Undergraduate Writing Peer Tutors and Student Administrative Assistants

Undergraduate Peer Tutors

Desirae N. Aldana (she/her)

Desirae N. Aldana (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Criminology, Law and Society; Psychological Sciences
Per the stereotypical pipeline, I grew up with a love of books and that has evolved into a love of writing! I’m most familiar with social science and humanities-type papers, but my goal is to help you find your voice in whatever piece you may write. I’m really interested in personal narratives, analytical essays, grammar/punctuation, and helping you find the general “flow” of your piece. If you’re interested in books, anime, pop culture and media, feel free to stop by and say hello!

Colin Bolek (he/him)

Colin Bolek (he/him)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Quantitative Economics, International Studies
Much like my own experience as a student, I began here primarily working with first year Humanities Core and Composition students but have since come to specialize in research papers (across disciplines as broad as English and Physics!) and professional writing like resumes, CVs, cover letters, and the like. While I love to work with students on these upper division projects, I still love the opportunity to work with writers of all years, majors, and levels of confidence, in English or Spanish. This will be my second year working in the Center, and I am very 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.

At the Writing Center for 3 years and counting! Writing can be a sensitive practice, so I want to let writers know that I am a safe place for you to express yourselves, whether that’s through an essay argument, a personal statement, or a cover letter. I work with any and all genres, but I have special knowledge and experience with the Hum. Core curriculum, Film & Media Studies major courses, and creative writing (especially screenwriting). Outside of the Center, I enjoy fashion, storytelling, playing bass, and digital/traditional illustration. If you identify as queer and/or disabled, please come see me!
Corinna Chin (she/her)

Corinna Chin (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Literary Journalism

After taking the Worldbuilding HumCore series, I have a lot of experience with rhetorical and research writing in the Humanities. I also have a strong interest in journalistic writing, especially literary journalism and reporting. I have some experience in creative writing and sociological research papers. Other than writing, come talk to me about crocheting/knitting, music, and food!
Jamie Li Damonti (she/her)

Jamie Li Damonti (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: History and Criminology, Law and Society
I love writing, but as a former self-proclaimed “bad writer,” I understand how overwhelming putting together a paper can feel! I’m also a Humanities Core survivor, so I have experience writing rhetorical analysis essays, historical and art historical research papers, and literary papers, and I’m familiar with all current Humanities Core readings! In my free time, I love to read creative or political pieces! If not writing, I’m normally yapping with anyone and everyone or baking!

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)

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. Languages: Sinhalese and English (fluent).

 

Ava Kidder (she/her)

Ava Kidder (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Psychology

I like to read and watch dramas in my free time. As a result, I simply enjoy intriguing or captivating stories, no matter the form. I would love to help people gain confidence in their writing because as someone who struggles to communicate and put myself out there, I find writing to be one of the most powerful forms of expression. I look forward to learning more about you through your writing!
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! Languages: Spanish (Fluent).

Shannie Luu (she/her)

Shannie Luu (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: English, Double Minor: Humanities & Law and Psychological Sciences
I enjoy working on argumentative essays and close reading papers (rhetorical, poetry, literary), but I also like creative writing pieces and research papers. I took Hum.Core in its current World-building theme, so I’m familiar with the readings and types of writing styles the program teaches! Even though these are the areas I’m most familiar with, I’m always open to learning about new topics and looking at other types of writing that fits your needs, whether that’s personal statements, cover letters, or scholarship essays! I like painting, playing music, going to the beach, coffee AND matcha, and I’m currently on the pre-law route.
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.

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.

Cathy Nguyen (she/her)

Cathy Nguyen (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Psychology & Neurobiology
Even if you do not enjoy writing, I hope that I can make the process more engaging, fun, or at the very least more tolerable! I can support all types of writing, including but not limited to formal essays, creative writing, or personal statements/resumes. My specialty lies in literary/ rhetorical/visual analyses and Humancore papers. In my free time, I like to draw, write poetry, and listen to Kpop. Languages: English and Vietnamese (Speaking)

Peyton Kennedy O’Neill (she/they)

Peyton Kennedy O’Neill (she/they)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Literary Journalism
I’m well-versed in academic writing, resumes, personal statements, and cover letters. I’ve also done plenty of article writing, creative writing, and rhetoric-based writing, but if you have something outside of my area of expertise, I’m still happy to help you feel most comfortable in a writing environment! Outside of writing, I spend my time listening to music (shoutout UCI Music Writers Collective), mocking up cool new graphics on Canva, and consuming so much media. If you are LGBTQ+ or you have a disability, come work with me!

