Meet the Staff
Director
Lorraine Higgins, Ph.D. Rhetoric
Office: CCAC, Project Center, 2nd Floor
Phone: +1-508-831-5503
E-mail: ldh@wpi.edu
Dr. Higgins is Director of Communication Across the Curriculum (CxC) at WPI. In addition to promoting writing on campus through faculty development and consultation, Dr. Higgins teaches writing and rhetoric in the interdisciplinary Professional Writing Program and in the Department of Humanities and Arts. Higgins earned her Ph.D. in Rhetoric from Carnegie Mellon University (1992) and has taught composition and rhetorical theory to undergraduate and graduate students there and at the University of Pittsburgh. As former Director of Pittsburgh's Community Literacy Center, Dr. Higgins started the ARGUE project to help diverse community groups deliberate about social problems through writing. Her work on argumentation, collaborative writing, community literacy, and composition pedagogy has appeared in many professional journals and books.
Tutors
Raha Moussavi-Aghdam (Head Tutor, 10-11)
Hi! My name is Raha and I'm the Head Writing Tutor this year. I'm a senior double majoring in Chemistry and Professional Writing. This is my fourth year at the Writing Center. I have always loved to read and write, and I'm familiar with the common stumbling blocks that can be encountered while writing. My hope is to help you overcome these problems. Writing is very difficult because no matter how much you know, there is always room for improvement. There are many different things that we at the Writing Center can help you with -- from developing a topic or thesis for your paper to helping you add the final touches to a project. We'll help you with any assignment, no matter how big or small. Can't wait to meet you!
Emily Herries
Hello! My name is Emily, and I'm a senior Industrial Engineering major. Although many people don't believe writing is important at a tech school, WPI actually considers writing to be vital to its mission and to professional life, as you can see from the project requirements. I also think writing is a very important aspect of learning, and that is why I became a writing tutor. I want to help others realize that although they might encounter obstacles in writing, there are skills they can learn to overcome them. I particularly love creative writing but am also good at writing speeches and research papers. I have IQP experience, know several citation styles and can answer questions about writing with sources. I look forward to meeting you and getting started!
Byron Rodriguez (Spanish Tutoring)
¡Hola! Me llamo Byron. I'm the Spanish addition to the Writing Center. I'm a senior majoring in Industrial Engineering. I love learning, and I love challenges. Writing has always posed a great challenge, and although I wouldn't call myself a writer, I've learned how to overcome many of the obstacles that writing entails. Spanish is my native language, and I'm familiar with many of the problems that non-native speakers encounter. I am also able to help students learn Spanish by offering conversational practice. This is my second year at the Writing Center, and I am eager to learn from and to help others. I have minor experience in technical writing, specifically writing process-at-a-glance guidebooks.
Isaac Barbour
I am a junior in the Mechanical Engineering program here at WPI. In my time here, I have learned how written details help make an idea a reality. In terms of writing, this has helped me with gathering ideas and fitting them together to create a working product. I welcome tutoring sessions because I see them as an opportunity to help someone and help myself in the process.
Kaitlyn Kelley
My life's goal is to be an aerospace engineer, but I also want to pursue a second passion: writing. I'm working on a minor in Writing and Rhetoric and also tutoring in the Writing Center. I've always been a good grammar-checker. Another one of my strengths is organization. I'm good at asking questions that help others refine and categorize their ideas. When I'm not tutoring, you'll almost always find me at the pool. The swim team is a big part of my life. I am also involved in the AIAA, the aeronautics group on campus. If you want some help organizing and clarifying your writing, come find me in the writing center. I'm the one who smells like chlorine.
Rodrigo Ma
¡Hola! My name is Rodrigo Ma and I am a Spanish tutor for the Writing Center. I'm a junior majoring in Chemical Engineering, and this is my second year tutoring. I was born in Panama, but I have lived my whole life in Peru. In fact, I am a proud Peruvian! Spanish is my native language, and I'm eager to help anyone struggling with any aspect of it. Whether it's writing or conversational problems, I'll try my best to help you out. So just drop by, make an appointment or send me an email; I look forward to meeting you!
