Hi there! My name is Laurel and I am a senior Psychology major and English minor here at Southwestern. As a child, I adored having stories read to me. I was fascinated by a writer’s ability to create entirely new worlds from scratch, so much so, as an adult, I’ve tried to capture this same magic in my own creative writing. That being said, thinking about what I am going to write and actually doing so is not entirely an easy task for me. I want my writing to be perfect the first time and I get frustrated when I cannot put my thoughts to paper. This frustration is what led me to the Debby Ellis Writing Center initially.

Even before joining the team, I was drawn in by the writing center’s magnetism. It’s one of the first places I’ve felt that has captured the magic of my childhood stories. This is because, beyond its exterior appeal, the DEWC is a place of hope. The kind of hope that any writer, regardless of where they come from or what sort of task they are trying to surmount, can accomplish anything through collaboration, conversation, and compassion. As a consultant, I want to help people find the magic in their writing while lessening those anxieties that might surround the task at hand. It’s incredibly important to me that people know their thoughts are important, and I can’t wait to hear what sort of stories are bubbling at the surface of SU

Hi! My name is Lauren and I am a junior this year at Southwestern. I am a communication major with a double minor in business and political science. I also am a member of other organizations such as The SU Megaphone and AXID.

I think writing is a beautiful form of expression. I appreciate the art of writing in many forms as I consider myself both a cinephile and somewhat of a literarian. I’ve always used it as a way to be fully honest with myself and process my own thoughts and feelings. Part of me also has considered a career using that appreciation to create my own art. That being said, I consider myself a perfectionist when it comes to my own writing. If I feel it isn’t up to my own expectations I keep it hidden out of fear of criticism or rejection. It can be disheartening when you feel proud of something and someone picks it apart like it’s nothing. It’s been a struggle to work through my own issues with that, so I understand the hesitance of having a stranger read your work.

My job here is to help you communicate your voice in what you write. Think of me as an extension of yourself in this process. This is not a place of interrogation and judgment, and as a consultant I want to do whatever I can to help you feel comfortable and capable. Academic writing can be very subjective. It is difficult to know how to articulate your voice through the chaos of it all, but rest assured that the writing center will do our best to help you navigate through your college writing career. After all, at the end of the day we are also just students and we’re all experiencing this together.

Hey everyone! My name is Jasmyne and I’m a senior double majoring in Political Science and Spanish on a pre-law track.

For as long as I can remember, writing has always been something I have struggled with. As someone who is somewhat of a perfectionist, my struggle with the writing process brought about anxiety that would leave me dissatisfied with the work I produced. Stepping foot into Southwestern as a first-generation college student, I felt ‘behind’ compared to those around me. However, with the constant feedback and encouragement from my professors, I learned writing isn’t about perfection but rather about using your unique voice to deliver a message to the audience. Although I still struggle at times, this realization has allowed me to grow and develop confidence as a writer. My goal as a consultant is not only to help my peers find confidence in their writing but to learn from them as well!

Hope to see you soon!

Hi! My name is Allie, and I’m a junior Biology major with a double minor in Spanish and health studies. I’ve always loved reading and writing since I was a kid. I love the ability to learn about different perspectives and worlds in different voices other than my own. I also enjoy the ability to convey my own stories and ideas through different writing outlets whether it’s a more formal academic paper or a creative story written in my free time.

Being primarily in STEM, I’ve felt anxious about trying to convey facts discovered through research in ways that are both professional as well as interesting for someone to read. It’s overwhelming at first to see all of the aspects of an academic paper and try to figure out where to start. However, I’ve discovered that writing these reports can be simpler than they seem at first glance when you break the report into parts and focus on reporting the results you’ve worked hard to find. I’ve also gotten the chance to take classes in English and environmental studies that have let me develop my voice in my writing and put together works I’m proud of. As a consultant, I want to help people feel more confident in their writing and realize that writing can be a great way to express themselves!

Hello! My name is Emelia, and I am a sophomore studying English and Music and exploring the rest of the humanities. I’m involved with Alpha Phi Omega and various Wind Ensembles on campus.

As a child, I was a voracious reader. I devoured books and would talk about them to anyone who would listen to me. As I grew older, I became more interested in the effect that writing has on readers and the world. I developed a passion for the humanities, especially English. I love to explore human ideas and how they are perpetuated and reflected by what we create and consume.

As a consultant, I hope to help you with whatever you’re working with at the moment as well as to teach you skills that will carry over into your future writing. No matter what stage of writing you are at, I am here to help!

