Spring 2024

The Center for Writing & Learning will be open for 50-minute appointments starting Tuesday, September 5. To make an appointment yourself, please follow the instructions on our Request an Appointment page. Students are also more than welcome to 1) call us at 253.879.3404, 2) email us at cwlappointments@pugetsound.edu or 3) stop by Howarth 105 to make appointments.

Writing Drop-In Hours are held weekly Sunday through Thursday from 3-4pm. Stop by during these hours without an appointment to work on your writing assignments!

Peer writing advisor bios and hours are below.

Ainsley Feeney portrait

Ainsley Feeney

Pronouns: she / her / hers

Hi! I’m Ainsley, and I’m a double-major in Philosophy and English with a GQS minor! I’m originally from Memphis, TN, but I now call Tacoma my home. I love all things philosophy and literature, especially when it relates to social justice and feminist issues. The summer after my freshman year, I conducted research on William Blake poems through a feminist psychedelic lens, and it was amazing! I’m a proud member of the Ubiquitous They Sketch Comedy and Improv teams. In my time here, I want to focus on empathy-based peer mentoring that will not only help your grade, but will help your relationship with writing as a whole. I’m so excited to meet you!

Hours: Sunday 2-3 & 3-4pm (Drop-in), Tuesday 4-6pm, Thursday 5-7pm

Major: English, Philosophy
Minor: Gender and Queer Studies

Alyssa Shane portrait

Alyssa Shane

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Hello! My name is Alyssa, and I'm a junior majoring in history and minoring in music. I'm from Des Moines, Iowa, and I love living in Tacoma. Outside of the CWL, you can find me playing trumpet or piano in the music building, crocheting, or being a silly goose in the Ubiquitous They sketch comedy troupe. I'm super passionate about writing, and I am excited to make the process as enjoyable as possible for you!

Hours: Sunday 12-2pm, 5-6pm, Monday 2-3pm, Wednesday 2-3pm

Major: History
Minor: Music

Selfie of Andrew Benoit in front of a creek

Andrew Benoit

Pronouns: he/him/his

Hey there! My name is Drew Benoit and I am a sophomore from the Chicago suburbs. I am majoring in Sociology and Anthropology. When I'm not in the classroom or studying, you can usually bet I'm  either watching or talking about a movie. I also work at Campus Films and as an editor for The Trail. I'm nuts for Star Trek, Star Wars and the Red Sox. I love music, and I'm always looking for more punk rock bands to listen to. Drop by to talk about baseball, movies, music or anything else that suits your fancy. Can't wait to meet you!

Hours: Tuesday 1-3pm & 3-4pm (Drop-in), Wednesday 6-8pm, Friday 10am-11am

Major: Sociology & Anthropology

Brenna Sweeny CWL portrait

Brenna Sweeny

Pronouns: she / her / hers

Hello, hello! My name is Brenna, and I'm a senior majoring in English with a minor in Accounting. I have academic interests all across the disciplines, and also work as a Speech Consultant at the Center for Speech and Effective Advocacy. Though I'm originally from San Diego, California, I've embraced Washington full force and spent a semester abroad in Milan, Italy. If I'm not on campus, I'm probably dogsitting!

Hours: Tuesdays 12-1pm, Wednesday 6-7pm, Thursday 12-1pm

Major: English
Minor: Business

 

Portrait of Eliza Koch smiling and looking past camera

Eliza Koch

Pronouns: she/they

Hi everyone! My name is Eliza and I’m a junior majoring in Psychology. I’m also minoring in Gender and Queer Studies and play flute with our school of music. I grew up in Illinois, so when I’m not studying, I love to get off campus and explore; stop by some time and let me know where I should go next! In my free time, I also love to paint, watch movies with friends, and listen to music. I’m also a big fan of reading under big trees. I’m so excited to get to know what you’re passionate about! I hope to see you at the CWL soon!

Hours: Monday 10-11am, 2-3pm, 3-4pm (Drop-in), Tuesday 1-3pm, Thursday 1-2pm

Major: Psychology
Minor: Gender & Queer Studies

Ishaan Gollamudi CWL portrait

Ishaan Gollamudi

Pronouns: he/him/his

Hi! My name is Ishaan (Ih-shawn), I’m a sophomore majoring in Molecular & Cellular Biology, minoring in Bioethics and Politics & Government, and actively neglecting my social life. Outside of the classroom and lab, I enjoy writing satirical articles for The Trail, being a member of the Ubiquitous They Sketch and Improv collectives, and fiddling with jokes that may never see the light of the stage. If you drop by the CWL for writing advice and/or assistance, I promise I will spare you the worst of them, although I cannot promise deliverance from my geeking out over biology. Hope to see you there!

