to help students on their individual writing journeys. My goal as a tutor is to guide writers in the right direction and to learn more about the craft along the way. In my free time, I enjoy reading, drawing, painting, watching content (I’m a huge animation fan!), and biking on offroad trails. When I’m not studying, you’re likely to find me scrawling comic strips and ideas in my sketchbook. I look forward to working with you all this year!

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.

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.

Isabella Giammarino

aka, The Storykeeper
Tutor 
she/her/hers

Hi! I’m a sophomore History and Secondary Education major who looks forward to taking the next steps in my education. In my free time, I can be found playing with my cat, Thelma, writing a novel, or hanging out with my closest friends. I found my passion for writing in high school and enjoy a multitude of writing tasks such as essays, stories, and journalism. I look forward to being your next step toward success! My writing superhero name is The Storykeeper. I find value in everyone’s literary work, each one a story worth telling.

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!

Valeria Lopez

Office Assistant
she/her/hers

I am a Graphic Design major with a keen interest in creative writing and anime. I’m happy to help in any way I can. It’s a pleasure to meet you.

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!

Seraphim Walker

aka, Miss Metaphor
Tutor
she/her/hers

Heyo! I am an English major with a minor in creative writing. My love for writing began with poetry as an emotional outlet, later evolving into the pure enjoyment of crafting short stories. In my free time, I can be found wading in a river, reading a novel by Charles Dickens, listening to The Mamas & The Papas, or hiking an Adirondack mountain. My superhero name is Miss Metaphor because I like including rhetorical devices to create layers of meaning in my writing and interpreting them in other texts! I look forward to helping you grow your writing skills and achieve your goals!

Travis Ziolko

aka, The Rhetorical Reaper
Tutor
he/ him/his

Hey everyone! I’m a political science with legal studies major hoping to go to law school after my time here at CCSU. I discovered my love for writing when I realized it’s so much more than a means to complete an assignment for a grade. Writing has been my way of organizing my ideas when my mind is a mess and is something I think everyone can learn to enjoy when done right. In my free time I fight at an MMA gym and have been competing in combat sports since I was 6 years old! My superhero name is The Rhetorical Reaper because I want to use every rhetorical device at my disposal to argue my point (to the death) in court.