Abigail Smith (she/her)
Major: Government & International Affairs
Minor: Sociology
Languages: English
Hello! I have the most experience with writing in the political science discipline (if for some reason you’re writing a constitution, I’m your girl), but I’m also well-versed with FYS, sociology, english, and history papers. I’m a senior, so I am also experienced with editing resumes, scholarship applications, and CVs! I can help at any point of the process – outlining, drafting, formatting, or getting those final touches done minutes before the deadline. One of my favorite parts about tutoring are all the interesting things I get to learn from reading others’ papers, so I look forward to meeting you and learning something new!
Samantha Knudson (she/her)
Major: Accelerated Nursing
Languages: English
Hello. I am our graduate student tutor but also have experience tutoring at the undergraduate level. My background is in the STEM field, as I have previous degrees in Biology and Medical Humanities. I am comfortable tutoring writing from all fields, specialties, and citation styles. My favorite papers to read are creative writing and personal philosophies; however, I also love to dig into a good lab report. I can’t wait to grow with you as writers :)
Hours: MWF | 8-10 a.m.; Thursdays | 7-9 p.m.
Kate Rivero (she/her)
Majors: English and Secondary Education
Minor: French
Hello! I love looking at papers, no matter what stage of the writing process they are in, but I find the greatest excitement in polishing and refining. As for writing styles, I am most comfortable with MLA, but I will do my best to help with any others if needed. Additionally, I am in the Civitas Honors Program and a member of Pi Delta Phi (i.e., National French Honor Society), so feel free to ask me questions about any papers you may have in those courses, too. I cannot wait to meet, work, and learn with you!
Hours: Tuesdays | 3:30-5 p.m.; Wednesdays | 7-9 p.m.
Ollie Langley Peterson (she/her)
Major: English
Minor: Mathematics
Hello! I especially love working with creative writing and research papers, but I’m comfortable with most writing assignments and projects. Feel free to bring me any paper in any stage of the writing process, and I’ll do my best to help. In the past, I’ve mostly written and worked with MLA papers, but I have some experience with APA, AP, and Chicago styles, too. For me, collaboration and mutual learning between tutor and tutee is key. I look forward to working together!
Hours: Mondays | 5-6 p.m.; Wednesdays | 10-10:50 a.m. & 5-6 p.m.
Elsa Friesen (she/her)
Majors: English and Journalism
Hi! I’ve always loved the editing stage of a paper — I call it word surgery since I’ll never be allowed in an operating room — I’m also always up for a good chat if you need help formulating ideas. I’m an editor for our school newspaper, The Mirror, so you can trust me with concision as well as AP style. I’ve taken creative writing and literature courses and am all too familiar with storytelling and literary analysis. Whatever your needs are, I’m happy to adapt and learn to help in any way I can. I’m excited to work with you soon!
Hours: Wednesdays | 6-8 p.m.; Thursdays | 7-9 p.m.
Sydnee Serck (she/her)
Major: Biology
Minor: Sociology
Languages: English
Hi! I love getting to learn about your interesting paper topics and help with storytelling. I am happy to work on any type of paper at any stage of the writing process, whether that’s brainstorming, revising, or anything in between. I have experience with personal statements, resumes, CVs, etc., so I can help with that, too. I am most comfortable with MLA, APA, and scientific formats (but I’m willing to help with any!). I look forward to seeing you in the Writing Center!
Hours: Monday | 10 a.m. - Noon & 7-9 p.m. (walk-ins)
Joleh McCullough
Majors: Classics and English
Hello! I love reading, writing, editing, brainstorming, and everything in between! I am a junior, and have changed majors several times throughout college, so I have experience writing for Political Science, History, Environmental Science, and now English and Classics classes. I have worked on policy, research, literary analysis, and all other types of papers, and I am comfortable with preparing for essay exams as well. I work mostly with MLA formatting, but I am comfortable with APA and Chicago styles too. I can’t wait to meet you and learn about all the amazing topics you’ll write about!
Hours: Mondays | 11 a.m. - Noon & 5-7 p.m.; Thursdays | 5-7 p.m.
Maya Madson (she/her)
Majors: English and Sociology
Hello! I would love to struggle over a paper with you! I enjoy co-creating ideas with tutees, brainstorming, outlining, and re-organizing papers. I am familiar with MLA and APA formatting the most. As a sociology major, I hope to bring a unique perspective to your writing and to see how we can elevate your ideas together. I also love to sweat over a thesis statement to ensure that it encapsulates all that you have to offer in your argument. I can’t wait to conversate with you!
Hours: Mondays | 10-11 a.m.; Wednesdays | 6-7 p.m.; Sundays in the Mikkelsen Library Classroom | 7-8 p.m.
Bridger Steiner-Smith (he/him)
Majors: English and Government & International Affairs
Languages: English
Hi! I love working with creative writing, persuasive essays, and research papers, but enjoy assisting with any type of writing! I have a passion for grammar and outlining, but find joy in every part of the writing process. I have the most experience writing for English, government, journalism, Civitas, and FYS classes. I also have experience with resumes, personal statements, and diversity statements. Historically, I have worked mostly in MLA style, but am familiar with Chicago and APA; I am also very willing to learn about others! I look forward to working with you!
Hours: Tuesdays | 7-9 p.m.; Wednesdays in the Mikkelsen Library Classroom | 7-9 p.m.
Myranda Griesert (she/her)
Major: Biochemistry
Minor: Medical Humanities & Society
Hey there! I look forward to being a part of your writing journey and would feel most comfortable working with you on papers from your FYS or Civitas classes. I also would be super excited to help with any chemistry or biology lab reports! One of my favorite parts of the writing process is finalizing the final details for submission, and I am most familiar with MLA style citations but also have experience with Chicago and can assist with any citation style or revising that you might need!
