Meet the Staff

Writing assistants are undergraduate and graduate students at UNH who come from a variety of different majors and academic backgrounds. They are passionate about writing and love talking about writing with their fellow students.

Writing assistants continually work on their practice as writing assistants, attending staff training and development meetings throughout the semester. Undergraduate writing assistants complete a semester-long course, INCO 529: Writing Consultation, in order to learn about writing center conferencing. Graduate Writing Assistants complete a semester-long training during their first semester in the writing center.

The writing center also employs a wonderful group of undergraduate student receptionists who will welcome you to the Center during your visit. They keep the CWC running smoothly!

Interested in joining the staff?

Undergraduate Writing Assistants

Sarah Bizzotto

Year in School: Senior
Educational Background: English Literature and Theater double major, Women's Studies minor
Favorite Book: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Something you would not know by looking at me: I am an avid cat lover
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: On the third floor of the MUB, drinking coffee and writing a paper.

Matthew Ciccarello

Year in School: Senior
Educational Background: Political Science and Justice Studies
Favorite Book: Dance of Dragons by George R. R. Martin
Something you would not know by looking at me: I own a HUGE Lego collection.
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: Sitting in a café drinking coffee.

Emily Croot

Year in School: Junior
Educational Background: Neuroscience major
Favorite Book: Anything by Paulo Coelho or Kurt Vonnegut
Something you would not know by looking at me: I adore fun facts and dark chocolate
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: Trying to study but actually watching SciShow!

Jon Donahue

Year in School: Sophomore
Educational Background: English/Journalism major
Favorite Book: Micro
Something you would not know by looking at me: I am a dancer
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: Doing homework at Philly

Maura Dooley

Year in School: Senior
Educational Background: Biomedical science & medical microbiology major; English writing minor
Favorite Book: Cheating Death by Sanjay Gupta
Something you would not know by looking at me: I am an avid kayaker
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: probably at the gym

Abigail Downer

Year in School: Junior
Educational Background: English major
Favorite Book: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (at the moment)
Something you would not know by looking at me: I have three goats.
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: Out and about, reading, writing, or running.

Katie Fabiano

Year in School: Senior
Educational Background: English and Sociology double major
Favorite Book: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Something you would not know by looking at me: My favorite food is strawberry ice cream.
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: At the MUB (in the Outing Club office!).

Ariane (Ari) Faro

Year in School: Junior
Educational Background: English and Sustainability major
Favorite Book: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Something you would not know by looking at me: I play both violin and drums
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: in my dorm, at the MUB, or at Philly

Jennifer Gallagher

Year in School: Senior
Educational Background: History & Philosophy major
Favorite Book: Harry Potter series
Something you would not know by looking at me: I love to hike all summer
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: playing with my dog

Kate Heaney

Year in School: Senior
Educational Background: English and Spanish double major
Favorite Book: The Circle by Dave Eggers and Looking for Alaska by John Green
Something you would not know by looking at me: I met Jimmy Fallon when I was 7.
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: Watching Netflix or reading.

Picture of Taylor at the Patriot's Stadium

Taylor McAnney

Year in School: Senior
Educational Background: Business Marketing
Favorite Book: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Something you would not know by looking at me: I’m an avid wake boarder.
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: library basement.

Kat Nguyen

Year in School: Junior
Educational Background: Psychology
Favorite Book: the Harry Potter series
Something you would not know by looking at me: I'm an introvert.
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: Library, my room, swimming pool.

Alex Papadakis

Year in School: Sophomore
Educational Background: Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems, and Ecogastronomy double-major
Favorite Book: The Giving Tree
Something you would not know by looking at me: I'm a triplet
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: On a run in college woods

Gabby Scott

Year in School: Junior
Educational Background: English literature major
Favorite Book: The Handmaid's Tale
Something you would not know by looking at me: I have three nieces and three nephews
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: in the basement of the library

Elizabeth Sibson

Year in School: Junior
Educational Background: Politcal Science major; Environmental Conservation and Sustainability minor
Favorite Book: The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brian
Something you would not know by looking at me: I am a huge Dave Matthews Band fan
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: In the NHOC office

Julia Stinneford

Year in School: Sophomore
Educational Background: English major; Journalism minor
Favorite Book: Six of Crows by Leight Bardugo
Something you would not know by looking at me: I actually love baseball (Go RedSox!)
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: in my room, watching John Mulaney specials (or reading)

Maria Yost

Year in School: Junior
Educational Background: Biomedical Science major
Favorite Book: Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien
Something you would not know by looking at me: I have five siblings!
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: Sitting somewhere outside or walking in between classes.

Emily Zieg

Year in School: Senior
Educational Background: Linguistics major
Favorite Book: A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
Something you would not know by looking at me: I also paint!
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: Looking for unusual languages in the stacks.

Graduate Writing Assistants

Nick Anderson

Year in School: Master's in Natural Resources
Educational Background: B.S. in Marine/ Freshwater Biology
Favorite Book: The Golden Compass
Something you would not know by looking at me: I like fish
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: in or near the closest ocean, lake, river, brook, or puddle

Alicia Clark-Barnes

Year in School: PhD in English Composition
Educational Background: BA in English; MA in English; Graduate Certification in TESOL
Favorite Book: Paradise Lost
Something you would not know by looking at me: I love cheesy detective stories
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: in a park, seeking sunshine

Katie Corbett

    Year in School: Master’s student in Museum Studies
    Educational Background: BA in History, English minor
    Favorite Book: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
    Something you would not know by looking at me: I love to travel and go new places.
    If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: Reading a historical fiction novel.