Lana L. Noguera (she/her)

Lana L. Noguera (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Business Economics
I genuinely enjoy writing research-based papers as well as argumentative essays. I find it fun to formulate an argument into one cohesive piece. Additionally, I have a lot of experience in mentoring for job recruitment including resume critiques, LinkedIn critiques, cover letters, application overviews, and more! On campus, I am involved in the Undergraduate Business Association as the VP of Company Relations, and the business leadership fraternity, Lambda Phi Nu, as the Chief Operating Officer. I am so passionate about helping others grow both personally and professionally, and am excited to contribute to your success in writing!

Melinda Radilla (she/her/ella)

Melinda Radilla (she/her/ella)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Education Science and Social Ecology (Psychological Science)

I will support your writing endeavors at any stage, including understanding the writing instructions, brainstorming ideas, drafting and organizing, citations, avoiding plagiarism, and finalizing your work for submission. Whether you are working on essays, creative writing, reports, research papers, personal statements, or any other type of writing, I am happy to assist you. I can be your listener, support, and one-stop resource for all your writing needs. Languages: English and Spanish (proficient in both).
Sarah Rios (she/her)

Sarah Rios (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Political Science

What excites me about working at the writing center is being able to help students with their writing process. I’ve done more papers for my major than I can count, so I am here to assist for any prompt responses, research papers, written exams and even smaller assignments such as discussion responses. I also love doing outlines if you ever need help with that. I’ve also done a lot of cover letters and resume work if you ever need assistance on that!
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!

 

Nora Tang (she/her)

Nora Tang (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Business Economics

I am well-versed in writing cover letters and resumes, so feel free to come to me with any professional writing concerns. I have taken Writing 60, so I have experience with the Context Project and Advocacy Project. As an artist and art-lover, I really enjoy writing visual analysis papers, going to museums, and reading up about different styles of art. Through tutoring, I hope to help students feel more assured in their writing capabilities and to feel as if they are constantly improving.
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.
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!
Linda Zhu (she/her)

Linda Zhu (she/her)

Undergraduate Peer Tutor

Major: Art

I can work with all forms of writing, but I especially love creative writing and personal statements! Given my experience with academic writing, I know that writing can be tedious and overwhelming. So I am here to support and help students feel confident about their writings. In my free time, I love to dance and do video-editing. Languages: English and Mandarin (fluent)

Student Administrative Assistants

 Destiny S. Bowman (she/her)

Destiny S. Bowman (she/her)

Student Administrative Assistant

Major: Political Science and Criminology, Law and Society

I am a third year double majoring in Political science and Criminology. This is my first year as an SAA and I am excited to work with everyone! I like to spend my time hanging out with friends and family, listening to music, and finding new spots to eat at in Irvine! Hoping for a great year 🙂

Kate G.Chuidian (she/her)

Kate G.Chuidian (she/her)

Student Administrative Assistant

Major: Art 

I am a second year art major, and this is my first year working at the Writing Center. In my spare time, I love to draw, listen to music (boygenius, Hozier, and BTS are some of my favorite artists), and hang out with my friends! I’m passionate about all things creative and hope to travel to many different places in the future.

John Nguyen (he/him)

John Nguyen (he/him)

Student Administrative Assistant

Major: Business Administration; Minor: Philosophy
This is my first year at the Writing Center as a Student Administrative Assistant (SAA). I am a second-year Business Administration major with a minor in Philosophy. In my free time, I enjoy watching sports, going on hikes, playing volleyball, and spending quality time with friends. Nice to meet you!
Languages: English and Vietnamese (fluent) 
Ailene Roque (she/her)

Ailene Roque (she/her)

Student Administrative Assistant

Major: Biological Sciences
This is my second year at the writing center! I enjoy eating sushi and spending time with my little dog, Maxine (she’s a mixed poodle). Feel free to stop by if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment at the writing center!