Hours: Sunday 9-10am, Monday 8-9pm, Tuesday 2-4pm and 8-9pm, Thursday 3-4pm (Drop-in)

Major: Molecular and Cell Biology
Minors: Politics & Government, Bioethics

Jenna Hlavaty portrait

Jenna Hlavaty

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Hey y'all! My name is Jenna and I'm from Houston, Texas. I am a senior double majoring in Gender and Queer Studies and Religion, Spirituality, and Society with a minor in Spanish. I play the clarinet in the Symphony Orchestra and am in the Honors program. I am happy to help out with assignments for Honors as well as anything written in Spanish! I spent my Spring 2023 semester in Valparaíso, Chile and am also happy to talk about study abroad during advising sessions. I love reality dating shows and reggaeton. Come by for brainstorming tips, meticulous essay revision, or just to hang out!

Hours: Sunday 6-9pm, Monday 12-2pm

Majors: Gender and Queer Studies, Religion
Minor: Spanish

2023 Fall Julian Caneda-Santos

Julian Cañeda-Santos

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Hi! My name is Julian, but I also go by Juls :) I am a senior Sociology & Anthropology major pursuing minors in Crime, Law, & Justice and Business. I was born and raised in the Bay Area and came to UPS as a member of Posse 5! I am also a Peer Advisor, so you might see me across the hall at Academic Advising. I love to craft in my free time, from crocheting to making random handmade gifts for my friends and family. I am also very passionate about food and love watching cooking shows, so I gladly welcome any restaurant or show recommendations you may have! I’m excited to work with you at the CWL and hope to see you soon!

Hours: Monday 10 - 12pm, Tuesday 11am - 12pm, Thursday 11am - 12pm & 2 - 4pm

Major: Sociology & Anthropology
Minors: Business and Crime, Law, & Justice

Maia Nilsson

Maia Nilsson

Pronouns: they/them/theirs

Hi everyone, my name is Maia and I am a junior from San Diego CA. I’m an English major with a creative writing emphasis, and I’m also a part of the honors program. I’m involved with COMBS, Crosscurrents, and I play trombone! On campus, you can find me at the climbing wall, practicing in the music building, or working in the Center. Looking forward to meeting you!

Hours: Monday 6-9pm, Wednesday 10-11am, 11-12pm (Activity Hr) & 1-2pm, Friday 12-3pm

Major: English (Creative Writing)
Minor: Spanish

Mattias Mulchi portrait

Mattias Mülchi

Pronouns: he/him/his

Howdy! My name is Mattias Mulchi, and I'm a junior from Seattle, Washington. I'm pursuing a major in History and a minor in Education. I love listening to music (especially jazz), reading the newspaper, and playing Mario Kart with friends. Drop in whenever you'd like to chat about music, movies, the last good book you read, or anything you'd like. I'm honored and excited to be a Writing Advisor, and I can't wait to work with you!

Hours: Monday 12-2pm, Wednesday 1-3 & 3-4pm (Drop-in), Friday 12-1pm

Major: History
Minor: Education

Sigrun Eide-Payne CWL portrait

Sigrun Eide-Payne

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Hi y’all! My name is Sigrun (pronounced just like it’s spelled, Sihg-run), I use she/her pronouns, and I’m a graduate student in the Master of Arts in Teaching program. I just graduated from UPS last year with a major in English and minor in Music, but I’ve taken courses across the humanities and social sciences so I’m familiar with lots of departments. I love taking my dog to the beach, playing the piano, and writing poetry and short fiction. Whether you’re looking for help with a paper, a creative assignment, or a particularly difficult reading, I’m happy to work with you, so feel free to stop by!

Hours: Sunday 9-11am, Monday 4-6pm, Thursday 4-6pm

Major: English
Other: Currently in Master's in Teaching program.

Photo of Svetlana sitting in front of a diner with a slice of cake in front of her. She is giving the camera a thumps-up

Svetlana Solodilov

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Hi! My name is Svetlana, and I am a junior from California. I am a Computer Science major who is minoring in Studio Art and Biology. I love reading (especially Stephen King novels) and rock climbing, and I have a possibly unhealthy obsession with tea. Feel free to stop by!

Hours: Tuesday 6-9pm, Wednesday 7-9pm, Thursday 10-11am

Major: Computer Science
Minors: Biology and Studio Art

Photo of Tate posing with Grizz, the UPS mascot

Tate DeCarlo

Pronouns: he/him/his

Hi all! My name is Tate DeCarlo and I am a senior studying English here at UPS. I love to read and write, and outside of school I'm interested in fashion, music, and automotive culture. In my free time I skateboard and enjoy going thrifting and cooking with friends. Editing is one of my favorite activities, and I am here to help you finish that paper!

Hours: Tuesday 9-12pm, Thursday 9-12pm

Major: English
Minor: Economics