Writing Center Contact Information

Our Staff

For general questions, call us at (909) 274-5325 or email us at: writingcenter@mtsac.edu

Trista Payte
Director
Phone: (909) 274-4559
Email: tpayte@mtsac.edu
Building: 26B-1563B

Trista Payte (she/her/hers) holds a master’s degree in English and is currently pursuing her doctorate in education, where she is conducting research on the experiences of students of color in the English Studies classroom. 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 teenage children, reading contemporary fiction and graphic novels, and hiking with her partner and her two rescue dogs.
Nicole Blean
Assistant Director
Phone: (909) 274-5616
Email: nblean@mtsac.edu
Building: 26B-1563E

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 Goncalves
Tutorial Services Specialist
Phone: (909) 274-5274
Email: mgoncalves@mtsac.edu
Building: 26B-1563D

Mauricio has been teaching ESL and English since 2003. He earned his B.A. in Comparative Literature and his M.S. in TESOL from CSUF. He has taught reading and writing at different colleges and universities including UCI, CSUF, and Cal Poly Pomona. He is currently a Tutorial Specialist and supervisor of the Tutor in the Classroom Program at Mt. SAC. Mauricio has a special interest in Second Language Acquisition and Linguistics, and he is a language learner himself. He grew up in Brazil and speaks three languages. He joined Mt. SAC in 2016, 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 Dillon
Writing Center Coach
Phone: (909) 274-5929
Email: jdillon@mtsac.edu
Building: 26B-1563A

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.
Tara Murphy
Writing Center Coach
Phone: (909) 274-5295
Email: tmurphy17@mtsac.edu
Building: 26B-1563A

Tara Murphy has taught all levels of ESL, business English, and other support courses at several community colleges in Orange County. Currently, Tara teaches AESL at Irvine Valley College and works as adjunct faculty at the Writing Center where she presents non-credit workshops on issues of grammar, rhetoric, documentation, and academic research. Tara has a BA in International Relations, a minor in Spanish and a Master of Science in Education - TESOL from California State University - Fullerton. Tara is also the proud mom of two adult daughters who attend local area universities. In her free time, Tara enjoys ocean kayaking, reading, and wine tasting with friends!
Bianca Lee
Writing Center Coach
Phone: (909) 274-5295
Email: blee@mtsac.edu
Building: 26B-1563A

Bianca has a master’s degree in English with an emphasis in TESOL and Composition Rhetoric from Cal Poly University, Pomona. She taught ESL and English Composition classes for Chaffey College, Citrus College, Mt. San Antonio College, and Riverside City College. She has over twenty – years of teaching experience. As an Hourly Instructor at the Writing Center, she is a drop – off tutor, she is a liaison with the Equity Center, and she assists in the supervision of the Writing Center support staff and tutors. Also, she is a Mountie Mentor and an Adjunct Faculty member for the English Department. Her personal interests are traveling by train and ship, spending time shopping and eating at restaurants with friends, and watching any movie that contains Dwayne Johnson.

Jackie Duran
Writing Center Coach
Phone: (909) 274-5295
Email: jduran47@mtsac.edu
Building: 26B-1563A

Jackie was originally a Mt. SAC student, who later transferred and earned her BA and MA in English from Cal State University, Fullerton. She’s been working with the writing center since 2016 where she started off as a WC tutor, then moved to a TC position, and once she graduated from school, she was able to become a faculty member working in the writing center as well as an adjunct professor here at Mt. SAC. She hopes to continue teaching, and in the future, she may even go for her Ph.D.! During her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her dogs (Toni and Frida).
Sophia O'brien
Project Expert
Phone: (909) 274-5295
Email: sobrien3@mtsac.edu
Building: 26B-1563A

Sophia is a Mt. SAC and UC Berkeley alum who is currently finishing her Master’s in English at Cal State Fullerton. Sophia has been tutoring at the Writing Center since 2014, and her career path into teaching has been shaped by the wonderful students, staff, and faculty she has worked with over the years. She enjoys going on walks and hikes with her two huskies and relaxing at home with her 19 year-old cat. She also loves traveling, music festivals, and spending time with friends and family.