Meet our Staff

Dr. Trista Payte (she/her/hers) holds an Ed.D. in Educational Policy and Leadership and an M.A. in English, both from California State University Northridge. Before coming to Mt. SAC, Trista served as the Writing Programs Coordinator at California State University, Northridge where she also taught in the English and Humanities departments for over a decade. Her areas of specialization, passion, and interest include writing center theory and praxis, rhetoric and composition, writing across the curriculum, and anti-racist pedagogy. When she isn’t wearing her academic hat, Trista enjoys spending time with her two children, reading contemporary fiction and graphic novels, and hiking with her partner and her two rescue dogs.

Coming on board as an adjunct faculty in English, Nicole Blean joined the Mt. SAC team in 2006, thus ending a “freeway flyer” situation where she taught up to six classes per semester all over the SoCal map. In 2007, she joined the Writing Center full time and assisted in building the new Center in 2008. Driven by a passion for instruction, she continued teaching at least one class on the side (usually on Saturdays) in addition to her commitment to the Center. Since 2016, Nicole began serving in her current role as Writing Center Assistant Director. She has been an active member of the SoCal Writing Center Association for the past fifteen years and is also involved in the IWCA Mentorship Program. In her free time, she enjoys writing, art journaling, and “pigging out” on books.

Mauricio has been teaching ESL and English since 2003. He holds a B.A. in Comparative Literature and an M.S. in TESOL from CSUF.  He has taught reading and writing at different colleges and universities including UCI, CSUF, and Cal Poly Pomona.  Mauricio has a special interest in Second Language Acquisition and Linguistics. He grew up in Brazil and speaks three languages. He joined Mt. SAC in 2016 as an AMLA instructor, and he is happy to assist students, faculty, and staff at the Mt. SAC Writing Center!  In his free time, Mauricio is always searching for a good cup of coffee and a scenic road for a long morning drive.

Joyce studied English at CSUF where she earned a bachelor’s degree and a teaching credential. She taught British and American literature in high school for nine years. Later she earned her master’s in English with an emphasis in teaching. After taking some time off to start raising her family, Joyce returned to CSUF and spent a year focusing on writing center pedagogy and practice. She started teaching English at Mt. SAC in 2007.  Joyce joined the Mt. SAC Writing Center team in 2015 where she focuses on tutor training. She is happy in her work as an adjunct instructor working with colleagues and tutors as they provide support to Mt. SAC students and faculty.  When she is not at work, Joyce enjoys reading and discussing novels, working out, and spending time with her husband, young adult sons and their cat, Abby.

Chase holds a MA in English from Cal Poly, Pomona. He has been with the writing center as a tutor since 2022 and has worked closely with ACCESS students and the VRC. In the fall of 2023, he became an adjunct professor here at Mt. SAC and a member of the writing center’s support team staff. Chase is interested in creating accessible learning environments for students and educators alike by leveraging principles of universal design for learning and critical pedagogy. When he is not on campus, he spends his free time enjoying TTRPGS, anime, and playing with his dog Iggy.

Jackie is a Mt.SAC and CSUF alum who is now an adjunct English professor. She’s been helping Mt. SAC students in many capacities for almost 8 years now as she herself was a tutor, TC, and now a supervisor in the Writing Center where she enjoys creating and hosting workshops for fellow students. Even though she is an English major, she hopes to continue learning Spanish, French, and ASL. During her free time, she loves spending time with her dogs, Frida Kahlo, and Toni Morrison and taking Pilates.  Like most English professors and majors, during her downtime, she enjoys reading, and some of her favorite genres include fiction, horror, and memoirs. She enjoys binge watching shows and watching films—horror films especially. Jackie hopes to travel to different countries, particularly to Mexico and France.

Adolfo is a Mt. SAC alumnus who also received his B.A. and M.A. in English from Cal State Fullerton. He has tutored Mt. SAC students for the past 5 years and is excited to continue helping students here at the Writing Center in his Supervisor role. He also teaches Freshman Composition classes at Glendale Community College. He loves the world of academia, and his goal is to continue working in the classroom with students; he believes that knowledge should be shared and accessible to all. In his free time, he likes to travel to new places, exercise at the gym and outdoors, and discover new libraries to visit. Lastly, he is fluent in Spanish, as it was his first language.

