Virtual Writing Center
VWC Staff
VWC Peer Consultants
Hello! I’m Jillian Alden (she/her/hers), an aspiring Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Drama Therapist out of Antioch Seattle. I grew up in Oregon and through a long series of life events, moved to Tacoma, WA where I eventually attended the University of Washington and completed my bachelor’s degree in Psychology. When I’m not learning and working from home, I enjoy performing as a murder suspect with the Murder Mystery Company out of Seattle, and hopefully I will get to enjoy this again when the world feels a little safer from COVID-19. I love dogs, sunshine, tattoos, food, creative arts and building relationships over a cup of coffee. I also love watching the transformative process that happens through writing revision. I am excited to witness your journey and help you feel increasingly confident and proud of your own work!
Hi, I’m Juniper Andrews (she/her), and I’m excited to be on the VWC team. I am a current Couples and Family Therapy MA student and a former high school writing teacher for 10-plus years. I am in Seattle, and I love everything except for the winter weather here, but it’s worth it for our beautiful summers. When I’m not in school, you will likely find me learning new things, visiting museums, outdoor exploring, or trying a new recipe. I have been writing for fun since high school, and I especially love writing poetry. I’m passionate about equity, equality, inclusion, and social justice advocacy, Antioch’s inherent mission that I am happy to support. Going back to school to get a Master’s degree later in life has afforded me opportunities I didn’t think were possible: learning from my younger peers, staying up to date on the latest trends in therapy and research, and deciding to effect change in the time I have left. I look forward to working with you at the VWC while helping you create dynamic writing pieces that highlight your strength of voice.
Hi there! I’m Erika Casburn, a current PhD student in Antioch’s GSLC program, and recent transfer from the Union Institute and University. I’m currently putting down roots in my home state of Colorado after years of moving around with my military-member spouse. I have an English degree from the College of Charleston (where I originally went to study fishes), and an M.A. in English from the University of Colorado, as well as
certificates in Creative Writing and Philosophy and Ethics from the Union. Outside of academia I enjoy sewing, hiking around our local reservoir, and binge-watching Netflix. For me, writing is all about the journey. I’m so grateful to have the chance to journey with you!
Haley Calderwood, she/they, has been a student at Antioch University since June 2023 and is currently studying to graduate with a BA in Liberal Studies in Applied Psychology. At Antioch University's Writing Center, her specialties include assisting with essays, resumes, and using Canva for design projects. She is passionate about gardening as a source of healing and spent nearly a decade living abroad in Central America learning how to grow food and be a farmer. In her free time, she enjoys creative writing, going to see her wife do stand-up comedy, relaxing in nature, or playing video games at home. She is also constantly listening to audiobooks. Haley is a queer white/mexican/native american lesbian woman, so inclusivity and making sure people feel safe and welcome is her priority above everything else.
Hi, I'm Galey Caverly (she/they) and I am in the Marriage and Family Therapy program at Antioch University Los Angeles. I grew up in and around Los Angeles and as a child I loved to write songs and stories. For undergrad, I moved to Ohio and attended Oberlin College where I received my bachelor's degree in Politics. I lived in Cleveland for a few years where I worked on political campaigns, waited tables and played music. A few years ago, I moved back to Los Angeles and I now live with my partner and our two cats. I love Los Angeles and love exploring new parts of my hometown. Writing is a passion of mine that I've often found to be overwhelming and intimidating, and I am excited to deconstruct that with you!
Hello there! My name is Raelynn de la Cruz (she/her) and I’m currently in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy program at Antioch University Seattle. I graduated with my Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Nevada - Reno where I was born and raised, and moved to Washington with my partner after living in Las Vegas for a few years. The weather has quite literally been a breath of fresh air compared to the desert! As a more introverted person, my passions include arts and crafts (particularly drawing), reading, baking, and video games, but I also really enjoy dinner parties and karaoke with friends. Writing is such a beautiful avenue for us to not only share knowledge but also for communication and fostering connection with one another. I look forward to helping you wherever you are on your writing journey!