Hours: Mondays | 5-7 p.m.
Brynna Koerner (they/them)
Major: History, English, and Secondary Education
Minor: Classical Studies
Helloooo! Writing is such a wonderful skill, and I love to help others with developing it at any part of the process. My favorites are creative writing or research papers, but I’m also good with FYS papers, Civitas, reflections, or personal statements. If you need help with formatting, I’ve worked with APA, Chicago, and MLA. Even if I didn’t mention something specifically, I would be thrilled to help you figure it out. I hope to see you in the Writing Center!
Hours: Mondays | 7-9 p.m., Wednesdays | 5-6:30 p.m.
Julia Stelter (she/her)
Majors: English and Journalism
Hi! While I love all stages of the writing process, I especially love brainstorming and collaborating with others. I have experience writing in journalism, FYS and the Civitas Honors program, as well as traditional essays and literary analysis, but I’m ready to help with any assignment you bring in! I work best with MLA and AP style, and I’m familiar with Chicago and APA formatting as well. I look forward to seeing you in the Writing Center!
Hours: Tuesdays | 6-8 p.m., Thursdays | 5-7 p.m.
Sofia Hein
Majors: Biology and Spanish
Minors: Psychology and Neuroscience
Hi! I’m happy to work on any type of paper at any writing stage, but I am most comfortable with MLA and various science formats. I love to work on polishing and revision as well as broader outlining and brainstorming. As a fourth-year Spanish student, I am also more than happy to work on Spanish compositions as well — it helps me stay challenged! I can’t wait to meet you and work with you!
Hours: Wednesdays 10 a.m. - Noon; Thursdays | 3:30-5 p.m.
Scarlett McGuinness (she/her)
Majors: English and Journalism
Hello! I specialize in journalistic writing (hit me up for AP style questions, I could use the impromptu quizzing), news writing, and essays and literary analysis. I also enjoy creative writing and poetry! Reading and writing are both my greatest strength and two of the things I love most, and I’m excited to help you arrive at a point where you feel accomplished and proud of what’s written on your Doc. I’m most experienced in AP and MLA styles, but I can help you with whatever style you’re writing in. I can meet you there no matter what stage you’re at with your piece: developing ideas, grammatical and style checks, compiling research, etc. Can’t wait to see you!
Hours: Tuesdays | 5-7 p.m.; Thursdays | 3:30-5 p.m.; Sundays | 6-7 p.m.
Angie Sandoval (She/her)
Majors: History, Political Science, and Language, Lit, and Culture.
Hello there! I am more than open and happy to work with you on whatever part of the writing process that you are in, and I am most comfortable (and knowledgeable) with the MLA and APA formats. I would absolutely love to help with anything Historical (especially within the realms of the World Wars, and the Cold War), but all are welcome! I love learning about different topics in different fields since expanding my knowledge about the world in general is something that I have always loved. También puedo ayudarte con tu proceso de escritura en español! I’m so excited and look forward to working with you all!
Chilo Okafor (she/her)
Majors: Nursing and Sociology
Minors: Biology, Government & International Affairs, and English
Languages: English
Hey! I am very excited to help you in whatever stage of the writing process you are in! As a Civitas student, I’m well versed in Civitas papers. I also love helping with writing classes — whether it’s creative writing, FYS, and literature courses! I love working with students in the brainstorming and thesis writing process, so you can feel more confident in your work. Additionally, I’m a big grammar nerd, so I would love to help you with writing revisions as well. Moreover, I’m well versed in science writing, sociology and big thesis papers. I can’t wait to meet you and accompany you on your journey to become the best writer you can be.
Hours: Walk ins on Tuesdays (7-9 p.m.); Wednesdays | 8-9 p.m.; Thursdays at the Mikkelsen Library | 8-9 p.m.
Parker Carbonneau
Major: Data Journalism
Minors: Data Science, Computer Science and Software Development and Religion
Language(s): English
Hello! As a senior with a background in journalism, I prioritize clarity and structure. I am excited to help you with every part of the writing process. While I am most confident in AP and MLA style, I am more than willing to help with any paper. I enjoy brainstorming and outlining, and I love wordsmithing and fine-tuning edits. Bring in a rough prompt or a late-stage paper, and we can collaborate to polish your work.
Hours: Sundays | 6-8 p.m.; Mondays at the Mikkelson Library | 7:30-9 p.m.
Mustafa K. Mumtaz
Major: History and Data Journalism
Minors: Northern Plains Studies, Spanish and Religion
Language(s): English, Urdu and Hindi
Hi! I love expressing my thoughts through the process of writing. I hope to help others do the same by working through any point in the journey of a written work. I especially enjoy academic writing and journalistic work. I am also comfortable with creative writing, FYS and reflections. I prefer to use CMS citation, but I can also help with different citation styles. I look forward to meeting and working with ya’ll.
Hours: Sunday | 7-9 p.m.; Tuesday at the Mikkelson Library | 7-9 p.m.
Hannet Sedlak (she/her)
Major: Elementary Education
Minor: Art
Languages: English, Somali
Hey! I’m a senior elementary education major, and I love working through writing with students at any stage of the process. Whether you're so lost and don't know where to start, trying to organize your ideas, or looking at a finished draft that needs that extra zing! I’m here to help you. I especially enjoy helping with lesson plans, reflections, and FYS and essays. My goal isn’t to fix your writing but to hone your voice to what I know it can be and turn your ideas into the writing you want them to be. I’ve been a Journey Scholar mentor and have experience coaching, so I’m passionate about guiding others, sharing practical tips, and making the writing process feel a little less overwhelming. I’m excited to work with you and see where we can take your ideas!
Hours: Sundays and Mondays | 7-9 p.m.