Sophia is a Mt. SAC, UC Berkeley, and CSUF alum who is currently an adjunct English instructor at Mt. SAC and CSUF. Sophia has been with the Writing Center since 2014 in various roles (from tutor to TC to social media & DLA specialist), and her career path into teaching has been shaped by the wonderful students, staff, and faculty she has worked with over the years. In her free time, she enjoys learning about astrology, finding new films/TV shows to watch, and listening to music. She hopes to continue traveling to new places and crossing them off her bucket list. Lastly, she speaks Spanish and loves Spanish language music (everything from Bad Bunny to Juan Gabriel).

Soo is a Mt. SAC and UCLA alum. She is a returning part-time Project Expert/Data Analyst at the Writing Center. She specializes in project management and data analysis and is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to identify patterns, trends, insights, and solutions. One of her favorite responsibilities as a part-time Data Analyst is to develop databases and reorganize data in a readable format. She is a coffee & tea lover and enjoys trying new cafés in LA, OC, and/or SF area. Also, she loves hanging out with her dog and cat.

Addison (she/her) is so excited to be an In-Center writing specialist this year. She is majoring in Communication and will be writing for SAC Media starting in the fall. She is most looking forward to helping students feel uplifted and motivated as they write! Outside of work and school, Addison loves listening to music, trying new coffee shops, and spending time with friends. She is a film enthusiast and book lover (though she is in a bit of a reading slump at the moment). Addison is so very excited to meet new people at the Writing Center this year! 

Bella is an Audio Arts major here at Mt. SAC; she hopes to work in the music or film industry someday. She’s excited to be part of the Writing Center team where she looks forward to collaborating with others and helping students find their unique voices through writing. Of course, she’s also looking forward to the fancy coffee machine. Outside of work and school, Bella loves dancing and singing, always finding a fun way to bring creativity into her day. A true music lover, she’s always ready with a great song recommendation for anyone looking to discover something new.

Joslyn (she/her) is a current student at Mt. SAC and is pursuing her A.S. in Business Administration. She plans to transfer to a four-year university in Spring 2026 and specialize in either accounting, business law, or real estate development. In her classes English 1A and 1C, she enjoyed the experience of collaborating with other students which inspired her to become a tutor at the Writing Center. She hopes to continue learning and working with students to help support their academic journey. Joslyn also studied abroad in London during Fall 2024 and was a recipient of the Gilman Scholarship. During her free time, she enjoys thrifting, traveling, hanging out with friends, spending time with her sister, and watching shows/movies.

Ava is pursuing her major in English. Her goal is to become an English Literature professor and a published author. In middle school she fell in love with the subject. She has steadily been growing her collection of classic literature, with some antique novels printed as early as 1875. Ava has been working on several original works over the past three years. Additionally, she is collaborating with another Mt. SAC student to illustrate her first children’s story. By bringing both an analytical and creative perspective to the Writing Center, she hopes to help others grow in their writing, and perhaps, learn a few things herself along the way.

Khiem (he/him) is an English major at Mt. Sac with future aspirations to become a literature professor. He is hoping that being at the WC will not only help with his journey, but it will also assist others along the way. Writing doesn't have to be intimidating; it can be fun! In his free time, he loves playing Tabletop with close friends. While many know the name DND, they play Pathfinder. Khiem enjoys writing short stories, and he has been dabbling in poems, particularly haikus. East/south-east Asian literature is something he is hoping to delve further into, another reason for him to brush up on his Vietnamese.

Matthew currently attends Mt. San Antonio College and is in the process of completing his English AA by Spring 2025. He plans to transfer to a Cal State Fullerton to continue his passion for English by Fall of 2025. He understands the trials and errors many students experience and hopes to provide clarity through his time working in the Writing Center. This job lets him advise students through their writing process as he pursuits his passion to teach English in the future. In his free time, Matthew enjoys drafting stories, practicing guitar riffs, and seeing bands at his local venues.

Lily V. is a returning student at Mt SAC, figuring out life. After some time exploring her interests, she's started studying in the Audio Arts program. If Lily could be anything, she'd be an artist. She'd learn everything and be nothing. Lily can be more notably described as a writer. Always thinking, always writing. Art is an expression, and a lifelong journey for Lily. She's grown to realize there is so much to gain from the writing process, seeing human expression through our minds. At the Writing Center, there is a dedicated space for her and any level writer to create together without judgment, with empathy.

Jordan (he/they) is an In-Center Writing Specialist at the Writing Center. They are currently taking prerequisites for Mt. SAC’s Nursing Program. Their dream is to work in the medical field in some capacity, as they love caring for others and keeping people informed about their health. Jordan likes to spend most of his downtime at the Pride Center; his research paper for English 1C was actually the Pride Center! They are very excited to work at the Writing Center, as they’ve had extremely positive experiences while informally tutoring their peers. In his free time, Jordan enjoys photography, reading, and playing games.