Hiral Dutia
I am a junior, double majoring in Biology & Biotechnology and Society, Technology & Policy. I have tutored undergraduate and graduate students in a variety of fields, helping with assignments from philosophy papers to application essays, from IQPs to graduate theses. As a bio major, I am experienced with writing lab reports. As a social science major, I can assist with case briefs, policy analyses, and speeches. I am News Editor for The Towers, so I am proficient in editing and graphic design. I completed my inquiry seminar on prose style last year and have also been the designated tutor for inquiry seminars on environmental history, so I am familiar with the entire research process, from conducting good library research to tightening up sentences in a final written report. English is my second language, and I enjoy helping students who are still learning English; I am also adept at explaining grammar rules to those who just need to brush up on the basics.
Kayla Schutte
Hi! My name is Kayla. I'll be a senior this year, majoring in Environmental Studies. This is my first year as a tutor in the Writing Center and I'm very excited! I love writing and really enjoy helping others develop ideas. I'm very familiar with formal research papers, creative essays, and IQP's. I am happy to work with you in all stages of your writing, whether it be brainstorming and researching, organizing your ideas, or helping with grammar and citation.
Ashley Saylor
Hey there, my name is Ashley. This is my first year as a writing tutor. I am a senior, majoring in Aerospace Engineering. I'm also in the Navy ROTC program at Holy Cross, so I keep busy. I am a people person and really enjoy helping others, so don't hesitate to come in and ask questions about your papers, projects, or personal writing! I'm comfortable with constructing and organizing the Major Qualifying Projects, and I enjoy helping students develop their ideas.
Ethan Connors
Hey, I'm Ethan, and this is my first year with the team of tutors at the Writing Center. I'm a Junior majoring in Aerospace Engineering, and I'm also a Navy Midshipman. I've always loved writing and see its uses across my classes and projects here at WPI. Writing is an integral part of all areas of study, and the Writing Center is a invaluable resource to all students. Come by and find me -- I would love to sit down and work with you on any writing project or oral presentation. I especially enjoy working with history and creative writing pieces.
Tim Shaffer
Hello, I'm Tim. Although this is my first year tutoring, I've been helping friends and peers with their writing for years. I hope I can help you, too. I'm a double major in Aerospace Engineering and Humanities (with a concentration in Writing and Rhetoric) and belong to several on-campus student groups where I have helped with writing as well. From lab reports to club baners, I'd be glad to help you!
Amy Bourgeois
Hi, I'm Amy, a Chemical Engineering junior minoring in English. This is my first year at the Writing Center. I love to read others' work, give feedback, and talk through ideas for paper. In my major, I have a lot of experience writing formal, technical reports and incorporating multiple sources. I particularly enjoy literary analysis and humanities thesis papers. Those areas are definitely my strengths, but I'm happy to work on any type of paper, at any stage in the process!
Jean Paul Miralda
Hey writers! My name is Jean Paul, and I am a sophomore here at WPI. I am majoring in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Materials. Writing has always been of great interest to me because it is one of the most valuable communication skills that we have. I have plenty of writing experience, from labs to essays to historical investigations and poetry. I like to help braistorm and to organize the structure of papers, but I will be more than glad to help you out in any area of your writing!
Nick DeMarinis
My name is Nick, and I'm a sophomore and an ECE/CS double major with a minor in Writing and Rhetoric. Most of my experience lies in organizing and writing research papers. This is my first year as a writing tutor, but I've spent a lot of time helping my friends work out their ideas. I look forward to working with you!
Samantha Varnerin
Hello, my name is Sam Varnerin and I am a sophomore in the Civil Engineering Department with a minor in Organizational Leadership. Writing was one of my favorite subjects growing up, and I have helped friends with their writing assignments over the years. I have experience with analysis papers, proposals, and powerpoint presentations. As the secretary of the Newman Club, I am adept at working with details, and I am especially good at determining with details may best support a thesis. I am also the Alumni Coordinator for the Ballroom Dance Team, which gives me the opportunity to keep practicing my writing skill in our quarterly newsletter. I am more than willing to lend an open ear for any concerns you have with your assignments, and I look forward to meeting you!
Connor Ellison
Melanie Laberge
Gabriela Nunez
Welcome! My name is Gabriela, and I'm an Environmental Sciences and International Studies double major. This is my first year as a tutor in the Writing Center, but don't be fooled: I have ample experience in writing. I have worked with translations, technical documents, speeches, reports, and essays. My strengths are outlining, organizing ideas, and research. Furthermore, I have a secret passion for grammar and spelling. I have been helping my classmates with their grammar and spelling issues since middle school. I can't wait to help you become a better writer!
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: October 22, 2010 17:18:05