Hi everyone! I'm Maddie Fontaine (she/her), and am currently a master's student in the clinical mental health counseling program here at Antioch. Originally from Wisconsin, I moved to Brooklyn, NY, after graduating with a bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Studies in 2017. While in Brooklyn, I lived in a 20-person intentional community and commuted to Long Island to teach middle schoolers mindfulness, breathwork, and yoga. In my free time, I trained for the NYC marathon, got super into Ecstatic Dance and Contact Improv, and hit up the climbing gym a couple times a week. Currently I am relocating to the Seattle area with my partner after leaving NYC and being nomadic for about a year and a half. I'm looking forward to having a better city-nature balance and getting to go on lots of hikes while continuing to paint and write! It's an honor to work with you on your writing :)
Hey! My name is Kayla Gwin (she/her/hers) and I am a doctoral candidate at Antioch Online for the Ed.D. in Educational and Professional Practice: Self-Designed focus. I have a Master’s in Multicultural Education and a Bachelor’s in English Education/creative writing. I am currently a virtual high school Special Education teacher but I have taught every grade from kindergarten to college level. In the future, I would like to work in higher education. I absolutely love writing and editing of all kinds; I enjoy semi-colons, extended motifs, and Oxford commas. Poetry is my favorite type of work to write. In my spare time, I enjoy experimenting with TikTok video creation as well as with makeup. I live in Kansas City with my wife and daughter.
Hello, I'm Mara Hesed. I live in Los Angeles with my partner, two kids, a guinea pig, and a kitten. I'm working on my Master's in Psychology for Marriage and Family Therapy. This is my second graduate degree after spending 20 years in the arts. My main areas of expertise are theatre and oil painting. But I've cast a wide net, so over the years, I have made many beautiful things ranging from puppet shows and children's books to religious pageantry and feminist performance art. A throughline for me has always been stories. I am constantly delighted and inspired by story-telling in all its many forms. And I feel privileged now to have the opportunity to support you in telling your best stories.
Hello, I am Mirabai Ingles (she/her), a native of West Virginia now living in Appalachian Ohio. I have a background in archaeology, but transitioned to the disabilities field after having children. Today I am a baker and a student in the low residency Art Therapy program out of AUNE. In my free time I enjoy playing roller derby and making crazy quilts. Writing has long been a source of both solace and frustration; the blank page terrifying and exhilarating. I'm excited to support fellow students navigate these challenges to achieve academic and personal success through writing.
Hello! My name is Jules Koh (She/they), and I am an aspiring marriage and family therapist enrolled in the Clinical Psychology program at Antioch, Los Angeles. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and earned a BA in English and Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign. Since graduating, I have lived in Seoul, South Korea, where I worked in a children’s theater during the day and ran a drag show at night. I have spent the last two years in San Diego, with my family, my partner, and my dog. My partner and I love to take my dog to the dog park, play video games, go to drag shows, see live music, and go on hikes. Writing and editing can feel like daunting tasks, so I am hoping that we can take on this challenge together!
Greetings, I am Mathew Korel. I graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Sociology in June 2024, and I am currently enrolled in the Clinical Psychology M.A. program at AULA. I thoroughly enjoy clinical psychology and hope to pursue research after completing my program. I am devoted to meticulously improving my writing as well as the writing of my peers, and I believe even the most expert writers can continue perfecting their craft.
Hi! My name is Marcus Krodel, but most people call me Max. I’m a First Year PsyD student at Antioch New England University. I did my undergrad at SCSU in New Haven, CT (Go Owls) and majored in Psychology. I then went on to get my Master’s in Forensic and Legal Psychology at Roger Williams University. I do not have much time outside of school, but when I can manage it, I like to go on mini-adventures around New Hampshire with my fiancée. When I am not outside, I’m usually in my chair playing PS5 or streaming shows through one of my five streaming subscriptions. I’m an avid fan of the Washington Football Team and the Boston Red Sox, and I occasionally attend their games. I am really excited to be a part of the VWC team, and I look forward to my time here at Antioch!