Cassie (she/they) is currently a student at Mt. SAC working towards two degrees in English and Dance. She identifies as a very creative person and an art enthusiast who loves a wide variety of mediums and forms of self-expression. At Mt. SAC, they have found a close community and connection with fellow students in the Dance and English departments. She also hopes to give back to her community through working in the Writing Center and eventually becoming an English teacher. In her free time, they love to cafe hop, collect cute trinkets and vinyls, and befriend any cats she sees." 

Ali is an In-Center Writing Specialist at the Writing Center. Born in the Middle East and moved here when he was 5, he is now a third-year computer science major at Mt. SAC, where he is working toward a specialization in cybersecurity. He plans to transfer to a four-year institution in the Fall of 2025 to further his education. Ali enjoys driving, martial arts, and rock climbing, and is an avid reader with a particular interest in dystopian sci-fi, history, and psychology. He is dedicated to helping students achieve their full potential by creating a welcoming and encouraging environment. Ali believes in the value of education and is always eager to support others on their academic path.

Dominique, a current student at Mt. SAC, is majoring in Business Administration. She plans to transfer to a four-year university in 2024 and hopefully become an accountant. Reading and writing have always been something she has enjoyed, and as a tutor she is able to help others strengthen their own skills. In her free time, Dominique loves baking, specifically cakes and pies. Music is also a big part of her life, so outside of always listening to music and frequently attending concerts, she is also currently learning to play the guitar. When she needs to decompress she likes to watch hockey, or play with her dog, a husky/pit bull mix, that she recently rescued.</span > 

Jacob is currently a student at Mt. SAC majoring in Nutrition and Dietetics. During his first semester, he received tutoring at the Writing Center for his English 1A class, and the environment was a safe space for him to relax and do his homework. The Writing Center became his safe space, and he started spending most of his time there, eventually getting a job as a tutor to help other students. When Jacob is not at the center, he likes to spend his free time gaming with his friends and finding a new cafe to read and write in. 

Mayra is a current student at Mt. San Antonio College and is an English major. She hopes to transfer to Cal State LA and graduate with her bachelor’s degree. She hopes to have a career in creative writing and publishing. She is a self-acclaimed “word nerd” and hipster, and thus hopes to share her love of writing with those in the writing center who might need a push. She believes that everyone is capable of being a good writer, they just need to find what works for them. When she’s not on campus she’s playing dnd with her friends, drawing, or working on her fantasy novel. 

Drew is a student at Mt. San Antonio College studying English and philosophy. He intends to transfer to a university after finishing his associate’s degree. Drew’s experience with taking English classes and receiving tutoring for English 1C inspired him to focus on literary studies and to work at the Writing Center. He values engaging with and contributing to an educational environment that develops students’ critical thinking and writing skills. Drew is active in the Mt. SAC Philosophy Club and likes to engage in interesting philosophical discussions with his fellow club members. In his personal time, Drew enjoys reading, watching films and shows, and listening to music.

Daniel Arias is an In Center writing specialist and a second year student at Mt. SAC getting his A.S Public Health before he transfers to a 4 year to complete his B.S. Growing up Daniel had always had an attraction to literature and a love for reading combined with his desire to help people, motivated him to work at the writing center; which is an environment where he can do both. Daniel enjoys training in the gym and playing chess as he believes it keeps him physically and mentally fit. His love for music also makes him enjoy going to concerts or venues to see artists live. 

Erin is a studio arts major entering their second year at Mt. SAC. They like dedicating their time to understanding how to best express the self through art and writing and find the most inspiration in other people and their relationships. Knowing the importance of personal expression, Erin hopes to help other people learn how to best express themselves through their writing. They plan on transferring to Cal State Fullerton to continue their arts education to build a career making art for films, games, or pick up general freelance work. Outside of school, they like doing archery, reading, and is currently writing a poetry collection.

Tori (they/them) is an in-center writing specialist at the Writing Center. They are currently majoring in studio arts. Their goal is to be an art teacher at a high school, following the footsteps of teachers that taught them everything they know and giving back to their community. Working at the Writing Center will give them first-hand experience in working with others in a teaching environment and get them one step closer to their goal. Tori's hobbies include watching movies/shows, making art, going to concerts, playing video games, and hanging out with their cat, Lentils."