Hey guys! I’m Cherryn, and y’all can call me Cher if you’d like. I am a sophomore this year and majoring in Psychology and Kinesiology. I am from Austin, and I run track here at SU. I am excited to help students like you feel confident in their writing!

Hello! My name is Mia Figueroa and I am a rising sophomore. I am majoring in psychology pre-med but I love all of the fields of science.

I have always had a love for writing and reading. My favorite book as a child was the Lord of the Rings trilogy I could barely hold in my 4th-grade arms. I have always had a sense of exploration and imagination, and books and writing take me to places of endless adventures. Fantasy and sci-fi novels have always had a special place in my heart which has carried on to influence my adult life. Outside of this genre, however, I also enjoy medical and scientific literature. I have always cherished learning, obtaining information is an exhilarating avenue of possibilities. Deciphering terminology, anatomical structures, and scientific processes has always been a favorite of mine.

I began to write in middle school, and this is where I was often my happiest. Some of my favorite writing is creative writing. I have been doing creative writing as a hobby for over twelve years and hope to one day publish a novel that I am working on. I enjoy character creation and plot building. I pour my energy into the development of intricate stories of all genres, particularly romance. As apparent in my psychology major, I adore creating the thought processes specific to each of my characters.

Writing outside of a hobby can prove difficult. The writing process of academic papers can be very intimidating. As a perfectionist, I understand that sentence structures, grammar, and the flow of writing are all things that can make it seem impossible to know where to start. However, at the writing center, our aim is that we can make these tasks more manageable and build your confidence in writing. I believe that writing can be a vessel of personality, thoughts, and feelings. I hope that the writing center can cultivate your own voice where your important thoughts and feelings can shine through your work. I am excited to engage in academic discussions and be able to learn from your own writing talents. I look forward to meeting whoever might come for a consultation.

Hi! My name is Emma and I’m a sophomore here at Southwestern, majoring in Anthropology and minoring in English with a pre-law track.

Before college, it was all argumentative essays and response papers with the occasional creative short fiction assignment. My experience at SU has opened so many doors for the possibilities of writing in every academic field. Creative research, personal statements, visual descriptions, and others were brand-new concepts for me and I’ve enjoyed experiencing them all. While they are new and exciting, I understand how overwhelming new ways of writing may be and am happy to help you in your conquest to master them! So far, I have special experience with Art History writing (visual description and formal analysis) research in our databases, and reflective/personal writing.

I have a special relationship with writing, one that involves both awe and overthinking. I know what it’s like to love writing but doubt the quality of your work. This conundrum is what initially drew me to the Debby Ellis Writing Center. Getting someone else’s thoughts on my work helps me to feel confident in my writing and better manage my weak spots. I enjoy writing both creatively and academically and understand how sometimes the hardest part is just getting started. I hope to help you at any stage of your writing process and look forward to seeing you!

Hi, my name is Oliver. I’m a Senior with a major in environmental studies and minors in mathematics and architecture. Drawn by academic writing and thinking, I’m happy to be a consultant here at the DEWC. You can come to me with any sort of writing assignment given my balanced experience in both the humanities and STEM. I’m easygoing and look forward to assisting you throughout any stage of the writing process to the best of my ability.

Hey! My name is Aleena and I am a senior this year. As an English major, writing has always felt like a second nature. I have always loved writing, ever since I was a little kid. I remember writing fictional stories on my Grandma’s computer about anything and everything. I was most definitely influenced by the Hunger Games and Divergent dystopian era, so that had an influence on my writing. Writing is truly how I love to express myself and my ideas. When I am not writing, you can catch me at the JEDI Center (shout out to them) or in the FAB practicing viola. Outside of academics I am a part of Muslims and Allies, the Asian Student Association and Alpha Phi Omega. In my free time I love to try new cuisines or catch a movie with friends (I love a good Marvel movie). So if you need someone to cheer you on as you traverse your writing journey, or to talk about the latest restaurants in Austin with, be sure to stop by!

Hi! My name is Carson Maxfield, and I’m a senior majoring in political science and sociology. I’ve always been a strong reader, so much so I used to regularly get through books in a matter of days, and still to this day love reading. My writing, however, has had a very different course, and I struggled greatly when I was younger. Thanks to the help of many wonderful teachers, tutors, and mentors, I have turned my detest for the practice of writing into something I enjoy so much that I hope to make a career out of it!

Since then, I have come to want to share my knowledge and passion for writing, and as such, I was drawn to the DEWC. I am always looking to help people with their writing, no matter where they’re at in their process, and I am looking forward to getting to learn from all of y’all as well!