Hi! I am Angelina Moneir (she/her/hers), a current Art Therapy and Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student studying at Antioch University Seattle. I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD), focusing in glassblowing/ceramics and art therapy. As an artist and outdoor environmental educator – I am always on the move. Hiking, backpacking, kayaking, glassblowing, drawing/painting murals and designing tattoos – you name it. My passions lie in human connectivity with the natural world, while bringing awareness to its beauty that is often passed over or forgotten. The natural world’s vast intensity is what I find most inspiring. Being someone who loves to help and teach others – I am incredibly excited to work with all of you! (Trivia question : can you guess where in the world I have dual citizenship just by looking at me?)
Hey there, my name is Syd Olsen (She/they) and I am currently in the CFT with Art Therapy Master’s program at AUS. I started my BA at San Francisco State studying Poli Sci, but life circumstances brought me to Psychology! I completed my BA in Health Counseling and Psych at Antioch Seattle, and after finishing grad school, I hope to work with children and families through expression. I was born and raised in San Diego, CA, and lived in the Bay Area for a few years. I’ve been in Seattle since 2020, and absolutely love the spring and summer seasons here! Some of my passions include painting, drawing, expressive writing such as poetry, playing the guitar, and singing. I was a barista in specialty/third-wave coffee for several years before coming back to school. Writing is one of my favorite tools to communicate and connect with the world, it’s an honor to work with this community to grow these skills together!
Hello! My name is Stacy Rosevear (she/her/hers). I am currently in the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, Art Therapy track at AUS. I live in Tacoma, WA and work as much as possible in my art studio, mostly in oil but sometimes I make clay objects, layered mixed media pieces, and weave! Occasionally I travel and paint; painting outside in a place makes me slow down and use all my senses. A major health event in my late 20’s helped me reconsider my life path, passions, and goals. I went from being a trained mezzo soprano to visual artist after that and now, at Antioch, I am fulfilling some of those learning and vocational goals. Research is a particular fascination of mine. I love reading. Like making art, working at the VWC makes me a better writer and person by improving self expression and building communication skills. I look forward to working with you!
Hello! I’m Allie Stites (she/her) and I’m currently a student in the Couple and Family Therapy Master’s program at Antioch Seattle. My Bachelor’s degree is in human development and much of my time and focus has been working with children. I enjoy spending time with friends and family, hiking, running, working out, adventures, watching shows, and creative outlets. I look forward to being a part of your writing journey!
Hi! My name is Summer Vineyard (they/she), and I’m currently pursuing my MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, as well as the Gender Affirming Clinical Practice certificate, at AUNE. I live in Denver, Colorado, with my partner, dog, and cat. I’m passionate about human rights, language, psychology, education, philosophy, animals, plants, fungi, creativity… Too much to list really! My BA revolved around transpersonal anthropology and ethnobotany, and most of my previous work experience has been as an editor or educator. I consider myself to be a lifelong learner, curious about everything, and try to inspire that feeling in everyone I work with, students and peers alike. I’ve loved my time at Antioch so far and am excited to further enhance my experience—and, hopefully, others’ experiences as well—by joining the VWC!
VWC Staff
Hi, I’m John Dunham (they/he), the Director of the Virtual Writing Center. I’ve supported Antioch students through the VWC and the Antioch New England Writing Center for nearly a decade in various capacities, and I really love helping people to better develop and communicate their ideas. I started writing in a family with an intense interest in language; attended Marlboro College and enjoyed the school’s rigorous writing standards; and am the current editor of The Northeastern Caver, a regional publication of the National Speleological Society (caves being my other great love). My background in History, Writing, Linguistics, Asian Studies, Environmental Studies, and Social Justice Advocacy provides a broad knowledge base and appreciation for multiple kinds of writing, as well as a strong commitment to Antioch’s social justice mission. My prior experience also included Wilderness Therapy with at-risk youth in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, which provided invaluable tutoring, coaching, and leadership skills. I’m privileged to be able to contribute to student learning and student success here at Antioch, and even more so to work with the amazing people listed on this page. If you have questions, comments, suggestions, or ideas about how the VWC can be better, I’m always eager to hear them!