Jared is a second-year student at Mt. SAC as a double major in Theater Arts & Communications. He hopes to pursue a career in voice acting/acting. He plans to graduate with an AA-T degree in both majors by Spring 2027 and then transfer to Cal State Fullerton to pursue his passion for theater. Jared has a huge presence on campus, being involved with the Bridge Program as a Peer advisor and as an active member of Promise Plus, Arise, and now the Writing Center! Jared hopes to share his knowledge with students to further progress their writing process skills. Hobbies of his include model kit building, going out to live shows, and balisong flipping. 

Lucia (she/her) is an English major who not only is one of our in-center writing specialists but also the active president of the Magazine Production Club at Mt. SAC. In her youth, she lived in Mexico for almost two years, marking Spanish as her native tongue and English as her second language. She aspires to be an English professor, striving to connect with her students as well as other people through not only her future teachings but through her own professional writing work. Currently, one of her projects is a novel she has been developing over the course of 6 months related to mental health awareness in ethnic communities.

Roland is a second-year student at Mt.SAC and is majoring in Business Administration 2.0. He hopes to transfer to Cal State Fullerton by fall of 2026. He plans to become a Real Estate broker or an Accountant and wants to create his own business in the future. Starting his first job as an in-center tutor, his ultimate goal is for students to understand their thinking process and evaluate new information. Outside his school life, his hobbies include playing video games, learning geography, and investing. Most of all, he is passionate about watching e-sports, as he enjoys strategy, teamwork, and decision-making under pressure.

Tania (she/her) is currently a second-year student at Mt.SAC majoring in psychology. She has a specific focus on both developmental and social psychology, where she aspires to work in some form of counseling and therapy. As she’s preparing to transfer soon, she hopes to gain a better understanding and expertise in helping others grow! Tania's involved with the Bridge Program, where she met many helpful tutors from the WC. Tania aims to provide the same support that she received and to help as many students as possible grow confident in their writing. Tania loves any geeky media, whether that’s Batman comics or The Last of Us!

Sarah (she/her) is a current student at Mt. SAC who is majoring in English to eventually obtain a Bachelors so that she can apply to law school. She aspires to become a lawyer with a focus in immigration law or reservation law. She has loved English for as long as she can remember,  and she always had a knack for crafting arguments. She has a passion for people and guiding them to a better future as well. When she is not spending time studying at school, she works at a nursing home with patients in the activities apartment. Working in the writing center is another outlet for her to chase her love for writing while helping other writers in need. She loves the space because it shapes creativity, something she loves to practice in her free time as she paints, writes poetry, and visits antique stores. 

Rayan is a current student at Mt. SAC pursuing his goals of transferring to a 4-year college to acquire a B.S. in Biology, Biochemistry, or Neuroscience. In his classes English 1A, 1B, and 1C, he enjoyed the art of writing, so he decided to pursue a part-time job as a writing specialist in the Writing Center. He hopes to continue learning and working with students to help support their academic journey. During his free time, Rayan enjoys pick-up basketball, road trips, hanging out with friends, spending time with his brother, and watching sports.

Henry is currently attending Mt. SAC and is majoring in mechanical engineering. After taking English in the Rising-Dream cohort 2025, he realized that writing is going to follow him for the rest of his career. He is very involved on campus; he is part of many equity-based programs and identifies as a first-generation non-traditional student with a diverse background and upbringing. Henry is fluent in Spanish. He is excited to be part of the Writing Center and help as many people as possible due to his experience with academic help around the campus. Henry loves taking his son to practice soccer and attending his games.

Richard is a second-year student at Mt. SAC majoring in Addiction Counseling. His pronouns are he/him. On campus, he is an active member of the We Rise Club, where he enjoys collaborating with others who are dedicated to growth, resilience, and community advocacy. Richard is excited to work at the Writing Center because it gives him the opportunity to support students in their academic journey while also improving his own communication skills. He values the chance to learn alongside others, encourage confidence, and grow as a student and a mentor. A fun fact about Richard is that he enjoys American football. His favorite team is the Dallas Cowboys; he also enjoys fantasy football. 

In his youth, Joel studied at Biola University where he majored in Psychology and minored in Biblical Theology. After pursuing fortune and fame in Hollywood, he now studies for his Masters in English at Cal Poly Pomona. He tries to speak some Spanish and pretends to know Japanese, but he's basically monolingual. Joel loves working with students as they write, whether in the classroom or in tutoring, and tries to make assignments less painful for them, perhaps even a little fun. Outside the grind of school and work, he enjoys playing with his kids, eating sushi with his wife, volunteering at his church, and eating more sushi with his wife.