Cory Chamberlain

Year in School: PhD Student in Rhetoric and Composition
Educational Background: BA English, MA English with Rhetoric Composition Specification
Favorite Book: Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
Something you would not know by looking at me: I play a lot of soccer.
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: hanging out with my dog.

Scott Lasley

Year in School: PhD Student in Rhetoric and Composition
Educational Background: BA in English, MA in English
Favorite Book: The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
Something you would not know by looking at me: I’m a big fan of B-movies and bad movies.
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: Working on the 4^th floor of Dimond.

Leanna Lostoski

Year in School: PhD in English Literature
Educational Background: BA in English; MA in English
Favorite Book: To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
Something you would not know by looking at me: I've been doing CrossFit for 5 years!
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: Depending on the weather, hiking, skiing, or visiting a brewery in Vermont!

Carly Husick

Year in School: MFA in Fiction
Educational Background: BA in Creative Writing and Philosophy
Favorite Book: Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
Something you would not know by looking at me: I danced for 19 years.
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: At home writing or watching Netflix.

W. Tyler Paterson

Year in School: MFA in Fiction
Educational Background: BA in English
Favorite Book: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, or Headful of Ghosts
Something you would not know by looking at me: I've audition for SNL
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: surfing, training BJJ

Core Staff

Andrea Engen

Year in School: Masters in English Teaching
Educational Background: B.A. in English Teaching, Philosophy Minor
Favorite Book: Marley & Me by John Grogan
Something you would not know by looking at me: I’m vegan.
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: Studying at home or in the library.

Allison Giannotti

Year in School: PhD student in Composition
Educational Background: BA in English Writing and Communication and Rhetoric, MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing
Favorite Book: Oh my heavens, my favorite book changes monthly! But right now it’s Brian Greene’s The Elegant Universe.
Something you would not know by looking at me: I have a twin (yes, there are two of me)!
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: Looking for dogs to pet.

Connor Mullins

Year in School: Masters in English Teaching
Educational Background: B.A. in English, Education with a German emphasis
Favorite Book: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Something you would not know by looking at me: I’m a huge fan of anything comic book related.
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: On the 4th floor of the library.

Morgan Plessner

Year in School: MFA in Poetry
Educational Background: B.A. in English
Favorite Book: This question is unfair, but for poetry Acrimony By Michael Hofmann, and for fiction The Stand by Stephen King.
Something you wouldn't know by looking at me: I have been swimming with sharks.
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: reading, writing, hunting ghosts, or eating toast.

Samantha Riley

Year in School: PhD student in Composition
Educational Background: BA in English, MA in Writing
Favorite Book: It constantly changes but for now it is Hunger by Roxane Gay.
Something you would not know by looking at me: I know all the lyrics to the song “Friday” by Rebecca Black.
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: Hiding in corners of UNH buildings and catching up on reading.

Receptionists

Stella Fairall

Year in School: Sophomore
Educational Background: Environmental Conservation & Sustainability and International Affairs major
Favorite Book: Outlander by Diana Gabalden
Something you would not know by looking at me: Currently planning my Canadian road trip
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: at the Barn

Holly Grodt

Year in School: Junior
Educational Background: Hospitality Management major
Favorite Book: North of Beautiful
Something you would not know by looking at me: I am a plant mom
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: Studying and drinking coffee at Saxby's

Caila Kelson-Kuchtic

Year in School: Sophomore
Educational Background: Communications major; Health Management Policy minor
Favorite Book: The Handmaid's Tale
Something you would not know by looking at me: I'm biracial
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: at the Hamel Rec Center

Julia Melius

Year in School: Sophomore
Educational Background: Nutrition/Dietetics major
Favorite Book: A Thousand Acres
Something you would not know by looking at me: I play the piano!
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: on T-Hall lawn if it's nice out!

Abigail LaPorte

Year in School: Masters in Occupational Therapy
Educational Background: Bachelor's in Occupational Therapy, Nutrition minor
Favorite Book: Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
Something you would not know by looking at me: I lived in Nebraska until I was 10.
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: In the library or at the gym.

Associate Director

Sam DeFlitch

Year in School: MFA in Poetry
Educational Background: BA in English & Religious Studies
Favorite Book: Mrs. Mike
Something you wouldn't know by looking at me: I have a twin brother. And we look nothing alike.
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: Hiking in the Whites with Moose (the dog)

Director

Meaghan Elliott Dittrich

Year in School: Ph.D. Candidate in Rhetoric and English Composition Studies
Educational Background: BA in Theater & Writing, MFA in Creative Writing, MA in English Lit
Favorite Book: There are too many! I do really like The Shipping News by Annie Proulx or nearly any British "who-done-it"
Something you wouldn't know by looking at me: I have Canadian citizenship
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: baking/ cooking, reading, or finding a really good cup of tea or seafood chowder

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