Hello and welcome to the Virtual Writing Center! I’m Anne Maxham, and I was Director of Writing Support and Faculty (Emeritus) for Antioch University through 2021. I came to Antioch University Seattle in 2000 as a faculty member in the School of Education in a program that genuinely reflected AU’s commitment to social justice through offering a rigorous BA + Teacher Preparation program for Seattle area para-educators. Through the years, I’ve developed writing support and programs at AUS, launched campus centers in AUNE and AUSB, and created professional editing support for doctoral writers in the Writers’ Exchange. I am proud to have founded a team of staff, faculty, and students deeply committed to support Antioch University writers wherever they are.
Work Study Positions
Working for the VWC
The VWC hires current Antioch students from any campus who are enrolled in a Master’s or Doctoral degree program and have a work-study award for the current academic year. Typical appointments are 10 hours per week for a minimum of one year, renewing on June 30 (the end of the Academic Year), and all work-study positions within the VWC pay at the same rate. The VWC does not close for quarterly or semester breaks except for Winter Break, between the second-to-last week of December and the second week of January.
Job Description: A VWC Peer Writing Consultant’s primary responsibility is to review and respond to student writing submissions. The Writing Consultant must have a strong proficiency in writing and facility with online communication. The consultant should be an effective collaborator and communicator, interested in supporting other AU students’ growth as writers, and interested in joining the conversation about composition/writing center theory and practice. The majority of the work of the VWC is responding to writers’ submissions and contributing to the VWC community. Peer Writing Consultants are responsible for monitoring the online queue for writing submissions and responding in a timely fashion. The Consultant begins with the oldest submission and provides feedback according to VWC protocols. Written responses are based on a hierarchy of needs: first, alignment with the assignment; second, higher-order concerns such as organization, information development, focus, and integration of source material; third, suggestions for lower-order concerns such as sentence structure, word choice, grammar, and syntax. In certain circumstances, the Consultant is advised to confer with the VWC Director or Coordinator before responding. Additionally, the Writing Consultant may confer with other students through synchronous virtual meetings. These meetings are scheduled on request, and each Peer Consultant will provide potential days during their normal shifts that they could also be available for a virtual session. The same protocols apply to these sessions, as well as additional elements for an effective in-person response. The Consultant’s remaining responsibilities involve professional development through reading resources available on the VWC and Consultant Sakai sites. Consultants also engage in monthly conversations with other consultants during staff meetings and regular one-on-one meetings with the VWC Coordinator. Most consultants are also engaged in other ancillary projects related to resource development and writing for the VWC Newsletter. Consultants are paid for all professional development time in addition to their shifts monitoring the VWC queue.
Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Adhere to established protocols of responding to student writing
- Monitor the VWC queue for writing submissions
- Respond to new writing submissions in a timely and appropriate fashion
- Assist in developing new materials and resources
- Participate in monthly staff meetings and stay current with required readings
- Represent the VWC on campus when needed
- Consistently read and respond to work-related emails
- Contribute to VWC newsletter
- Communicate and schedule work and absences with appropriate lead time
- Make up for any missed meetings through written engagement with meeting minutes.
Consultant Learning Objectives:
- Develop skills for offering authentic written feedback that fosters writers’ growth
- Deepen understanding of writing as an epistemology and cognitive process
- Acquire insight into the expanding frontier of online learning
- Practice reading written work and providing valuable feedback
To inquire about available positions, please e-mail us at vwc@antioch.edu.