Tom holds a BA in English from CSUSB and is currently pursuing a Master’s from the same institute with a focus on English literature. Tom came to Mt. SAC’s Writing Center because of how unique and interesting the program is in comparison to other writing centers from different institutes. Lamenting on the fact, he wished he had the type of support group and community for his writing during his undergraduate education. Despite his major, Tom understands that some people just don’t like to read or write, especially for English classes, which they find boring. Because of this, he finds enjoyment in finding ways to make boring topics entertaining and engaging for people. During his free time, he likes to hike, get lost on shady trails, and get headaches. 

Nomar is currently majoring in English to eventually transfer to a Cal State where he plans to get his bachelors and masters in creative writing. He wants to write novels and comics while also being an English professor (hopefully at Mt. Sac one day). Nomar loves writing and sharing his joy with others; he found working at the Writing Center to be a great way to do so. Helping others understand something that they might have trouble with is incredibly rewarding, as well as a fun way to do something good. During his free time, Nomar loves watching films like Zodiac, Shaun of the Dead, and the Dark Knight.

Mia is a tutor at the Mt. SAC Writing Center and editorial team member of RipRap, Cal State Long Beach's literary journal. Growing up, libraries, the birthplace for her love of reading, writing, and storytelling, were a sanctuary for her. This passion for literature and community is what motivated Mia to major in English and work at the WC; the perfect place that combines her two passions. During her free time, Mia likes to draw, stargaze, play the guitar, and song-write. A poem that remains very dear to Mia’s heart is Mary Oliver’s “Dogfish;” the poem contains a line that she lives by: “Mostly, I want to be kind.

Ella is currently a student at Mt. SAC as a Communication Studies and Theatre Arts double major getting her AA degree in the former. She plans to transfer to a 4-year university in the Spring of 2024 to get her bachelor’s degree in both majors. She hopes to become a communication studies and theatre arts college professor in the future. Ever since elementary, English and writing has always been one of her main passions in academia. At the Writing Center, she wants to provide a safe space for students who want to get help on their writing assignments. In her free time, Ella enjoys performing speeches, watching movies, and crocheting. 

Ruth has graduated from Mt. SAC with an AA-T in English and an AA in Language Arts. She loves reading and writing and is studying to become a professor of English and Literature. When she was still a student at Mt. SAC, Ruth received tutoring from the Writing Center, which fueled her desire to become a tutor herself and help support other students the same way that she has received support. She is very passionate about education and wants to show others that everyone is capable of learning and developing. Ruth is Spanish/English bilingual, a first-generation college student, and loves writing poetry in her spare time.

Alexia has been working at the Writing Center since 2018, progressing from a walk-in tutor role to a TC (Tutors in the Classroom) role. Through the TC program, Alexia has been able to learn from a variety of professors and students, and it has generated many of her favorite experiences. She earned her B.A. in English at Cal Poly Pomona. Her interests include reading magical realism novels and world literature, playing video games, and listening to podcasts.

Delaney is a student at California State University, Fullerton, where she is steadily making her way towards a Bachelor’s in English. She was a student at Mt. SAC before she transferred to her current school, and she loves all things reading and writing. She thinks that writing is an excellent expression of the one thing all humans seem to love: storytelling. The WC is the on-campus home for lovers of this art form, and has the most useful tools for student writers. Not only is there the tech, like a room full of computers waiting for people to come and use them, but it also has the spirit.  When she’s not writing you can find Delaney trying to enjoy some time outdoors or listening to her CD collection during her commute.</span >

Mason is a Tutor in the Classroom for the Writing Center. He achieved his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Master of Science in Education at California State University, Fullerton. After working in educational administration for over a year, he found that he wanted to be an instructor. He hopes to obtain credentials in Social Science and Physical Education. Outside class, Mason exercises four times a week, enjoys different movies/shows, watches a variety of sports, listens to all kinds of music, hangs out with pals in real life and on Twitch, and keeps up with WWE every week. His favorite music genre is Hard Rock and his favorite wrestler is the Megastar L.A. Knight (YEAH!).

Kait is in her master’s program at Cal Poly Pomona with a double emphasis in literature. She received her bachelors degree in English education. She currently works as a Tutor in the Classroom and loves helping students follow their dreams through writing. As a neurodiverse first-generation college student, Kait knows firsthand the difficulties of getting an education and has a passion for helping students find their voice. When she is not studying or working, Kait loves collecting antique and rare classic books, spending time with her dogs, and playing video games. As she finishes up her masters program, Kait intends to teach at the college level and make working with students, her career.

