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

 

Picture of Matt Dancing

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: Senior 
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!

 

 

 

 

Christopher Dennehy

Year in School: Sophomore  
Educational Background: Neuroscience/Psychology 
Favorite Book: Oryx and Crake 
Something you would not know by looking at me: I can play multiple instruments 
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: In the MUB 

 

 

Elizabeth Dion 

Year in School: Sophomore 
Educational Background: Business Administration 

Favorite Book: The Book Thief
Something you would not know by looking at me: I play tennis
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: Studying at Union Court 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jon Donahue

Year in School: Junior 
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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abigail Downer

Year in School: Senior 
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.

 

 

 

 

 

Ariane (Ari) Faro

Year in School: Senior 
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

 

 

 

 

 

Brian Heaney 

Year in School: Sophomore   
Educational Background: Communication/Economics 
Favorite Book: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton 
Something you would not know by looking at me: I have always wanted to be fluent in another language 
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: Spending time with friends, preferably outside

 

 

 

 

Kat Nguyen

Year in School: Senior 
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: Senior 
Educational Background: Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems 
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 

 

 

 

Aleigha Raymond 

Year in School: Sophomore
Educational Background: English w/ dual major in Educational Studies 
Favorite Book: Ahab's Wife 
Something you would not know by looking at me: I love DIY projects and knitting 
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: In the library 

 

 

 

 

 

Gabby Scott 

Year in School: Senior 
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: Senior 
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

 

 

 

 

Diego Smith 

Year in School: Sophomore 
Educational Background: Business Administration 
Favorite Book: Rich Dad, Poor Dad
Something you would not know by looking at me: I like to DJ in my free time 
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: On a rugby field 

 

 

 

 

 

Julia Stinneford

Year in School: Junior 
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)
 

 

 

 

 

Rebecca Thompson 

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

 

 

 

Maria Yost

Year in School: Senior 
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.

 

 

Graduate Writing Assistants 

 

Ashley Barry 

Year in School: PhD in English Composition 
Educational Background: BA in English; MA in English 
Favorite Book: The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead 
Something you would not know by looking at me: I collect vintage Pyrex dishes 
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: Cape Cod 

 

Emmanuel Bawa 

Year in School: MA Linguistics 
Educational Background: 
Favorite Book: 
Something you would not know by looking at me: I am shy
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: In the library or in class 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Nicole Cunningham-Frisbey 

Year in School: PhD in English Composition 
Educational Background: AA in Liberal Arts; BA in English/Professional Writing; MA in English 
Favorite Book: So many, I couldn't tell you 
Something you would not know by looking at me: I watch a lot of trash TV and PBS documentaries 
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: At home in my PJs, binge watching Netflix and writing 

 

Caroline Hall

Year in School: PhD in English Composition 
Educational Background: BA in English; MEd in Elementary Education; MFA in Creative Writing 
Favorite Book: Prydain Chronicles 
Something you would not know by looking at me: I've been to/worked at 9 colleges 
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: Walking around campus 

 

 

 

Wesley Hood 

Year in School: MFA in Nonfiction 
Educational Background: BA in Nonfiction Writing 
Favorite Book: It Chooses You by Miranda July 
Something you would not know by looking at me: I have a twin 
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: On my bike 

   

 

 

 

 

Kelci Johnston 

Year in School: MFA in Fiction
Educational Background: 
Favorite Book: 
Something you would not know by looking at me: 
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: 

 

 

 

 

 

Melissa Kleinschmidt 

Year in School: PhD in English 
Educational Background: BA in Secondary Ed & English, Minor in Math; MA in English 
Favorite Book: Othello 
Something you would not know by looking at me: I still have two baby teeth 
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: Somewhere quiet on campus reading, writing

 

 

 

 

 

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!  

 

 

 
 
 
 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core Staff

 

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

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Picture of Cory

Cory Chamberlain 

GSSP Liaison 

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. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

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 

 

Lauren Catucci 

Year in School: Senior 
Educational Background: Psychology and Justice Studies 
Favorite Book: A Stolen Life - A Memoir by Jaycee Lee Dugard 
Something you would not know by looking at me: I love to play video games 
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: Hanging out in Union 

 

 

 

 

 

Stella Fairall

Year in School: Junior 
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

 

 

 

 

Colleen Furey 

Year in School: Senior 
Educational Background: BA in Sociology; Minor in English 
Favorite Book: The Five People You Meet in Heaven 
Something you would not know by looking at me: I love to travel and go sailing 
If I were not at the writing center, you would find me: At the Hamel Rec Center or the MUB 

 

Holly Grodt

Year in School: Senior 
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: Junior 
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: Junior 
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!

 

 

 

 

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