Howdy, my name is Alexander! Or Alex, if you’d prefer, I’m not picky. I’m a sophomore English major, and for as long as I can remember I’ve had a particular passion for storytelling. Film, literature, poetry, music, anything with words I’ve taken an interest in. I think of myself as a creative writer, and writing is how I spend most of my time.

For the longest time, I thought I hated academic writing. No one has ever enjoyed reading or writing an academic paper… until last year, when I realized that writing about something you love doesn’t have to be dry and boring. It can be exciting, passionate, and fun! That’s my mission in everything, to turn the dull into the intriguing and the mundane into the life-changing. And at the DEWC, it has become my mission to help you accomplish the same.

Hi! I’m Noor and I’m a senior Chemistry major and Spanish minor.

I have worked as a private tutor for the last few years in a variety of things including math, science, Spanish, and voice lessons. I have always loved helping and teaching others and that’s why I’m now at the writing center.

As a chemistry major, I unfortunately don’t get to write creatively often. However, taking courses like Anthropology and Queer Theory have given me that opportunity! Through these courses, I’ve been able to acquire a number of skills that have made my writing stand out. These are skills that I wish to share with others to help their writing improve as well.

I will also be able to help out with lab reports as I’ve written my fair share of those. I understand they may seem daunting at first, but I’m certain I’d be able to help you learn some skills to write more effective reports and understand better what’s required for them. I hope to meet with you soon!

Hey everyone! My name is Paola. I’m a senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Race and Ethnicity Studies.
As a child, I always enjoyed reading stories. Reading from a young age helped me expand my vocabulary, which passed into my writing. In elementary and middle school, I completed a reading report every summer. As I moved on to 4th grade, I had the opportunity to create a short story for a Living Values class. It awakened my interest in writing for the first time. I would sit at my desk for hours and write from excerpts to book-length stories.

As someone who speaks two languages (English and Spanish) and is a perfectionist, I had a lot of anxiety about the work produced. I was concerned that something would not make sense. I also dreaded starting the writing process because I felt that what I had to say was not as important. When I transferred to Southwestern University, the DEWC helped me develop confidence in my writing. I noticed the areas I needed to improve and stepped out of my comfort zone. My biggest project has been writing a research paper, something I had never tackled before. I felt nervous, but the different tips I learned at the DEWC became beyond
helpful! I’m an introvert, and over time I have found a place in writing where I could be myself.

I am also available to those peers that need to write papers in Spanish! I am a native Spanish speaker myself, originally from the Dominican Republic. I love teaching others about my culture and learning about theirs! It is fascinating how two may be more alike than they
think!

As a consultant, I want to provide a space where my peers feel capable of knowing what they can create, working their way to being strong writers, as well as me learning from them every step of the way.

Hi! My name is Jessie, and I am a sophomore majoring in biology and minoring in animal studies. I currently participate in cheerleading here at Southwestern and am a proud member of our EQUIP scholars.

I grew up in a small, traditional town in Southern Illinois. As a female, I found it difficult to express myself, my opinions, and even factual information in a way that people would hear, notice, and consider because of the old-fashioned mindset that most citizens in my hometown have, including many of my family members. Throughout my academic career, writing became an outlet where I could express myself clearly, and in an impactful way. Writing has opened many doors for me, and I know it will continue to.

In the future, I hope to become a zoological veterinarian, perform research, report my findings, and possibly change people’s perceptions of zoos for the better. These ambitions require clear writing and communication, which I aim to continue improving while working with all of you.

I’m sure many of you reading this have also struggled with expressing yourself at some point and aspire to better your writing the same way that I do. I am excited to help all of you write more clearly to convey your unique ideas and perspectives to the world around you.

Hi!

My name is Ashten. I am a Junior majoring in Psychology B.S. and minoring in Health Studies. Although I am a STEM consultant, I am also a writing consultant for other disciplines due to the structure of DEWS. I have taken a broad range of humanity courses that are writing intensive, so I’m very familiar with those types of essays.

I haven’t always been proficient in writing, and I’m aware of the struggles and anxiety towards creating a paper. In light of this, I found that because of my struggles, I have gained insight into breaking through writer’s block and finding motivation for a paper. Instead of overthinking every word on the page, it can be more of a creative process. This allows you to express yourself in the papers you write. Most of the time papers don’t happen all at once. You may need to sketch it out first, put some simple brush strokes down, knock out most of the big picture, and then go in with details to clean it up. In the end, writing is a creative process regardless of discipline.

In the writing center, my job is to give you the steps and guidance towards helping you create the best picture of your knowledge in a subject. No matter where you are in the writing process, I’m here to help! Who knows? Maybe, after a couple of visits writing could even start feeling fun.

Looking forward to seeing you in the center!