April recently earned her Master's in Literary Studies with a secondary emphasis in Rhetoric and Composition from Cal Poly, where she also received her BA in Literature. While in school she worked at her campus writing center where she cultivated her passion for helping others find their power through writing and self-advocacy, which she is excited to continue here at Mt. SAC as an ACCESS TC. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, going to shows, and coaching Olympic Weightlifting at her local gym. Don't be afraid to say hi! 

Noah is a triple threat: an Embedded Tutor, Teaching Associate, and graduate student completing his M.A. in English Literary Studies at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Since 2021, he has worked in several classrooms alongside multiple professors both at Mt. SAC and his homebase, Cal Poly, and has provided dedicated writing services to over 500 students. He specializes in gothic literature and theory and currently teaches Introduction to Fiction with an emphasis on monster fiction. He is a contributor to several forthcoming academic volumes and has organized “pop-up” online symposia on topics like folk horror, Edgar Allan Poe, and the gothic subculture. Outside of academia, he enjoys long walks through the cemetery, live music, antiquing and thrifting, and dancing!

Amber is a graduate student at Cal Poly Pomona looking to earn her M.A. in English Literature in 2026. She received her B.A. in English Education and a TESOL minor in 2023 at CPP. Amber aspires to teach English at the college level to encourage students to grow not only in their academic life but personal life as well! She enjoys working with students to develop ideas, brainstorm topics, further their skills, and engage in texts. She hopes to support students to obtain their goals while creating a comfortable learning environment. Outside of school, Amber loves reading, writing (where she has taken that passion and wrote a poem book), spending time with her cat, drinking boba, and travelling abroad.

Nadelyn is a first-year student at Mt. SAC and is majoring in Biology. She hopes to transfer to a four-year institution in hopes of achieving her dream career, becoming a dermatologist. Nadelyn is involved with the Bridge Program, promise plus, and ACES around the campus. She is excited to meet new people as a writing specialist and enjoys giving support to those around her for everyone to thrive and grow. During her free time, she loves to read, binge TV shows, spend time with her cat, and try new foods.

Lorena is an English major emphasizing in Literature. She aspires to become a professor in the forthcoming years to further explore literary analysis in her lectures. While also perceiving herself as a lifelong learner, Lorena appreciates all manifestations of creativity, which motivates her to foster collaboration with you as creative writers and thinkers. In harmony with her enthusiasm and appreciation for untamed artistic expression, Lorena motivates individuals to transcend the limits of writing. Unique viewpoints of the human condition as shown in literature and personal writing is power. She believes that humans possess much to learn from one other, which she contends may enhance human consciousness in several ways.

Loisa is currently majoring in linguistics at CSUF, as she has a passion for languages and random linguistic trivia. She has studied Spanish for about 6 years and is now working on her Mandarin Chinese. This love for languages has inspired her towards teaching English as a second language, which is what she hopes to do once she graduates. This inspiration also brought her to the Writing Center, where she hopes to bring the same passion to other students. In her free time, she also loves to game occasionally (not a lot of free time these days), practice latte art, and fish keep (guppies, two shrimps, and a snail).

Nemo Engersbach (all pronouns) is a Mt.SAC psychology major pursuing a career in psychiatry, focusing on psychotic disorders and/or neurodivergence. They plan to transfer once fulfilling general education and UC psych-major transfer criteria. They hope to minor in Spanish, which they do speak at home. Beyond academics, Nemo enjoys engaging with multimedia analysis through the lens of composition which has largely contributed to their decision to work in the WC. Nemo believes collaborating with others when it comes to writing, especially with analytic, argumentative, and humanitarian prompts is entertaining! They also pride themself as someone who truly enjoys all genres of music, but feel free to test that!

