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

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

K. 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

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

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