Adrian (He/They) is a returning Mt. SAC alumnus, having recently acquired his B.A. in English from Arizona State University Online. During his time as a scholar at both Mt. SAC and ASU, his passion for helping peers find and refine their individual writing styles has steadily deepened as both an English Tutor and Writing Mentor, and he feels grateful for the chance at developing his skills at the Writing Center once again. His academic interests lie in the critical analysis of gender, queer, and feminist theories, while in his spare time he enjoys consuming fantasy and horror media through literature, film, and video games. </span >

Madeline (she/her/hers) or also commonly known as Maddy is majoring in animal science. Madeline hopes to pursue a career in animal science and plans to transfer to Cal Poly Pomona. During Madeline’s first semester at Mt.SAC she was introduced to the Writing Center through her English 1A Dedicated Writing Specialist. He showed her how the ins and outs of the Writing Center as well as encouraged her to become a Writing Specialist. Madeline looks forward to helping her peers the way she was helped. In her free time Madeline enjoys binge watching shows while crocheting, she loves listening to music, and spending time with her sisters!

Giovanni has a bachelor’s degree in English literature and language from Cal Poly Pomona and has worked with several on campus programs such as Arise, Bridge, Tutor in the Classroom, and the American Language Department. Furthermore, working in the American Language Department has given Giovanni an opportunity to work closely with ESL students and learn various ways to help improve any student’s English and writing skills. His favorite thing about tutoring is helping students understand the writing process which is fundamental in all writing. Giovanni started a career path as a social skill specialist and behavior interventionist where he provides social and academic services to individuals with extensive support and needs. In his free time, Giovanni likes going to restaurants, sports, and local social events. 

Robert enjoys supporting as many students as possible at any step of the writing process because he understands how difficult it can be to write or excel in areas students are not confident in. He failed his first attempt at higher education and struggled the most with English. After a long break, he enrolled at Mt. San Antonio Community College and found support, and a mentor that cultivated his abilities. He eventually transferred to UC Riverside where he got his Bachelors in English. He is now pursuing his Masters in Rhetoric and Composition and TESOL Certification. When he is not working or studying, he is doing everything he can to do nothing.

Alden is a graduate student earning a PhD in Communication at UC San Diego, where he is interested in ideas about writing and community. So, the writing center gives him a lot to be excited about! He's interested in writing as a social process and loves to engage with every stage from the blank page to the final draft. He likes to think abstractly about what counts as writing and is excited to work on and use audio-visual learning strategies to tackle all kinds of assignments. When he's not writing, thinking, or talking about writing, he's with his dogs, taking walks on the beach, or losing in video games.

Anthony transferred from Mt. SAC with an AA-T in English and graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.A. in English. Post-college, Anthony went into the Education Technology world but felt the pull to return back to Mt. SAC. He wanted give back to the community that sparked his love for education, and as a first-generation college student, he hopes to provide the same level of community and support he got. Outside of tutoring, Anthony enjoys cooking at home, going to the movie theater, and staying up way too late playing video games.

Sidney has been working at the Writing Center for about 6 years and is currently a Dedicated Specialist. He has recently gotten a B.A. in English at Cal State Fullerton and started his journey into the master's Program at the same university. His aim is to become an English professor, hopefully returning to Mt. San Antonio College to follow in the footsteps of some of his mentors. While he is not sure where his area of expertise would be, he has a deep interest in fiction books centered around race and psychology like Freud and Carl Yung. Besides being an English major, he enjoys going to the gym, basketball, mixology, music, and of course, videogames.

Alex began his journey at Mt.SAC as a student in the winter of 2022 and recently transferred to CSUF where he will be majoring in business administration. This is Alex’s first year working at the writing center and his first semester working as a DS! His desire to work at the writing center stems from a love of songwriting which taught him the freedom that comes with knowing how to articulate your thoughts, that lesson is what motivated him to want to help others find their voices. Besides songwriting his interests include playing soccer, thrifting, and studying philosophy. 

After transferring from Mt. SAC and graduating from UCI with a B.A. in English, Juan joins the Writing Center as dedicated specialist (DS).  After being away from campus for so long, he is excited for the opportunity to return to his old stomping grounds to continue the path towards his career in teaching. Having always had a knack for writing essays, helping his friends edit their papers, and ghost writing break up texts, Juan decided to put his skills and B.A. to good use here at Mt. SAC! When he isn’t working, Juan is gallivanting around the city as a photographer or playing Pokémon. 

Patrick (he/him) earned his B.A. in English & Creative Writing at Winthrop University in South Carolina before becoming a faculty writing tutor at community colleges. Helping others learn (without the responsibility of grading!) has turned into a real passion. Assisting others new to the college process and learning about the intersection between their identities and educational experiences has been very rewarding. He's excited to continue learning about and traveling around California, where he's lived for four years now. When Patrick isn't tutoring, he's been known to take other roles in industries such as education administration, animation production, and professional wrestling.

Lilianna M., otherwise known as Lily, is a current student at Mt. Sac. Lily is a first-generation college student who is majoring in fine arts with a focus on graphic design aiming to transfer in spring 2025. Writing and journaling is one of her favorite things to do on a daily basis and finds that analysis is the best part of an essay. She first discovered the WC in her English 1A class where after the session, she was left with a lasting impression. Lily enjoys making all types of art from canvases to clothing; she's done it all, including the mural behind her. In the WC she hopes to help others including herself, blossom and grow within their writing.

Ruben is a current student at Mt. SAC and is striving to achieve his A.S. Degree in addiction counseling. He hopes to transfer in the spring of 2026 to Cal. State Fullerton to further his education in addiction studies. Ruben began working at the Writing Center in the fall of 2024. He has a passion for education which is an integral part of his life. He is a lifelong learner; furthermore, he enjoys being a tutor and helping students find their hidden potential - a joyous moment. During his free time, Ruben loves riding his 1980 Schwinn Cruiser alongside the beach coast.

Bryn (they/she) is currently working towards an English Associates and hopes to pursue an M.A. in Library Science to work as a librarian. They decided to join the Writing Center team due to their passion for writing, which stems from a young age and a lot of reading. She enjoys "hearing" other people's personalities through their writing styles. They're also working with the Writing Center's lending library where students can check out books while in the center, so if you have any questions feel free to stop by the WC. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, reading, crocheting, and playing video games. 

Bernadette (she/they) is a 2nd year student at Mt. SAC. She is studying to receive an AA-T in Geography and certificates in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Drone Camera Operator. She is passionate about sustainability and environmental science and wants to incorporate sustainability with GIS to create green, environmentally friendly cities. Bernadette is working at the WC as a liaison because she enjoys helping students and connecting them to the resources they need. In her free time, Bernadette enjoys reading, playing video games, and listening to punk bands. They currently boast a 1000+ day streak on Duolingo for Mandarin Chinese. Bernadette is also a talented chef; her favorite cuisines to cook are Korean, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, and Indian.

Becky earned her AA, in Kinesiology, at Mt. SAC in the Spring 2024. She began her nursing program at Mt. SAC in Spring 2025. She started her academic journey with ESL courses and became a full-time student after her first year. While taking English classes (AMLA 80, AMLA 90, English 1A, and English 1C), Becky received valuable support from the Writing Center, which inspired her to work there and help other students succeed. As part of the Writing Center team, she greets students at the front desk and gives presentations to classes about the resources available. In her spare time, Becky enjoys cooking, spending time with her husband and daughter, and preparing for her future career in nursing.  

Ryan is a second-year student at Mt. Sac and is currently majoring in Business Administration 2.0. He plans to transfer to Cal Poly Pomona to get his bachelor's degree and possibly an MBA in the future. After graduation, he plans to start a business of his own; however, he may still change his mind and go into real estate. As a writing center liaison, he greets students who come in and directs them to their tutors. He also manages appointments and makes sure students check in and out. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, listening to music, and hanging out with friends. He also enjoys trying new food, traveling, and watching movies. 

Nicole (she/her) is currently in Mt. SAC's nursing program. After graduating, she hopes to work either as a Pediatric or a Labor and Delivery nurse. As a WC Liaison, you can find her behind the front desk, so don't be afraid to say a hello when you stop by! She is most excited about the Tuesday Tea Times and to meet more of the Mt. SAC community. In her free time, she finds that listening to audiobooks, true crime, and music while are wonderful ways to pass the time. She also enjoys doing arts and crafts (crochet, cross stitching, dice making, etc). 

Crystal (she/her) is currently a freshman at Mt. SAC. She is a Film, TV and Electronic Media major and is pursuing her AA degree. Her love for writing has extended far beyond song and poetry, as she has just completed her first situational comedy script. Crystal hopes to see her writings go beyond printed pages and onto bigger horizons. She considers being part of the Writing Center, as a Front Desk Liaison, truly beneficial because it allows her to critique her own work. She is taking Italian this fall semester and intends to travel to Italy in 2026.  She is also a mentoring “Coach” for the Rowland Heights School District.

Kiara (she/her) is currently an English major at Mt. SAC. She plans to continue her studies in literature and creative writing, with the long-term goal of becoming a professor and published writer. As a WC Liaison, you might see her around campus with a book in hand, always ready to chat about stories, plays, or films. She is most excited about connecting with other students who share a love for language and the arts. In her free time, Kiara enjoys writing essays and plays, attending theater productions, and exploring film culture.